Every business is focused on capturing the online market and its potential to increase the product volumes sold and the market share. You need to ensure the products listed will attract attention and attract most customers to your site.
The first rule is to ensure all the product pictures posted are high quality hence the need for an experienced product photographer. Consumers are more interested in clear product photos that capture labels and other dimensions to enable them to develop a certain interest in your products.
Since they cannot see the product physically, you need to convince them with clear and high-definition product photos. A professional product photographer should be part of your online sales team and be up to the task. This includes frequently updating the photos and having only the best and clear images uploaded to the platform.
With the numerous people offering product photography services, selection can be challenging. This article saves you the selection dilemma by providing the best tips to get a qualified person for the job.
1. Check Previous Works
All professional photographers have portfolios for work done; hence you can ask them to provide online portfolios so that you assess the quality of the work done. Interested parties should share their online portfolio and website links.
On their portfolios, they will also list previous clients they worked for. Reach out to the clients for reviews and feedback about the work done before settling on your final pick for the job.
Besides the portfolios, the best product photography company has website albums listing their previous works and services offered. You can visit the website, review the albums, and read about their services, charges, and other relevant details.
While browsing through portfolios and websites, focus on whether they are up to date or not. Work with photographers whose websites and portfolios are updated with clear reviews of their past work and all the details, including dates. Photographers who value their reputation and deliver quality services will always update their profile.
Also, focus on the organization styles on these platforms. A product photographer should always value organization, visibility, and proper presentation. The website and portfolio organization can provide details about the photographer, i.e., their attention to detail, organization skills, and commitment to their work.
2. Request a Mini Shoot
Professional photographers offer a free mini shoot to showcase their talents and what to anticipate when you hire them. The mini-shoot is normally free; hence you should take advantage of it. You can select a few products and submit them for the mini-shoot.
When selecting the samples, consider those with dull packages and focus on how the final photos would look. Most online buyers are likely to be convinced by quality photos posted; hence you should ensure even the dullest packages are bright, shiny, and with more product and labeling details visible.
3. Get Recommendations
Instead of posting an opportunity for photographers to apply, you can ask a friend or business to share contacts of their previous or current outsourced photographers. This will save you the burden of interviews, mini shoots, and selecting from a pool.
Alternatively, you can ask for recommendations to narrow down a few photography experts to select from. Those recommended are likely to be of higher reputation and quality services. Your only job is to offer them trial and mini shoots and select the best from the pool.
Nearly all professionals have a local media profile to market their services. Just tweet or post your needs on your page or group pages, and potential photographers or those interested will contact you. For social media, you can also read client reviews and comments.
As they respond to your social media post, visit their social media handles, especially Instagram and Pinterest. From these two sites, you can gauge their commitment to quality photography. Once you notice a site with bright and best product photos, you can reach out for details and contact the person for a job.
If you post job openings on other sites, ask the applications to attach all their social media links for background research and verification.
4. Diversity is Key
When selecting a photographer, consider one who has worked on multiple projects. This is different products and with different companies dealing in different products. The rich experience will enable them to take up newer challenges or take the best shots similar to works previously done.
Also, during the mini shoot, sample different products and focus on the best shot for each product. Their perfection and accuracy when capturing different products should matter when selecting the photographer to work for you. Therefore, the candidate to qualify for the job must capture all the best images.
5. Tools and Resources
Most images presented on online sales platforms have undergone some edits. Not all aspects can be best captured by the photographs. Sometimes you need editing tools to increase visibility to make smaller package labels larger enough for users to read.
For quality work, they must have the best tools and resources, like the best cameras for product photography and all the camera essentials to take accurate and ultra-high definition pictures. Next, focus on the editing tools they use for their images to boost image quality and aspects.
Once they are done editing, you can compare the image quality with other contestants and works done previously. To learn more about the resources, they use, you can ask them to provide details and come with some of the tools, such as cameras and their accessories.
Also Read: Benefits of Using a 3 Point Slinger for Camera
Conclusion
An ideal product photographer is critical for product uptake and selection by users visiting your e-commerce website. Select the best photographer with an updated portfolio, website, and experience working with various companies. Also, pay attention to their expertise, taking the best images of different products you offer and the best tools and resources they have.
