Tag: embroidery business

How to Photograph Products

A good product photograph may be one of the greatest selling tools you have, but getting a good photograph isn’t always as easy as we want it to be. Lighting plays a role. Staging plays a role. There are so many factors that go into not just making a photograph good, but making it one that sells a product. If you’re working to photograph your work for your business, here are some tips to help you get the best photos possible.

First up, keep in mind that it is possible to get a good, usuable product photo from a smartphone, if your smartphone has a good camera. If you plan to use your phone to take product photos on a regular basis, it’s wise to do research on cellphone cameras before you buy your phone. According to Digital Camera World, in 2023, the cellphone brands with the best cameras are Google Pixel 7 Pro, the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra, and the Apple iPhone 14 Pro. If you want to take product photos with your phone often, it’s best to invest in one with the best camera that you can afford.

Next, whether you’re using a smartphone or a digital camera, invest in a sturdy tripod. While we all want to think we can hold things perfectly steady, that isn’t always the case. A tripod eliminates any wiggle or shake, even the most miniscule one, and ensures that you’ll have clear, in focus, blur free product photos every time. You can find a mini tripod on Amazon for $20 or less.

Once you have the method for taking the picture set, it’s time to stage your photo. What this means, essentially, is that you’re building the story you want your photo to tell. First, have a good neutral backdrop, which won’t interfere or compete with the product you’re showcasing. Next, build your atmosphere. Include the props you want to use, which should also be designed to be complimentary to and to showcase the main product. If you’re showcasing a baby onsie, maybe you have stuffed animals in the picture, or a baby carriage. If it’s embroidered rain boots, maybe you have an umbrella. The idea is to help set the scene in the viewer’s mind and get them thinking about how they’d use the item you’re showcasing.

It is important to have good light for your photos. Moody lighting has its place, but you want to avoid having photos that look dark, or photos that are so bright everything looks washed out. Your best bet, if possible, is to shoot in a room with lots of natural light. This 6 step tutorial from Shopify should help you use natural lighting for your product shots.

Keep in mind that shooting photos from different angles can help your customers get a full overview of the product. Generally, there are five angles that are useful. Eye level is looking straight at the product. High angle shows the product as if you were looking down at it from an angle. Low angle is the view as if you were looking up from the floor. Bird’s eye, as the name implies, is the view as if you were flying overhead. Lastly, slanted shows the product from one side.

Finally, remember that you can do a lot to create great photos with editing. You can color balance, add brightness, crop out items you don’t want or need and use a variety of other editing tricks to improve photos. If you’re a novice when it comes to editing pictures, this article may give you some useful tips.

Where to Sell Your Work

For some people who do embroidery, one of the prime venues for selling what they make can be craft fairs or trade shows. Such events can be a great option for sales, but they also take a lot of work. There may be a booth or a table to set up. All the stock needs to be transported. Depending on the set-up, you might be on your feet for hours and hours. And then, when the event is over, all the merchandise that didn’t sell has to be repacked, the set-up has to pulled down and loaded up, and it all has to go back to your workspace, to be unpacked, sorted and stored. That can be a lot of work, and it’s not necessarily work that everyone wants to do or can do. If that’s your situation, here are some ideas for places you can sell that might suit you better.

Etsy – Most people who embroider and familiar with Etsy. If, by some chance you aren’t, Etsy is a marketplace that specializes in vintage and handmade items. It’s a place where a lot of designers, artisans and creators sell. For some, it can be a very fertile platform for sales. Just be aware that Etsy does have fees and rules and that it may not suit everyone. Still, it does have the advantage of a dedicated customer base, and a platform that is known and trusted. Just do your research before deciding if this platform is right for you. Make sure you fully understand all the fees and requirements.

Facebook/Instagram Shops – If you are on social media, specifically Facebook or Instagram, having a shop on your profile or page might be a good option for you. This option is designed to take advantage of traffic you already have on your pages and profiles and allow your customers to buy right on Facebook or Instagram. Keep in mind to utilize this option you will have to add all your products to your desired platform which could be a time consuming process. Your business will also need to be eligible to set up a shop.

Create Your Own Site – There are a variety of software packages and sites that can help you create your own online store. Shopify, WooCommerce, and Ecwid to name just a few. The advantage to having your own site is that it’s all under your control. The disadvantage is that it’s all under your control. You have to figure out how to set up payment options. You have to add necessary information and products. You have to figure out where and how to host the site. There is more control over having a site that is yours that you host, but there are also more issues that need to be handled. If you’re not tech savvy or interested in having to deal with the details of setting up a site, this most likely will not be the option for you.

Amazon Handmade – Created as an alternative to Etsy, Amazon Handmade isn’t as well known, but it could be an option for your business. Amazon Handmade is for artisans and has an application process to sell on their platform. They require you have a professional selling account which comes with a fee, and they take 15% of every sale you make. If that doesn’t sound like a great deal, it might not be, except for the fact that selling on this platform does give you access to Amazon’s audience and marketing budget. Read all the fine print, but this might be a good option for some businesses.

Have a Brick and Mortar – Another option for selling product might be to set up a storefront or to work out of your home. The advantage of a storefront is that you might be able to connect and network with other merchants in your town and you will be in a set place to which people can bring the work they want done. A disadvantage is that stores need to be set up and maintained, you will either need to rent or buy space and you need to be there during set hours. Some business owners get around this by working from their homes, but that may entail letting people into your home and sometimes makes work far too easy to access. There are trade offs with either option.

The thing to remember about selling is there’s always a way to do it if you look hard enough. The Internet has made it easier to reach more people than ever before, so it’s just a matter of doing your research, finding the option you think will work best for you and getting started.