How to take pictures of clothes for online sale: A Step by Step Guide

Blog Thumbnail of How To Take Pictures Of Clothes For Online Sale

To know how to take pictures of clothes for online sale, you must know that good pictures of products are really important. When the pictures are clear and show the product well, it helps customers decide if they want to buy it. When an online store has professional-looking photos, it makes the brand look good and trustworthy. 

People are more likely to trust the company and engage with it on social media. Product photos also make the brand more relatable and create new ways for the business to sell things, making it more efficient. The quality of product pictures, how many pictures there are, and the colors used all affect whether people decide to buy something online. There’re a bunch of considerations to make for doing clothing photography perfectly. From preparation to uploading on the e-commerce store. So, In this article we’ll explore these facts about clothing photography for online sale

Display Style for The Apparel Photography

Amazing clothing photography ideas often get by this phase. Clothing photography for online sales can be done using various methods, each with its own unique advantages. Here are some of the most common methods:

Use Model

Clothing Display by Model

It’s also important to choose a model who makes the clothes look good and fits the vision of your brand. To save time and make sure the poses match what you want, you can create a mood board and have a list of references. It is one of the best styles to add a realistic touch. With models, the pose matters the most. Some good poses for fashion photos include facing the camera with legs apart. Also sitting facing the camera with knees pulled up, and leaning slightly on one hip with one hand on the opposite hip and the other hand on the head. To avoid a double chin, make sure the model lifts their neck or moves their face a bit forward.

Mannequin Photography

Clothing Display by Mannequin

When you want to show off clothes online, you can use a mannequin to help people see how they look when someone wears them. The mannequin should be the right size for the clothes and positioned to make the clothes look good. One cool trick is the “ghost mannequin” effect, where the mannequin is removed later using a computer. This makes it seem like the clothes are floating in the air. To do this, you take pictures of the clothes from different angles and put them together on a computer.

Flat Lay Photography

Clothing Display by Flatley

In this method, you lay out the clothes on a flat surface and take pictures from directly above. This is great for showing many pieces at the same time and for highlighting the textures and details of the clothes. Before taking the pictures, make sure the clothes are clean, without wrinkles, and in good condition. You can also use props like jewelry, shoes, flowers, etc.

Hanger Photography

Clothing Display by Hanger

This is a cheap and easy way to take pictures of clothes. You hang the clothes on a hanger and take a photo. This is great for showing how the clothes look, their details, and how they’re presented. Make sure to hang the clothes with some space between them in a room. This way, you get a nice picture where the hanger and clothes look like they’re floating.

The Essential Equipments to Take Clothing Photography

Capturing stunning images of clothing requires the right equipment. Ensure you have these essential tools and accessories:

Camera

Look for a camera that performs well in capturing clear images, even in low-light conditions. Consider features such as manual controls, interchangeable lenses, and a sizable sensor. DSLRs and mirrorless cameras are popular choices for this purpose.

Lenses

Choose lenses with focal lengths ranging from 35mm to 85mm for optimal clothing photography. These lenses provide sharp and versatile images suitable for various situations.

Lighting Equipment and Setups

Invest in lighting equipment like studio lights, softboxes, and stands also you can try DIY lightbox for it. Use diffusers and reflectors to control brightness and enhance the appearance of the clothing. Consider employing a backdrop system or seamless paper for a clean and professional-looking background.

6 Steps on How To Photograph Clothes

Make sure you follow each step without skipping so that it checks the best way for our purpose on how to take pictures of clothes for online sale and maximize the exposure of your business.

Step 1: Get the Clothes Ready

Prepare your clothes for photos by removing tags and wrinkles. Make sure the clothes are in good condition, and fix any damages.

Step 2: Set Up the Photo Studio

Turn any room into a photo studio by using a camera, tripod, white wall, and natural light. Clear clutter for a clean workspace.

Step 3: Position the Lighting

Use natural light or set up a controlled lighting system. Position lights at a 45-degree angle for even lighting. Adjust settings using your camera’s light meter. For instance in clothing lighting, place your product near a window for natural light or set up lights angle for balanced reflection.

Step 4: Styling

Consider using models, mannequins, or flat lay techniques for your clothing photos. Experiment with different styles to showcase your products effectively.

Step 5: Set Up the Camera

Adjust camera settings for ISO, aperture, and white balance. Keep ISO low for clear photos, choose a higher aperture for focus, and set white balance for accurate colors.Set your camera to ISO 600-640 for clear photos, choose a higher aperture for focus, and adjust white balance to capture accurate colors.

Step 6: Take the Photo

Point your camera, focus, and take shots from different angles. Capture front and back views, close-ups, and unique details.

Post-Production for Clothing Photography

If you only know how to take pictures of clothes won’t make the whole thing for you. Because, post-production for clothing photography for ecommerce is a critical phase where images are refined and enhanced to showcase the garments in the best possible light. Here are some common post-production techniques used in this field:

Color Grading: Adjusting the colors in an image to achieve a specific look or to correct color imbalances. This can help ensure that the colors of the clothing in the photos match the actual colors of the garments

Retouching: This involves cleaning up the image by removing stains, dust, or scratches and correcting any imperfections on the clothing, such as wrinkles or creases. Retouching can also include editing out pins or other styling tools used during the shoot

Background Editing: Often, the background of a clothing image is edited or removed to minimize distractions and focus attention on the garment. This can involve replacing the background with a solid color or making it transparent for use on various e-commerce platforms

Adjusting Lighting and Exposure: Post-production allows photographers to adjust the exposure of an image to ensure that the clothing is lit correctly. This can involve brightening shadows or reducing highlights to reveal more detail in the garments

Cropping and Composition: Images may be cropped to improve their composition, highlight certain aspects of the clothing, or to fit specific format requirements for online stores

HDR Imaging and Focus Stacking: For more advanced applications, techniques like HDR imaging and focus stacking can be used to ensure that every part of the clothing is in focus and well-exposed

Reflection and Shadow Creation: Adding or editing shadows and reflections can give clothing a more natural and grounded appearance in the image, making it look less like it was simply superimposed onto a background

Optimize Your Clothing Image Before Uploading

When setting up an e-commerce store, there are several key areas to focus on: image optimization, product descriptions, SEO, and mobile optimization. To make your pictures look great on your website, follow these tips. Use clear and sharp images that are at least 1000 pixels in size. Keep the file sizes small, under 70 kilobytes, so your site loads quickly. Choose JPEG format for good quality. Give your images simple names, add descriptions, and use a white background. Show your products from different angles and in real-life situations to help customers imagine using them. When describing your products, focus on who would like them, what benefits they offer, and use simple words that appeal to the senses. Use bullet points for easy reading and include reviews from customers to build trust. Also, use important words in the names and descriptions to help your products show up in online searches.

Remember that many people use their phones to browse the internet, so make sure your website looks good on small screens. Use a design that adjusts to different screen sizes and make sure your images still look good on smaller screens. More than 60% of people browse online using their phones, so it’s essential to think about them when setting up your website.

Conclusion

So, here’s a wrap up on how to take pictures of clothes to sell. By following the right techniques, such as using natural light, creating a suitable backdrop, and paying attention to the clothing’s details, one can achieve high-quality clothing photography. And drawing inspiration from fashion photography examples can help generate new ideas and approaches for a photoshoot.

author
Isaac Travis is a versatile professional photographer who developed his skills across different fields such as commercial shoots, product photography, and model photography. With a knack for capturing the essence of his subjects, Isaac brings creativity and precision to every project he takes on. His diverse skill set and passion for photography make him a trusted choice for clients seeking captivating images that stand out.