Point + Shoot camera?
Or iPhone/iPad camera?
Which type of camera do you choose to photograph your products?
I have used all 3 at one time or another. But for a lot of the shots, I've used my iPhone or my iPad. Why? Because one or the other is always near me. It automatically uploads to iCloud, so I can post from my computer, iPad or iPhone. The quality is good for my listings on Etsy + my blog posts. If I am sending high resolution shots to an editor, I send my professional pics that Amy of Photography by Amy, took for me in the Spring & I send pics that I have taken with the Rebel.
If your phone takes crappy pictures. Don't post them! Bad pictures is doing a disservice to your handmade work + it's not showing that in the picture! Take the time to drag out a better camera, such as a point and shoot camera. Take several pictures, you aren't wasting film these days. Upload them. Edit them if needed. Then post.
If a picture needs to be edited + you need to had type to it, I recommend PicMonkey. It's simple + very user friendly for what I need.
We redid the basement about 16 months ago, thanks to a flooded basement + the July 1st hail storm of 2012. We made it teenager hangout friendly for the boys which consists of a small sink + counter top (to hold boxes of pizzaz)! Hubby is a self proclaimed designer (I just made that up), but he likes things certain ways + I don't argue because the end result is always way classier than I would have ever made it. Over the counter we have a few hanging lights. I set up my white foam board as the back drop + pressed fabric on the counter. It's very simple. It's great for small items.
I don't have to worry about natural lighting etc.
When I photograph tote bags or market bags, I will grab a straight pin and pin the handles to the board to keep them up (like it is hanging.
Have a clean background. By that I mean, don't take pictures of your products on a kitchen table + you can see the mess in the background. Wander thru Etsy + take note of all the pictures on there. They have nice clean lines. Someones kitchen is not in the background. Take the extra step to take streamlined pictures + that extra work will pay off in sales.
Taking up close shots is great because it zooms in on the detail of the product. I recommend not using the zoom on your cameras, just dig in + get close. It's not going to bite you!
I mentioned that I take 5 shots for the sake of Etsy. Here's my 5 shots.
1. Full shot of product (lying flat or in use)
2. Inside of product
3. Close up of brand tags + seams + zippers etc.
4. Side view (this shows the boxed corners on some of my products)
5. Fabric swatch up close.
The use of props. When you use props you are showing the potential customer what she/he can use the item for. Props don't have to be bought. Dig around your house for items that compliment your product but doesn't overwhelm the picture to the point that the product you are selling gets lost. For the wet bag sets, I had to dig in my kids "baby tote box" for some baby items. I have a prop box in my room with items that I use.