I don't think Folksy can stress enough just how important your images are to prospective buyers. Thinking about it - it's the only way they can decide on whether to buy your item. I know I'm one of the first to look at my own items and think it really needs to be cleaner, brighter, cropped more, sharper or less cluttered and yet I still put it up.
There are suggestions on lots of help forums to set the scene, create an atmosphere, or keep backgrounds uncluttered and white or present your work holding it, don't put it on a person or always use natural bright light. So many ways and I for one, now need to be the designer and maker, the photographer, the branding expert, the networker and the stylist!!!
So I thought I'd show what I consider as good images and photography. My mantra in anything I do is to use the KISS approach - keep it simple stupid!! (well, most of the time) So all the Folksy aficionados, please give us and our readers your twopence worth too - we'd love to hear what you think or do you have any hints for us?
Contrasting backgrounds work well but be very careful as black backgrounds can be too harsh for certain colours and items. This photograph enhances the cream card and image really well.
Nice clean (and white!) background - all too often I see grey/off white. It's uncluttered and not fighting with anything else so I know what I'm getting.
A beautiful scene setter here creating a lifestyle image too - just a simple brown couch and nicely cropped. I'm interested in this so I would go and see the next image to look at the details - it's caught my eye.
Natural backgrounds enhance work beautifully, again, this is a clear no nonsense photograph showing exactly what you would get - it's clear and sharp and uncluttered.
Lovely photograph here - I can see clearly the scale of the hair clip as there is a lovely model present who has been dressed to complete 'the look'. I don't design personal items such as scarves, dresses, cardis, or hair accessories and perhaps shop owner Janine can offer advice here. But, do you show the item on a human being or not? Are buyers concerned about hygiene etc? Should you use a dummy or a teacup accessorie type thing to show your work off? I shall let you ponder this......
A great example of cropping and the use of a cup edge? to hang the earrings on. Just what I discussed about the hairclip above. It is also possible to show your work without wearing it if you're concerned about this hygiene question. Good use here of the micro setting we all have on our digital camera these days and a very steady hand!
You don't have to always show the full item. I love this excellent close-up cropped image that I would call a 'tease' image. I like the colours and patterns shown so I would go on to check out the other images and find out more about the items. Notice the shop's name on the image - sometimes a great idea especially like this photo, where it is subtle and doesn't take over the picture.
This is not an exhaustive range of successful photographic techniques that work really well but they are a good starting point for any Folksy newbies or shops that are reviewing their items to improve them. I am about to go over to my shop and see if I can do better too.
