Getting ahead in the e-commerce industry these days is all about how good your product photos look in the store. Without quality photos, you can never convince visitors or potential customers to buy or try out your product. Especially, when the product is a shoe, you have to use the best possible picture to showcase the product.
That’s why, here we have a complete shoe product photography guide for you to perfect shoe photos. You will get to know about the best ways to take shoe photos, the gears required for the best quality, studio setup, and editing. Along with that, we leave some creative tips on making shoes look appealing in photos.
This guide is the perfect photography solution for any e-commerce store owner, retailer, manufacturer, or someone selling shoes on platforms like Amazon, Etsy, eBay, Shopify, etc. Also, newbie product photographers can get a lot of value out of it. Let’s get started.
How Professional Shoe Photoshoots Drive E-commerce Growth?
Customers can’t touch or try out your shoes when it comes to online shopping. They will see the photo and then base their decision on their judgment of those photos. Quality photos can leave a psychological effect on people wanting to purchase from your online shop, which then translates to e-commerce growth in various ways.
Here are some key benefits you get from professional shoe photoshoots in your e-commerce business.
1. Increased Click-Through Rates and Conversions
Click-through rate is the metric that determines the rate of people who see your product listings and click on them to learn more. If you have a higher CTR it means you have grabbed the attention of your targeted audience successfully and brought them to your platform.
When you use professional photos in your e-commerce website, they entice customers to click on your product listings, leading to a higher chance of them exploring further and ultimately making a purchase. With crisp, detailed images showcasing the shoe’s true features and quality, you can make sure the visitors just don’t leave as visitors, but instead convert as customers in the process.
2. Enhanced Customer Confidence
Running an e-commerce store and making it a successful venture are two different things. Without customers having confidence in your business, you can never grow it and make it successful. If you can gain that customer confidence in e-commerce your way to succeed becomes much easier than you would think.
Using high-quality images that allow customers to zoom in and examine the shoe’s construction, materials, and design elements increases their confidence in the product. This transparency builds trust and reduces the hesitation associated with online shoe purchases.
3. Highlighting Design and Functionality
Here’s the thing, customers want to see the product and if they are functional for their purpose or not. By highlighting these aspects of the shoes on your e-commerce website you will give the visitors the information they need to make for their buying decision. It just adds convenience and value to your e-commerce store.
The best way you can highlight the design and functionality of shoes is through quality photos. You can use close-up shots to showcase intricate stitching and unique textures like patent leather or woven fabrics. Also by capturing proper details, you can show off features like breathable mesh or supportive soles, highlighting the shoe’s functionality.
4. Building Brand Image and Credibility
Taking any business to the next level depends on building a strong brand image and credibility. Factors like brand reputation, visual elements, messaging, and customer trust can create a separate identity for the business amongst people. It works great for capturing markets and boosting e-commerce growth.
Using professional quality photos in your e-commerce store can be a great way to increase that brand authority. They subconsciously communicate that you take pride in your products and care about customer experience. This fosters brand loyalty and attracts customers who value quality and attention to detail.
5. Increased Customer Engagement
Engaging with your customers or your potential customers is a great way to grow your business, as it increases your popularity among the people. When you engage with customers, it shows your dedication to building a strong customer relationship.
You can use quality product photos on your social media platforms like Instagram or Pinterest to create visually appealing posts and stories. These photos showcase your shoes in action and expose them to a wider audience. Eventually, it sparks customer engagement, generating brand awareness, and driving traffic to your e-commerce store.
Shoe Photography Essentials: Gear Guide for Professional Shots
Now that you know why you need professional shoe images for your business, it’s time to take the first step towards shoe photography, which is the gears. While gears don’t decide the quality of the photos, they certainly are necessary to capture professional-looking photos. So, let’s get through the most basic gear you will need to start your shoe photography journey today.
1. Camera
When it comes to cameras you get three choices, such as DSLR cameras, Mirrorless cameras, and smartphone cameras. If you use high-end phones like iPhone 11 or later, Samsung Galaxy series, or even Google Pixel, then you can start your journey with these smartphone cameras.
But if you want to do it professionally, you have to either get a DSLR camera or a Mirrorless camera. Both are quite good, it’s just about which one you prefer.
DSLR cameras
If you want the best quality photos, especially in low lighting conditions, DSLR cameras will be a perfect choice for you. Also, they are much more affordable in comparison..
Mirrorless cameras
For better portability and faster autofocus, you can pick mirrorless cameras over DSLR cameras. They are very lightweight and great for use in typical conditions.
2. Lens
Having the right lens can significantly impact the detail you can capture and the creative effects you can achieve. There are typically two different lens choices out there for shoe photography, macro lens and prime lens. While a macro lens ensures crisp close-ups, a prime lens lets you get creative with the background.
In general, it’s better to go with a macro lens for product photography. For shoes, you can capture intricate details like stitching, textures, and logos with exceptional clarity. Try getting a 100mm lens for this purpose.
However, if you don’t want the closeups, you can go with a prime lens and get more focus on the overall shoe. With prime lenses, you can get a completely blurred-out background which puts all the focus on the shoes only. It’s best to either get a 35mm or 50mm lens.
However, the best approach is to get one macro lens and one prime lens for versatility.
3. Tripod
While you may not realize but, a tripod is crucial for achieving sharp photos, especially when using slower shutter speeds or working with macro lenses. it eliminates camera shake, ensuring sharp, focused images. This is very crucial if you want to ensure that the shoe photos come out perfect in terms of sharpness and clarity.
Get tripods with adjustable legs that allow for positioning flexibility to achieve various angles. Also, consider a weight capacity that can handle your camera and lens setup.
4. Lighting
One of the most critical factors in shoe photography is the lighting. Without perfect lighting, you can never make the shoe photographs look appealing enough for your customers. You can use natural lighting or studio lighting according to your preference. But if you have natural light available, use that because it’s great for clicking photos.
For a natural light setup, you can simply have the setup close to a window or set everything up outside. To create a studio lighting setup, you need some equipment like softboxes, reflectors, speedlights, light tents, and so forth. These pieces of equipment help you create soft diffused to make the shoes look enticing.
5. Backdrop
To make sure your shoes are the highlight of the photograph, you have to use a backdrop. Not only they are great for keeping the shoes in focus, but the backdrop can also impact the mood and feel of your photos.
You can go for a white or seamless backdrop which will create a much cleaner and professional-looking environment. Whereas colored backdrops can add personality to your photos making the photos even more appealing.
However, choose colors that complement the shoe’s color scheme to avoid creating a distracting background.
Shoe Photography Setup: Setting Up the Shoot
Now that you have your essential gear, it’s time to create a photography setup that will make your shoes shine. Let’s check out how to take pictures of sneakers step by step.
1. Prepping Your Studio Space
The first thing is to prepare your studio space for the shoe photoshoot. Find a clean, clutter-free space where you can comfortably set up your camera, tripod, lighting, and backdrop.
Also, try choosing a sturdy surface as your base so that you get stability and avoid any shakiness in the photo. You can use a tabletop or a dedicated product photography platform for this.
2. Backdrop Bliss
The backdrop is a crucial factor to consider when setting up for your shot. Always opt for a clean, white, or seamless backdrop for a classic and versatile look. It’s the easiest way to get a proper backdrop without any hassle. But if you are using a colored backdrop, just make sure it doesn’t get too distracting.
After you select the perfect backdrop, you have to hang it on a stand or secure it to the wall using clamps. Make sure the backdrop you are using is wrinkle-free and extends beyond the edges of the frame so that it covers the whole background in the image.
3. Lighting the Stage
Perfect lighting is the next and most important step to clicking the best shoe photos for your business. If you are using natural light, make sure to choose an overcast day for diffused light. Try to position your setup near a window, but just don’t put the shoes under direct sunlight as they can create harsh shadows.
If you are not satisfied with the sunlight or natural light isn’t working out for you, then you can opt for studio lighting. It gives you more control if you have the right kind of setup. You can use a softbox or light tent to get a soft diffused light effect just like the sunlight.
Position the light source in front of your shoes, and slightly angle it to minimize shadows. You can experiment with diffusers or white bounce cards to further soften the light even more.
4. Camera and Tripod Placement
Once you have found the perfect lighting setup, move on to setting up your camera for the photoshoot. Mount your camera on the tripod and adjust the height for the desired angle. Typically, a 45-degree angle is a good starting point, and from there you can start adjusting. Ensure the tripod is stable to avoid camera shake.
As for the camera settings, you can try out different settings based on your liking. For instance, if you are looking to get sharp photos, adjust your aperture for a deeper depth of field something around f/8 or higher. Then, experiment with shutter speed and ISO depending on your lighting setup to get the perfect shot.
5. Prepping the Shoes
The last step before clicking a shoe picture is to prepare the shoe for the shot just like you would need to put makeup on a model before the shoot. Meticulously clean your shoes, removing any dust, dirt, or wrinkles that might show up in photos. A clean shoe is a must when you are shooting for your online business.
Aside from a clean shoe, you also need a shoe that maintains the correct shoe form. You can use clean, white, rolled-up tissue paper or professional shoe shapers to maintain the shoe’s natural form and prevent it from sagging. This will ensure that the shoes look their best in the final image.
Tips to Shoot Shoe Product Photos for E-commerce Store
Well, after you have followed the basic steps, you can always have room for improvement. That’s why, we will leave you with some expert tips on how to take pic of shoes. Follow these steps to improve your shoe photography and give it a new level.
- Use a tripod and adjust the aperture for crisp focus to make sure photos are sharp.
- Capture various angles and close-ups to showcase details like stitching or logos.
- Maintain a uniform background across all product photos for a clean look.
- Edit photos for brightness, contrast, and white balance consistency.
- Play around with lighting positions to achieve different effects.
- Add some drama with backlighting effects in some photos.
- Always use the rule of thirds for visually appealing composition.
- Use complementary accessories like socks, hats, or a bag for some unique lifestyle shots.
- Adjust your shutter speed to avoid camera shake, especially if you’re not using a tripod.
- Use a small aperture to achieve a deep depth of field.
- Ensure your white balance is set correctly to capture the shoes’ colors accurately
Post-Processing and Editing
While capturing high-quality photos in-camera is crucial, post-processing and editing are the magic touch that transforms good shoe photos into exceptional ones. You will need to have post-processing in your photos, either you do it yourself or get a product photo editing service company to do it for you.
Post-processing can provide you with the following benefits.
- It ensures even the finest details of your shoes like stitching, and textures are showcased in the photo.
- Editing helps maintain a consistent visual style across all your product photos.
- You can get the correct white balance and ensure accurate colors on your shoes.
- There are some specific size and format requirements for product photos which you can get with editing software.
Typically, shoe photos require three crucial post-processing steps to achieve the perfect results. These are –
1. Basic Adjustments:
The basic adjustment on post-processing is all about adjusting the light and making sure you get the perfect balance of shadows and highlights.: Fine-tune the brightness and contrast for optimal image clarity. You can make your shoes pop more with a slightly brighter image with a touch more contrast.
Also, adjust the white balance to make sure the photo doesn’t look too warm or too cool. In short, you have to make sure the shoes in the images look as they are in real.
2. Retouching and Color Correction:
To make the shoes look even better you can use a photo retouching process and some color correction for the proper color representation. Tools like brushes or gradients are great for selectively adjusting specific areas of the photo. This can be helpful for brightening shadows or bringing out specific colors in shoes.
You also need to address minor imperfections in the photos like dust spots or stray threads. It’s very easy to remove those using the healing brush or clone stamp tool.
When optimizing product photo shadow creation, keep in mind that you are not overdoing things here because it can easily make the photos look edited. You want to edit while still retaining the natural effect in the photos.
3. Resizing and Formatting for E-commerce Platforms:
Whether you have your e-commerce store website, or you want to sell shoes on Amazon, Etsy, Shopify, or other such platforms, resizing is very important. All these platforms have their specific image size requirements. Resize your photos accordingly to ensure proper display without compromising quality.
Also, when you are uploading the photos, you have to upload them in the correct format. Choose the appropriate file format like JPEG for most photos, striking a balance between image quality and file size. Some platforms might require specific formats, so be sure to check their guidelines.
Creative Shoe Product Photography Ideas to Stand Out
Creativity is something that can set you apart from everyone else. The most effective aspect where you can be as creative as you want in photography is with angles. That’s why, here are some creative ideas that can set you apart from the competition while making you appealing to the customers.
1. Shots from the Side View
Don’t just stick to a flat side profile when clicking photos of your shoes. Tilt the shoe slightly about 5 degrees to create a dynamic look that reveals more depth and dimension. It will help you emphasize the overall silhouette and design of the shoes from this angle.
2. Shots from the Top View
This perspective is particularly effective for sneakers or open-toed shoes. You can showcase the intricate details on the top of the shoe, like laces, buckles, unique patterns, or any interesting closure using this angle. Consider placing the shoe slightly off-center for an even more artistic composition.
3. Shots from the Front View
While you may think there is not much to capture using a front-view, you are gravely mistaken. This angle is great for emphasizing the shoe’s symmetry and details on the front, like logos, embellishments, or unique lacing styles. You can play around with the background to create a contrasting or complementary effect using this angle for your photoshoots.
4. Shots from the Back View
Plenty of sneakers and shoes out there with some exciting and very appealing designs on the back. You can highlight those design elements on the heel or ankle area which are visually interesting for shoes with unique backs or straps. It can also add a touch of mystery, intriguing viewers to see the full shoe.
5. Shots from the 45-degree Angle
This versatile angle offers a balance between the side and front view. It provides a more detailed perspective of the shoe’s shape and design, showcasing both the profile and some details on the front. It’s a great all-rounder for capturing the essence of the shoe.
6. Capture pairs of shoes
Shoes come in pairs, so why not show them to your customers together? You can showcase a complete pair of shoes, positioned slightly apart with the toes facing inward for a natural look. This reinforces that you’re selling a complete pair, not a single shoe. Add a bit of dynamic appeal by having one shoe slightly in front of the other.
7. Capture still-life shoe photos
If you want to make the products look more natural and out of the traditional “product photography” appearance, click some lifestyle photos. Arrange the shoes with complementary accessories like socks, hats, or a bag to create a lifestyle scene. This helps customers visualize how the shoes can be incorporated into an outfit and inject personality into the photo.
8. Capture every detail of the shoes
Another creative way to present your shoes on the website is by getting all the details within the photo. Utilize macro lenses or close-up shots to capture intricate stitching, unique textures of materials like leather or canvas, or any other noteworthy details that set your shoes apart.
9. Shots from a floating angle
An effective way to add a sense of lightweight and mobility to your shoe photos is by making them floating an angle. You can clear fishing lines for a unique, eye-catching presentation. It adds a touch of whimsy and makes the shoes appear to be denying the existence of gravity in the images. It’s very appealing to see.
10. Shots of shoes in flat lay style
Arrange the shoes flat on a surface alongside complementary accessories or clothing items. This creates a visually appealing composition perfect for social media marketing or lifestyle product presentations. Experiment with different patterns and textures in the background to complement the shoes.
11. Capture the packaging shot
Lastly, include a photo of the shoes neatly placed in their original packaging. You can add a touch of realism, demonstrating the complete customer experience including unboxing. It also showcases the branding elements on the packaging creating a sense of anticipation for the customer.
Conclusion
There you go, after going through this complete guide on how to photograph shoes, you will never get disappointed with shoe product photos. It doesn’t matter if you are a professional product photographer, an e-commerce owner, a retailer, or a manufacturer, this guide will help everyone.
Use the shoe photography ideas for clicking the pictures and utilize the post-processing techniques to achieve perfection. If you feel like you don’t have the time, you can always rely on professional services to get them done.
