How to Take High-Quality Product Photography of Your Embroidered Goods
Capturing high-quality photos of your embroidered goods is essential for showcasing your craftsmanship and attracting customers. Great photography highlights the intricate details of your designs and helps convey the quality of your work and can help increase your shop's sales. Here are some tips to help you take stunning photos of your embroidered items:
1. Iron
Ironing your embroidered item and making it look as crisp as possible is sometimes the simplest tip that makes the biggest impact. Once your item is ironed, fold your garment neatly and stage it for your photo. Be sure to use your hand to smooth out the item so it looks as neat as possible for your photo.
2. Use Multiple Ring Lights
Lighting is one of the most critical aspects of product photography. Proper lighting helps to eliminate shadows, highlight details, and create a bright, inviting image.
- Invest in Ring Lights: Ring lights are excellent for providing even lighting. Using multiple ring lights can help to remove shadows and ensure your product is well-lit from all angles.
- Positioning: Place one ring light directly in front of your product and another one at a 45-degree angle from above. This setup helps to minimize shadows and creates a well-lit environment.
I use a few different ring lights in my set-up. I use two 10" ring lights on either side of the garment and a taller 18" ring light above my table. Here's what I have:
https://amzn.to/3YlntR0
3. Maximize Natural Light
Natural light can enhance the colors and textures of your embroidery. It provides a soft, natural look that artificial lighting sometimes cannot replicate.
- Choose the Right Time: The best time to take photos with natural light is during the day, preferably in the morning or late afternoon when the light is soft and diffused. I always try to take my photos on a sunny day.
- Use Windows: Position your product near a window to capture as much natural light as possible. Avoid direct sunlight, as it can create harsh shadows and overexposed areas. Sometimes my best photos are taken on my kid's trampoline in the toy room. The windows in our toy room have the best lighting!
4. Use a Clean Background
A clean, uncluttered background helps to keep the focus on your embroidered product.
- Solid Colors: Use a solid-colored backdrop that contrasts with your product to make it stand out. White, black, or neutral colors work well. I found a table runner at TJ Maxx that has great coverage and is a neutral color. This one is similar to what I have: https://amzn.to/3zEKiox
- Textures: For a more creative approach, use textured backgrounds like wooden boards or fabric, but ensure they don't distract from your product. I use a variety of placemats that I have found at TJ Maxx. I like to keep a bucket of photo props that include a variety of placemats, ribbons, holiday specific floral picks and various other items that enhance my photos. These placemats help add dimension to my photos: https://amzn.to/3zFEU4H
5. Capture the Details
Your customers will want to see the fine details of your embroidery work. Ensure you capture these in your photos.
- Close-Up Shots: Take close-up shots to highlight the intricate stitches and textures of your embroidery.
- Angles: Shoot from different angles to show the depth and dimension of your designs.
6. Use a Tripod
A tripod helps to keep your camera steady, resulting in sharper images.
- Stability: Using a tripod ensures that your camera remains still, reducing the risk of blurry photos.
- Consistency: It also helps maintain consistent angles and framing, making your product photos look professional and uniform.
7. Edit Your Photos
Post-processing can enhance the quality of your photos and make them look more polished.
- Editing Software: Use photo editing software like Adobe Photoshop or Lightroom to adjust brightness, contrast, and color balance.
- Minor Adjustments: Make minor adjustments to enhance the details and ensure the colors in your photos accurately represent your embroidered products. A variety of apps are great for this like PicTapGo, Canva, etc.
8. Practice and Experiment
Photography is a skill that improves with practice. Don’t be afraid to experiment with different lighting setups, backgrounds, and angles.
- Trial and Error: Try different setups to see what works best for your products.
- Feedback: Get feedback from others to understand what works and what can be improved.
By following these tips, you can take high-quality photos that showcase the beauty and craftsmanship of your embroidered goods. For more detailed guides and product photography tips, stay tuned to our blog at AW Stitches Designs.
Happy photographing!