Updated Sep 04,2024
Enterprise

Etsy Product Photography Tips: How to Sell Lots of Products

Etsy is one of the most extensive e-commerce shops in the world, hosting over 500 million visitors monthly. In 2023, it made $2.74 billion, a 7% year-over-year increase. Although Etsy's overall merchandise volume decreased to $13.1 billion, it made up for its loss with a $300 million net income. With such a large marketplace, success requires more than simply listing products; it demands eye-catching product photography that grabs your customer's attention.

However, good product photography is one of the best ways to increase sales on Etsy. With adequate lighting, clear backgrounds, and various angle views, your shop will look even better and attract more customers. So, if you sell things on Etsy, the photos of your items are the first thing people see about them. They are very important in deciding whether someone clicks on your offering or scrolls past it.

Even, your product images can make a huge difference in converting casual visitors into serious buyers and increasing sales. Here, we will cover everything you need to know about making Etsy pictures, including-

  • Why product photos matter on Etsy?
  • What are the best photo formats for Etsy listings?
  • Is there any app I should use for Etsy Photos?
  • Top 8 tips for taking better Etsy product photos
  • Etsy's 5 most essential types of product photos
  • How to take Etsy photos to increase sales: 5 simple steps

Why Product Photos Matter on Etsy?

etsy product photography editing

Usually, you need photos of your products on Etsy to attract customers!

Through Etsy $818 million in sales in 2019, Etsy knows very well how important photography is to online sales. Their in-depth study shows that 90% of Etsy buyers agree that the quality of the product images greatly impacts their decision to buy. Also, it has a more significant impact than the

  • Price
  • Shipping
  • Customer reviews

You must have attractive pictures of your Etsy items if you want to be successful. Here are some reasons why Etsy product photos matter:

  1. Draw people's attention to your goods and make them want to click on them.
  2. Show the goods from a variety of angles view and with different features.
  3. Customers will know what to expect from clear, correct photos.
  4. Photo editors are more likely to display high-quality photos on Etsy.
  5. Use great product photography to set your products apart from others.
  6. Investing in photo editing can help you make more sales and keep your customers happy.

What Are The Best Photo Formats for Etsy Listings?

The correct photo format and specifications are necessary for showcasing your products on Etsy. You should be aware of the following details:

Category

Details

Aspect Ratio4:3
Image Size2000 pixels (shortest side)
Resolution72 pixels per inch (PPI)
Accepted File Formats- .jpg, - .gif, - .png
Other ImagesShop Banners: 1200 x 300 pixels
Profile Photos: 500 x 500 pixels

Is There any App I Should Use for Etsy Photos?

Well, if you want to beautify the photos of your Etsy products, here are some excellent free mobile and desktop photo editing apps.

  • Fotor: A complete photo editing with enhancement tools and filters.
  • BeFunky: Simple photo edit with quick adjustments and creative effects.
  • Adobe: Professional editing tools from Adobe, available for free.
  • Canva: A powerful design tool with templates and editing features for easy image adjustments.
  • Snapseed: A mobile app with powerful editing tools, filters, and fine-tuning options.
  • GIMP: A free, open-source photo editing software with features comparable to Photoshop.
  • VSCO: This high-quality photo editing tools that are popular for ease of use and image quality.
  • PicMonkey: This is a photo editing and graphic design tool for creating attractive product images.
  • Inkscape: The tool gets free vector graphics for creating detailed graphics and text overlays.
  • Pixlr: Get advanced photo editing features similar to Photoshop, which are available online.

Top 8 Tips For Taking Better Etsy Product Photos

etsy photography tips

Etsy success depends on high-quality product photos. Your photos are often the first impression customers have of your shop, and they play a significant role in driving sales. In fact, selling on Etsy is a great way to build your brand and improve your listings. Here are our top 8 tips for improving your Etsy product photos and attracting more buyers.

Tip 1: Trying Out Different Angles

When taking pictures of your Etsy things, trying different angles can change how people see them. Here's why and how you should try looking at things from different points of view:

1. Avoid Repetition:

Pictures taken from standard views, like eye level or waist height, look different and not very interesting. You can make shots more interesting and lively by changing the angle.

2. Show Off Features:

You can draw attention to different parts of your product from various views. For example, a shot from above can show off the handle design of a handmade clay mug, and a shot from the side can show off the glaze.

3. Scale and background:

Putting your camera on top of or below the item can help potential buyers better understand its size. An overhead shot can show how big a blanket is and how it looks on a bed when it's spread out.

4. Adding interest to your pictures:

Using different angles can help your photos stand out from other Etsy listings. By taking a picture from an unusual angle, you can get a more exciting product picture.

Tip 2: Take Away The White Background

If you usually take pictures against a white background, like on Amazon, try something different for Etsy.

People who shop on Etsy usually look for unique and creative items, so a simple white background might not bring out the best in your handmade goods.

For instance, if you sell handmade jewelry, don't use a plain white background when taking pictures. Instead, try shooting it on a rough wooden surface or against a soft, fancy fabric.

Besides, a marble desk or an old lace tablecloth can make the room look more elegant. You can use these backgrounds to improve the look of your product and add a story.

Using a unique background, you can make your product unique from others with plain white backgrounds.

So, if you make your things different, customers won't be able to compare them to those on Amazon.

Tip 3: Avoid Flash

While flash photography has its uses, it could be better for Etsy product photos. Flash can create harsh highlights and dark shadows and distort your product's true colors.

Often, it results in overexposed areas and clipped shadows, misrepresenting your product. Instead, rely on natural lighting for a more authentic look.

If you're shooting in the evening or low light, waiting for better lighting conditions is better than using a flash. Customers can be unhappy if colors aren't represented correctly online.

So, when shooting in dim conditions, you should consider soft, diffused lighting or well-balanced light setups rather than flash.

Tip 4: Be Aware of Etsy's Image Sizes and Formats

If you're taking pictures for your Etsy listings, you should follow Etsy's guidelines on image sizes and formats. Here are 3 points you should keep in mind:

  1. Photo Format: Etsy recommends landscape or square formats for product shots. These orientations ensure that the product is highlighted in search results and on product pages. However, you may see your product details hidden behind a portrait photo cropped on Etsy.
  2. Image Quality: Make sure your pictures are high quality to keep them clear. Etsy indicates that listings should have a minimum resolution of 72 PPI and 2000 pixels on the longest side. It lets buyers zoom in without losing detail.
  3. Thumbnail Ratio: The best way to show thumbnail images is with a 4:3 aspect ratio. When it's resized for thumbnails, this style looks good even with a lot of space around your product. In fact, you may have to crop or change some pictures to fit this aspect ratio.

Tip 5: Using Natural Light

Using natural light is very important if you want your Etsy product pictures to look their best.

Put your things somewhere with open shade, like next to a big window or on a covered patio. So they don't get harsh highlights and deep shadows from direct sunshine.

This set-up gives off a soft, diffused light that makes your product look more natural.

Place a big white reflector across from the light source to bounce light onto the side of your item in the shade. Ensure all of the details are well lit and any shadows are minimized.

Also, change where the mirror is placed and the products inside it to get the best lighting. If the shadows are still too sharp, use Photoshop to soften them.

Your things will look great on Etsy if you carefully use reflectors and control natural light.

Tip 6: Put an End to Distractions

When taking pictures of products for your Etsy store, minimize distractions.

First, check the area where you're taking the picture for clutter or a background that could distract from your product.

Using a regular sheet as a background is easy and inexpensive. You can also put your item on top of the sheet to use it as a DIY background.

For a more polished look, consider investing in a small pop-up lightbox studio. With prices starting at around $30, these clean white backgrounds improve the focus on your product. Several light boxes come with built-in lighting that minimizes shadows.

Also, you can use apps like Pixelcut for iPhone to do things digitally.

It takes just a few swipes to remove a photo's background. With the result, the picture is clear and free from extraneous information.

Tip 7: Focus on Depth of Field

Try experimenting with depth of field to improve your Etsy product photos. On Etsy, a shallow depth of field is often preferred to the deeper focus used on sites like Amazon.

The easiest way to do this is to use a smaller aperture setting, such as f/2.8, f/4.0, or f/5.6 on your camera.

As a result, your product will remain sharp while you create a soft, blurred background to help it pop.

For example, HelloRing's Etsy listing shows the ring's stone against a beautifully blurred background, improving the product's overall look.

Adding shallow depth of field to an Etsy picture adds an attractive, professional feel. You can make your product pop when it contrasts against an out-of-focus background.

Tip 8: Make Your Setup Better

You must take some practice shots before proceeding with a whole photoshoot. These test pictures help ensure the lighting, camera settings, and other details are correct.

However, depending on the camera, you may need to adjust the shutter speed, ISO, or focusing settings.

If you are uncomfortable with the settings, read the user manual and practice until you are.

Plus, keep lights from being too bright or too dark to keep things from being too bright. Move light sources and equipment if there are hotspots or deep shadows.

If you want the best results from natural light, try shooting at different times of the day or in a different location.

When showcasing products, professional background removal comes into play. The more attractive your listings are, the less distracting they will appear. For an in-depth look at how background removal can enhance your Etsy photos, check out this complete photo background removal service. Using this service, you'll be well on your way to attracting and engaging potential customers.

Etsy's 5 Most Essential Types of Product Photos

We already know that Etsy product pictures can make a big difference to a business. Here are some tips for capturing key shots without spending a fortune:

#1: Classic Studio Shot

  • Simple, clean background focusing on the product.
  • Essential for showcasing product details and overall look.

#2: Lifestyle Shot

  • Show your product when it is used to help buyers visualize its application.
  • Create an authentic scene while keeping the product the focal point.

#3: Small details shot

  • Highlight intricate details and craftsmanship.
  • You can show off stitching, glaze, and wood grain perfectly with this frame.

#4: Sense of Scale Shot

  • Place a standard item or hand next to the product to give a sense of its size.
  • Provides customers with a way to measure the product's dimensions.

#5: Provenance Shot

  • Tell the story of how you made your handmade product.
  • Make sure you capture images of how the crafting or packaging is done to emphasize the uniqueness of the product.

How To Take Etsy Photos To Increase Sell: 5 Simple Steps

Step #1: Diffuse your lighting to avoid harsh shadows or dimness. You can create natural lighting with a lightbox or with DIY solutions.

Step #2: Choose a plain background to focus on your product. Natural textures like wood or marble are also possible.

Step #3: Be sure to keep your camera lens clean, avoid digital zoom and flash, and use a tripod for stability. Most modern smartphones can take high-quality pictures.

Step #4: You should include full product photos, scale shots, close-ups, and action shots to give your item a complete look.

Step #5: You can use editing tools to adjust white balance, crop composition, and color correction. Ensure your photos are clear and realistic to attract buyers.

EndNote

The best way to succeed on Etsy is to do well at photographing your products.

As we all know, images are the first things people see about your offering, so they decide whether to click.

When showcasing your products, use natural lighting to highlight their quality and uniqueness. Even the pictures in your shop make it look better and help buyers trust you, which leads to more sales.

Also, your shop's long-term success will depend on making photos that look expertly taken in Etsy's crowded sector. Hence, improve your photography skills, buy the right gear, and post good pictures to maintain your shop's popularity.

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