IMAGE QUALITY IN, IMPROVED SALES OUT: That is why you need a professional photographer for product shots

Beautiful necklace by Miglio Designer Jewellery, a company that knows the value of high quality images to sell their products.

In a world dominated by the visual experience, e-commerce experts know for a fact that a critical aspect of their marketing and advertising strategy is obtaining high quality photographs of their products.  

Why are they so adamant about this? High quality and appropriate images:

EVOKE THE EMOTIONAL EXPERIENCE OF SHOPPING

On the Internet, the shopping experience cannot include all the senses. We can’t touch the fabric, smell the coffee or taste the sauce. There is only our visual involvement with a representation of the product.

In the end it is this photographic image that has to evoke the emotional experience that transforms a viewer on your website into a buyer of your product.

Unless the visual experience of the virtual shop affects the customer on a visceral, emotional level, browsers will not be converted to shoppers. 

CONVERT BROWSERS INTO CUSTOMERS

On her blog, business strategist, Isa Maria Seminega quotes UK photographer Tony Jones on the importance of high quality product shots:

“It is now widely accepted that taking the time to invest in quality product imagery for your advertising and website will be a significant factor in helping to drive sales up. High quality product photography is as essential as a well designed website.’

REFLECT THE HIGH QUALITY OF THE COMPANY'S PRODUCTS

Companies cannot afford to cut corners when it comes to planning and executing the visual aspect of their marketing and advertising strategy. 

Leonora Van Staden, MVNP client and owner of Nice Stuff, an exclusive interior/ gift/ design shop in Dorp Street, Stellenbosch agrees. 

"Martin’s particular skills as photographer has made it possible for me to develop a marketing strategy for my business that does justice to the high quality design and manufacturing of the limited edition and custom-made products we sell," she explains.

SAVE TIME, EFFORT AND MONEY IN THE LONG RUN

As a designer, Ronel Van Heerden of Nine Ninety Nine, has her own reasons for encouraging clients to invest in a professional photographer's services.

“You will not let a backyard mechanic with inadequate and inferior tools and pitiful knowledge work on your Ferrari. So how can business people still think their camera phone will take good enough images to market their biggest asset?

“As a professional designer I've seen how substandard photography does damage to businesses and it is such an easy detail to fix! Just get a professional photographer!

“You will make the lives of your designer so much easier and together you will create the company image that you want the world to see. Easy as pie!”

Unfortunately not all business owners, especially small and medium enterprises, always see their way clear to invest in really good photographs for their websites and brochures. 

But in the end the same principles that apply to e-commerce also apply to other businesses. 

Customers shop with their eyes. Make sure that the quality of the visual message your business portrays matches the quality of your product.