Photo Tips – Photographs Advertise Your Handmade Shop
Photo Tips – Photographs Advertise Your Handmade Shop
HandmadeMarketing.org reader Andi Beard, found at ParticlesofStone at Etsy.com and on her blog, recently told usher tips for selling on Etsy.com – including the importance of photographs for jewelry sellers.
To start, we asked Andi why she loves to sell handmade on Etsy.com. “I originally picked Etsy because I liked that it focuses on handmade items, and the fees are extremely reasonable,” Andi said. “I also like the layout of the shop pages.”
Andi’s favorite aspect of Etsy is the community. “I like the community feel,” she told us. “It’s a place people clearly enjoy “hanging around,” and there is a real feeling of support and communication site-wide.”
The best tip Andi gave was regarding who to market to when selling on Etsy.com. “Marketing to folks who don’t hang around Etsy!” Andi shared. “Most of the people I know have never heard of it, and most of my sales have been through my own direct marketing to people I already knew, not from Etsy buyers. It’s too easy to get lost in the shuffle, especially if you don’t have a “unique” product. Etsy apparently doesn’t have “Google cache,” since many Etsy sellers don’t come up high in the search results, too.”
“It’s a shame,” Andi added. “We should be beating ebay on handmade stuff!”
Andi also shared her thoughts on the role item photographs play when selling online. “They are the “advertisement.” Just like print ads, the photo has to draw someone in, to make their eyes linger long enough to put the image into someone’s brain–and hopefully get them to really explore more,” she told HandmadeMarketing.org.
Looking for tips for taking better photographs? “Show it close up, even if you have to cut most of it out of the picture!” Andi suggests. “I need to know the sizes of things, especially earrings. Every jewelry seller should strive to convey size either through description or photos. And many people forget to photograph the whole necklace! I love seeing closeups of the parts, but I need at least one shot of the whole.”
“Always, always, ALWAYS tell me the size of an item,” she tells HandmadeMarketing.org. “Or, give me a photo with a clear reference point (like a coin or ruler). I’m baffled by jewelry designers who sell earrings and don’t tell me how long they are. That’s pretty important if I can’t see the item in person!”
Andi also suggests sellers explain what materials are used to create the handmade items. “I’m surprised by how many sellers forget to even mention the findings,” she says.
Thank you for the tips Andi!
What tips do you have for those selling handmade online? How do you take great photos? Are there any experiences you can share as a seller or buyer about why photographs matter?
Tell HandmadeMarketing.org your tips for taking winning photos for your Etsy, 1000 Markets, or ArtFire shop. Comment on this post, or send us more detail about how to sell handmade. If our editors publish your ideas, we will link to your shop, website, or blog as the source of the great tips!
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7 Responses to “Photo Tips – Photographs Advertise Your Handmade Shop”
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Great article, I strive to do all of the things mentioned, (at least I make my best attempt at it) Since I’m fairly new to jewelry making the one thing I have trouble with is the proper descriptions of the beads and findings. I don’t always know the correct terminology for a particular type of bead so I will describe it the best I can and give close up photos for a visual. Guess I really should study up on the jewelry terminology to better describe things, does anyone know of a good article or information on this? Thanks for the tips!
It should go without saying, but I am shocked at the number of people who don’t do this… Make sure the photos are in focus and not blurry!
I would never buy something from someone who’s photos I can’t see. Whether it is true or not, it makes me feel like their hiding something or just don’t care enough about details. Makes me think their work will be under par as well. I am never surprised to see 0 Sales in a Etsy Store that has crappy photos! They don’t have to be gallery quality photos, (though those help) but you should be at least able to see the product clearly.
@Jodi: Why don’t you try some of the large online bead and findings sellers and use their descriptions of the products. Big stores tend to use the most commonly used names and descriptions for things.
Thanks Cindy, that’s a good idea. Also the other thing I forgot to mention and it’s something I’ve really started to do. I don’t find a lot of sellers that take photos of the back of their items, even though you obviously don’t see the back when you are wearing it, I feel it is still an important detail and something I would like to see before I buy. Just a thought.
Find a large cardboard box, replace the sides with sections from a shower curtain and make a lightbox for taking photographs. 3 desklamps (one on each side, one on the top) give fantastic diffused light for photographing jewellery.
I just wrote up some tips on my blog here: http://tinyurl.com/p4bvpf
giving some real before and after photos. Post production work IMHO is really critical. Its always better to under expose a shot a stop or two then to over expose it. Although its a great idea to shoot in daylight – avoid strong shadows.
because it will save so much time and you can increase the exposure as well.
always use a tripod
I second Megan’s suggestion – but wanted to add, in the desk lamps try the Daylight bulbs from home depot rather than just regular bulbs. They simulate natural sunlight – and they’re way cheaper than an Ott light!
Here is a thread with a wealth of information on photography and my Handmademarketing.org article. I’ve done many etsy shop critiques as well. I enjoy doing them. Photos definitely are key and I do agree with direct marketing off etsy to people in your local area.
Photography tips: http://www.etsy.com/forums_thread.php?thread_id=6150183
Ren