Comments on: Photo Tips – Photographs Advertise Your Handmade Shop

By: Renaissance Austin

Renaissance Austin — Sat, 19 Sep 2009 02:29:31 +0000

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

By: Kristin

Kristin — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 01:50:36 +0000

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!

By: ClockworkZero

ClockworkZero — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 16:22:39 +0000

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.
always use a tripod because it will save so much time and you can increase the exposure as well.

By: Megan

Megan — Thu, 03 Sep 2009 22:07:55 +0000

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.

By: Jodi

Jodi — Sat, 29 Aug 2009 17:39:37 +0000

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.

By: CIndy Lietz, Polymer Clay Tutor

CIndy Lietz, Polymer Clay Tutor — Sat, 29 Aug 2009 15:35:40 +0000

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.

By: Jodi

Jodi — Fri, 28 Aug 2009 10:32:52 +0000

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!