Balenciagas and Guccis of the world do their fashion images against a white background and sell their products for hundreds of dollars. Dozens of thousands of merchants on Amazon also shoot products against a white backdrop and struggle to sell them for even ten dollars.

Brand matters, no doubt. Even if a lesser-known Amazon seller nails a perfect image of a high-quality T-shirt with an edgy design, they still won't be able to sell it for hundreds of dollars as easily, right? Exactly.

So, on the one hand, professional images are an indispensable success factor for larger e-commerce, especially in the premium segment.

On the other hand, smaller brands don't have the budget to hire a professional photo studio. Often, they have to DIY product photography as they start their brand.

From hundreds of small fashion brands Squareshot has worked with, we are well too familiar with this e-commerce's eternal paradox:

You don't have the budget for studio-caliber product photos, but you cannot grow much without them, either.

Too many cool brands were killed by the wrong approach to this industry-wide problem. We are here to help you both recognize the dangers of this situation and guide you on how to approach it at every stage of business maturity for the best results.

Why product images against a perfect white background are the industry staple

There are multiple reasons:

1. Marketplace requirements

Amazon has too many graphical elements, icons, badges, navigation, and recommendation features to manage in one screen, so streamlining the look of the products sold is critical for a good user experience. Every major marketplace requires an image of every product against a white background for product and category pages.

2. The professional look of a web

A well-designed website shapes users' perceptions of a brand and its products. A pure white background for product images results in a professional website look, which is completed by consistent shadows, lighting, composition, and resolution.

3. Directing the focus of a user

At the user journey stage, when buyers view your product shots, keep it distraction-free. You need to be able to narrow the gap between the online and offline shopping experience. This moment is comparable to a buyer touching an item in their hands in a physical shop. You want to feel the texture of the fabric or pay full attention to the detailing of the accessories. This is why the white background is the best way to go for product close-ups.

4. Plain white background — a universal modifiable format

Once you have a picture of a product isolated on a white background, you can add any background color, add text, make a collage out of it, and whatnot. Many photo editing applications will have hundreds of creative textures and backdrops for your product images applied in seconds. Let alone the endless capabilities of AI image editing. Midjourney, Dalle, and Stable Difusion AI tools can turn such a picture into... — basically into whatever you need it to be.

Photo: Squareshot

Now, let's consider the main parameters that make Balenciaga photoshoot results crisp and attractive for a buyer compared to your run-of-the-mill e-commerce pics on Amazon or eBay.

What distinguishes cheap product images on white background vs professionally-done ones

The quality of white background product photos can significantly impact both: consumer perception and sales. Let's break down key factors that distinguish cheap product images from professionally done ones:

Lighting

Amateur photos:

• Harsh shadows and highlights: Poorly placed or insufficient lighting can result in harsh shadows or overexposed highlights.
• Uneven lighting: The product may appear darker in some areas and too bright in others, leading to an unprofessional look.

Professional photos:

• Soft, Diffused Lighting: Professionals use softboxes, lightbox diffusers, or light tents to achieve even, natural lighting that minimizes harsh shadows.
• Consistent Illumination: Proper lighting setups ensure the entire product is uniformly lit, clearly highlighting its features.

Photo: Squareshot

Background quality

Amateur photos:

• Visible seams and wrinkles: A poorly set background may have visible seams, wrinkles, or other imperfections.
• Dirty or discolored background: The white background may appear off-white, grayish, or dirty due to improper light source or post-production.

Professional photos:

• Seamless background: A properly set sweep backdrop ensures a smooth, infinite background with no visible lines.
• Pure white background: Through correct exposure and retouching, the background appears pure white (#FFFFFF), enhancing the product's visibility.

Photo: Squareshot

Image resolution and clarity

Amateur photos:

• Low resolution: Images might be grainy or pixelated, especially when zoomed in.
• Lack of sharpness: Poor focus or camera settings can result in blurry or soft images.

Professional photos:

• High resolution: High-quality cameras and lenses capture sharp, detailed images that maintain clarity even when zoomed in.
• Crisp focus: Professional photographers ensure the product is in sharp focus, highlighting intricate details and textures.

Color accuracy

Amateur photos:

• Inaccurate colors: Poor lighting and lack of color correction can lead to colors that do not accurately represent the product.
• White balance issues: The overall color tone may be too warm or too cool, affecting the product's appearance.

Professional photos:

• True-to-life colors: Proper studio lighting and post-processing ensure that colors are accurate and true to life.
• Correct white balance: Professionals use tools and software to achieve correct white balance, ensuring the product looks natural.

Product positioning and styling

Amateur photos:

• Awkward angles: The product may be photographed from unflattering or inconsistent angles.
• Poor presentation: Lack of attention to detail can result in poorly positioned products with visible dust, fingerprints, or other distractions.

Professional photos:

• Optimal angles: Professionals understand the best angles to showcase the product's features effectively.
• Attention to detail: Products are cleaned, styled, and positioned to enhance appearance and appeal.

Composition and framing

Amateur photos:

• Poor composition: Products may not be centered or framed correctly, leading to a lack of balance and focus.
• Inconsistent cropping: Images might be inconsistently cropped, affecting the uniformity of a product catalog.

Professional photos:

• Balanced composition: Professionals follow compositional guidelines, ensuring the product is the focal point and is presented attractively.
• Consistent framing: Images are consistently cropped and framed, providing a uniform appearance across multiple products.

Post-processing

Amateur photos:

• Minimal editing: Little to no post-processing can leave images with imperfections and inconsistencies.
• Over-editing: Amateur attempts at editing can result in unnatural colors, excessive sharpening, or other artifacts.

Professional photos:

• Refined editing: Professionals use advanced editing techniques to enhance images subtly, ensuring they look polished and natural.
• Consistent quality: Post-processing is done to ensure a consistent look and feel across all images, maintaining brand identity.

Photo: Squareshot

When can you get away with amateur images in the e-commerce business?

You have a unique hand-made artisan product

This is when you really can get away with self-made images, as:

1. You have a limited manufacturing capacity
2. You have a specific target audience that appreciates a hand-made feel and forgives imperfections.

You sell to a specific audience where you are an authority and have a following

Suppose you are a celebrity or a voice of authority in your selected field. In that case, sales will roll irrespective of the quality of your product shots based on your accumulative weight of social influence.

You are just starting and want to test the waters at a minimum budget

Making images yourself is fine if you are testing a business idea and want to do it on a budget. But be aware that you're drawing conclusions from limited data. The results could be different if you invested in professional white-background product photography.

You are OK to sell below market, and you sell mass market items

Suppose your business concept is to sell some popular mass-market affordable items even cheaper. In that case, you can get away with amateur images.

Now, let's consider the cases where trying to DIY your way through product images may slow your business growth.

When is it NOT OK to do DIY photography?

The sure-fire signals you can't afford cheap images on your site

You have the funds

Simple. Professional photography should be at the top of your shopping list if you want to grow an e-сommerce brand and have capital to spend. It's the one marketing spend whose ROI (return on investment) is both substantial and exponential.

You have the ambition to stay long in the business and create a solid brand

If you are serious about this business, the earlier you invest in high-quality visuals, the sooner you will succeed.

You have been in the green for 3-6 months

Even if you managed to grow your online sales with self-made product shots, you have to give professional photography a shot as soon as you have been in the green for 3 consecutive months.

Your competitors outcompete you with similar products in similar price range

If your competition is doing way better than you with a similar product line, brand awareness, and marketing channel mix, consider hiring a professional photo studio.

You sell premium items

Naturally, if you're selling a high-end product, your clientele is among the most demanding ones. Their purchasing decisions have been prompted by the wit of the world's best creative talent.

Summing up the above chapter, DIY images on a white background can only get you so far. You simply can't afford amateur images when you aim for a long game or a premium segment. You need to hire a product photographer with lots of experience and a creative eye.

Conclusion

Product images on a clean, white background have become an industry standard because they're:

• versatile
• attention-grabbing
• perfect for showcasing products in a consistent manner.

But as we've explored, not all white-background images are created equal. A professional touch makes all the difference, adding polish, quality, and appeal that reassures buyers of a product's value.

If you're considering a DIY approach, remember that impressive results can be achieved with the right tools, patience, and a commitment to detail. However, there are times when hiring a professional is crucial to make sure your images meet the high standards of competitive markets.

With the right resources and knowledge, you can create standout white background photos that meet industry expectations and genuinely reflect the quality of your brand. Whether DIY or professionally done, focus on producing images representing your product in the best light possible.

Resources for Your Next Steps

Want to learn more about photography by yourself? We got you: E-commerce Product Photography Insider Guide: From Zero to Hero

If you want to work with professionals: How to Choose the Right Commercial Photography Studio for Your Brand

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