Getting potential customers is a very important thing to do in e-commerce. Online shoe retailers understand that shoes have to be photographed and presented attractively. One image can significantly improve your profits.
This blog will discuss 17 shoe photography tips for your online store. We will look at the planning process, scouting, creative styling, and post-processing.
By the end of this article, you will be able to make your shoe photography go from basic to elegant.
Shoes are like any other product you need to sell online. They require a detailed approach when taking pictures.
It is important to pay attention to things like lighting, framing, background, and what message you want to convey.
The picture always tells a story and when it comes to selling shoes, the photography alone can make or break the deal.
1. Plan and Research Before Filming
Effective planning and analysis are essential before you pick up your camera. Getting to know your target audience is the foundation of effective visual marketing.
If your clients are interested in shoes, is there a particular niche market that interests them?
The strategy, action, and means of presentation of photography campaigns will vary based on factors like age, preferences, and online activities.
After identifying the major segments of your target market, you should research the emerging trends in shoe photography.
Look at the most visited online stores, famous fashion magazines, and social media to see the prevailing styles, angles, and compositions.
This will help you determine how their images conceptually differ from yours and, more importantly, inspire you to promote your plans on how your photographs will look.
Make sure that the creative vision you intend to use is appropriate to the style your target audience expects.
Consider capturing visuals in a mood board to unlock the true essence of your brand as well as to demonstrate the type of photography that your brand intends to have.
2. Being Smart Decides Your Location
The specific location where you take the photos has a great influence on the shoe’s look, feel, and message.
Setting up a professional photo shoot in an outdoor environment, or even at a professional studio, both have their pros and cons.
In a studio, the lighting can be manipulated and the setting is neat which means you can concentrate on the shoe.
This permits you to highlight important features and maintain uniformity among your product photographs.
But outdoor locations allow for some dynamism and context in your images. Think of hiking boots placed against a mountain backdrop, or sandals placed on a sunny beach.
These locations give your pictures flavor and depth while making a connection with customers’ emotions.
Remember to consider the type of footwear you are shooting and the feeling you would like to portray.
A stylish modern shoe might look best in a minimalistic studio while bohemian-style flat sandals would be best suited for a setting in nature.
Beforehand, finding the locations is very much necessary to ensure that they share the same vision as you and that they have enough space and light.
3. Come Up with a Shot List
A shot list is the key to a successful photoshoot. It includes information on every angle of focus so that no important shot or detail is overlooked.
If you create a shot list before a photoshoot, you will surely be able to do things on time.
Start thinking about all the angles that you wish to shoot. Top and bottom shots, side profiles, three-quarters of body views, feature close-ups, shoe action shots, and more.
Add lifestyle shots that highlight the shoes like a person in running shoes on a trail or people in dress shoes in a corporate environment.
Your shot list should state all the props or additional items you will feature, and the lighting and background that you prefer for each one of the shots.
Besides keeping you on track during the photoshoot, a precise shot list also serves as a means of communication for your team so that everyone knows what is required from them.
4. Exploring Through Lifestyle Considerations
The integration of lifestyle aspects in shoe photography can greatly improve its attractiveness.
Instead of just photographing the shoes on display, it may be more effective to use props that show real-life actions.
This helps prospects picture the shoes on their feet and appreciate how they would blend with their lifestyles.
For instance, it is easy to picture fashion sneakers with jeans and a simple top or elegant heels paired with a chic dress.
Such shots serve to humanize the brand and as a result, make the products more appealing. Lifestyle elements must allow the shoes to capture the attention first.
Other elements must support and not compete with the shoes. It may be prudent to use models who fit your market and dress them per your brand.
5. Try different angles
Providing customers with different angles of your shoes allows them to appreciate them more and may increase sales.
Instead of taking a single frontal shot of the shoes, take photos from different angles such as the top view and the side view to show elements such as the construction and overall shape of the shoe.
Additionally, a ¾ view which is tilted allows people to get a glimpse of the shoe from a strongly positive angle.
Additionally, taking close-up shots of the stitching, texture, and logo can highlight the craftsmanship behind the shoe.
6. Tell a Story
Shoe photography is not just a showcase of the item alone. There is a certain narrative to it that when captured through the lens, strikes an emotional connection with the audience.
Always determine the core brand story that you want to tell with your shoes. Are they meant for fashion, functionality, etc?
Your photography tells a different story, so ensure you have the target market in mind while incorporating the emotion. Like having a model interacting with the surroundings or props that signify a specific action or lifestyle that relates to your shoes.
Your pair of running shoes is more than that when placed on a starting line as it suggests focus and strength.
A pair of elegant stilettos beside a glamorous handbag is hinting to a night on the town. Such forms of storytelling help consumers view the shoes from a different angle, as they become icons of a distinct set of experiences or lifestyles.
7. Ensure everything is Clean
Cleaning your shoes before taking photos is one of the things that attract customers. No one would consider buying a scuffed shoe.
Every pair of shoes must be thoroughly cleaned before taking photographs so that all the details are captured.
Dust, dirt, and other scuffs should be removed, and shoes should be polished as well. Laces should be tied and kept neat, and removable parts like insoles should also be clean and in good shape.
A clean background shifts all the focus onto the shoes, making them the main highlight of the photograph. Stray hair or dust can be removed using a lint roller as well.
How the picture is taken shows the importance of shoes to the individual, therefore care should be taken to make the background professional.
8. Use a Model
Models help you effortlessly sell products because they enhance the beauty of the shoes and your online shop.
The model’s picture does not just show footwear but tells a story due to the life it brings. They can show how the shoes fit and their real-life context, facilitating customer imagination on how they will look while wearing the shoes.
Remember the shoes should always take the spotlight. When the model is posing and the clothes are worn, they should not draw attention away from the shoes.
All models selected should portray the intended target audience and have them dressed in clothes that match the brand.
There should also be a variety of poses and faces showing emotions that help tell your shoes’ story.
For example, while a model wearing athletic shoes may be captured walking or running showing a dynamic and energetic pose, a model lounging around in comfy slippers may tell a more relaxed story.
9. Make Use of Your Creativity
Creativity is what separates you from the rest in shoe photography. If possible, take the risk of trying out different compositions, props, and even backgrounds that help elevate the aesthetics of the images.
Challenge yourself and try to find new ways of capturing the shoes. For example, instead of shooting wedding shoes against plain white or colorful backgrounds, try shooting them with bouquets or using a skateboard if it’s a picture of skate shoes.
Capture photographs using different types of lighting to set different moods. You can always try adding some spice to your work by experimenting with different angles.
This can also be achieved by shooting in places that are unusual for shoe photography.
Step away from the traditional and into your particular style of shoe photography. The more unique and fresh your shoe images are, the more likely you’re going to grab attention.
10. Select the Correct Background
The background of your shoe pictures is as important as the shoe itself. With the right background, your shoes can stand out, enhancing their overall appeal, while ensuring a complete visual experience.
Just like any other professional photo shoot, match the background color, texture, and style with the shoes being shot.
Neutral colors like white or light grey are one of the most popular backgrounds. But, depending on the type of shoes and the intended aesthetic, you might want a more colorful or textured background.
Rugged hiking boots, for example, would look great against a landscape of rocks and leaves while elegant heels could be showcased against some luxurious fabric.
Always consider the color palette of your shoes and your brand when looking for a more general background.
You have to ensure that the background does not clash or overpower the shoes. Backgrounds are often overlooked when taking photographs but can add depth and personality, greatly enhancing the visual appeal and engagement of the photo.
11. Retouching using Photoshop
The post-process is one of the most important steps in the overall photography process.
Getting the right image during the photoshoot is a necessity and retouching enhances the overall quality of the image.
Editing features such as adjusting brightness, color, contrast, and sharpening make a huge difference in the quality of the final product.
Retouching has the capability of improving blemishes such as dust spots and scratches on the shoes and background.
However, retouching should be done carefully to ensure the colors in the images are accurate and consistent with the actual product.
Keep in mind that over-retouching makes the photos look unrealistic and damages a brand’s credibility.
12. Make Use of 360-degree Photography
For the ultimate presentation of the shoes, you can choose to showcase them through 360-degree photography.
This presents every section of the shoes up close, and customers can examine and rotate the shoes to their specific angles.
Compared to normal static captured pictures, this feature engages potential customers more as they can carefully study the product before making a buying decision.
Customers can zoom in and view all particulars of the shoe including the material, stitching, and any other special detailing.
Using this advanced technology can help build the confidence of consumers and drastically lower rates of product returns.
Although there is new software and equipment that is needed to capture 360-degree photography, we understand that not all brands can afford it.
However, the benefits provided will pay off for those who already possess advanced and distinctive designs for the shoes.
13. Focus On Details
Shifting the focus to the unique aspects of your shoes is important if you want to win the attention of potential customers.
Such features as the leather type, the stitching work, or the brand logo on the logo often determine what makes the shoes special and unique.
Macro photography is an excellent method of revealing these details. This involves the use of lenses for photography with the subject being small and close to the camera.
Get ready to make close engagement shots of heels and sandals with a macro lens that will allow you to focus sharply and vividly on the textures, patterns, and small details of these shoes.
These make the photograph appear more sophisticated and improve how impressive and pleasing to the eye the workmanship is.
Make sure you use different methods of lighting to reveal the ordinary details in extraordinary ways.
For instance, side light can be great for revealing texture on a material while the backlight creates a lot of atmosphere and drama in the shot.
14. Ensure That You Have Quality Lighting
Lighting is the most important factor in photography. With proper lighting, your shoes can be perfectly emphasized in terms of their shape, color, and even texture.
There are two main types of lighting: natural and artificial (studio). Natural lighting, like the sun, can be stunning and professional, but like it or not, it is erratic and hard to work with.
Studio lighting, on the other hand, allows for a lot of flexibility when it comes to lighting since it can be adjusted to the desired condition.
When using studio lighting, it is best to use a mix of softboxes and reflectors which create diffused light that reduces shadows. When using natural light, the ideal time to shoot is during the ‘golden hour’ immediately after the sun has risen.
You can also choose to shoot just before it sets where the light is gentle and warm. Strongly avoid direct sunlight since it will create harsh shadows while washing the colors of your shoes.
15. Do Not Place the Shoes in A Horizontal Position (Flat)
Similar to how sandwich products are done, these shoes can also be displayed in a flat lay cut out.
However, unlike the previously stated, shoes are not ideally suited for flat lay cut-out presentations.
Putting shoes in a horizontal position will make the shoes lose their desirable shape. Shoes are fitted pieces of clothing and to fully showcase their shape and purpose, they must be displayed in a realistic position, that mimics them being worn.
Use shoe trees or stuffing to help maintain its form or create a more appealing and less flat design.
To make the shoes display more appealing, consider putting them in a position that portrays motion or action.
For example, try putting them in a position that is tilted as if a person is about to step into them.
Such a display captures the attention of the viewer, enabling them to feel engaged with the image.
16. Avoid Messing Out the Frame
Each frame requires proper dividing and segmentation to compose and capture images properly.
While capturing photos of shoes, remember to place shoes in their intended position and box perfectly.
Do not crop the more essential sections such as the toe and heel. Keep an eye on the frame borders and ensure that they are not too distracting or cluttered.
To add more visual appeal, try and stimulate the interest of the viewers by following the rule of thirds.
This is done by dividing the shoe frame into a total of nine sections and placing the shoes right in the middle.
Don’t be hesitant to try new techniques and angles for framing that could be beneficial for your brand and shoes.
17. Avoid Blur Images
Shoe photography can be tough, especially with blurred images. In shoe photography, blur can be a result of camera shake, improper focusing, or even moving the subject.
If you do experience blur, you can solve that with a tripod set on a stable ground, and having the subject remain still right where you need it to be.
Keeping good light on the subject will help as well. Additionally, if a few subjects are moving in a scene, keep the shutter speed high to eliminate motion blur.
After taking the images, swiftly check whether they are sharp and focused.
Conclusion
Online footwear shops take note: “Good shoe photography is essential to any business”. Incorporate these 17 strategies to turn product images from simple snapshots to compelling visuals that capture customers’ attention.
Customers make judgments about brands through their products, so take care to present pictures that are professional, clear, and showcase the shoes in the best light.
Success in shoe photography comes from planning, location shooting, post-editing, and creative styling, all of which combine to create good photos.
Detailing and experimenting with different techniques will allow for the development of not only visually satisfying images but for products that seal a connection with the audience on an emotional level.
So, grab your camera, put these tips into practice, and embark on a successful online journey.