Recently I had the opportunity to open an Etsy shop for my client, Mercader Antiques. Selling online with Etsy is easy and FUN! Fun is a big thing to me, so when I find something that is not only fun but profitable I have to jump on it. I have many clients who sell online so I wanted to provide them with some tips on how to make their products stand out from the crowd. After all, that is what it is all about!

Lighting

Make sure you have clear beautiful images. Use natural and even lighting. Be sure to use a tripod or something to keep your camera steady. Some people have used beanbags or a pile of books or a bag of rice. You can purchase special beanbags or make your own.

[su_spacer size=”20″]

Overcast days provide the most even lighting. You can reflect light onto your subject using a piece of cardboard wrapped in tin foil. You can use a white card too, which provides a soft light. If you have to use a flash you can soften it by placing a sheet of tissue over the flash.

[su_spacer size=”20″]

A great product for reflective photography that is very portable is a car sun shade. These are inexpensive, portable and make a perfect reflective material for great product photography.

[su_spacer size=”20″]
Lighting shiny or semi-translucent items, such as gemstones, glass and metal from behind is the best way to illuminate them. Lighting from behind gives these items a wonderful shine. If you light from in front of them you will get glare.

[su_divider top=”1″]

Backdrops

Use of backgrounds vary, but you don’t have to purchase expensive photographer backdrops. If you lay a sheet of glass or plexiglass over colored paper you get a high shine surface. You can even purchase a sheet of tile or laminate.
[su_spacer size=”20″]

Bright white and jet black do NOT make the perfect neutral background. If you shoot your subject from a distance using a white backdrop you will get a soft grey which is easier on the eye than bright white and will be more flattering.
[su_spacer size=”20″]

If you want to use black you should choose an “almost” black background with texture. Using a textured background gives your photograph interest.
[su_spacer size=”20″]

Composition

Grouping products can make them more eye-catching (especially for small items). When grouping objects you can focus on one closer to you than the other, creating a depth of field.
[su_spacer size=”20″]

Size

Use props to show scale. Make sure your prop is something people associate with a size. Showing a small item with a coin or measuring stick works well.
[su_spacer size=”20″]

Variations

If you offer variations variations for size, material and color you can show them in a unique way by contrasting them or showing them being used the way they would be used in real life. This helps people identify with your product and want to purchase it.