HOW TO CHOOSE A PROFESSIONAL PHOTOGRAPHY STUDIO

If you're looking for a professional product photography studio, you're spoiled for choice. Here  are few things you may want to consider when choosing the right one for your business. You might not find a studio that ticks all the right boxes, so be sure to set your priorities before going in.

Still undecided? Check out this article on whether you should hire a professional product photographer.

EXPERIENCE

This one’s pretty obvious. Experience means they’ve been around for years and have an impressive portfolio populated by recognizable brand names. In short, they’re pros. They’ll likely have a highly-trained team employing an established workflow maximized for efficiency. That means they know how to get the most out of their equipment and resources to get the job done right and on schedule. So you should expect a high standard of quality.

Take note that there’s a huge difference between lifestyle photography and product-only photography. E-commerce product photography is a unique discipline that favors speed over creativity, accuracy over beauty. The angles and lighting need to be consistent across all your products, and certain product types—whether it’s fashion, electronics, or cosmetics—have their own specific technical requirements.

The best studios know how to properly and respectfully deal with clients, understand their needs, and deliver what they promised. They  are also less likely to disappear on you, which means your photos and your products are safe. And if they say can do it in three days, they mean it. Newbie and freelancers photographers often underestimate the time and work needed for a job, and have been known to ghost a client with their inventory in tow.

EQUIPMENT

While experience can make up for a studio’s limited equipment and resources, it can only go so far. Having the right tools for the job is a game changer. As the technology continues to evolve at an accelerated rate, the standards of quality go up with it. That’s why it’s important for studios to continually upgrade their gear.

The best cameras, working in conjunction with professional grade lenses, lighting, and post-production equipment allow you to capture every minute detail of your product. There’s also the inevitable wear and tear, which eventually affects overall productivity, not to mention the quality of the final output.

When trying to choose between product photographers with the same level of experience, the one with the better gear will have a clear competitive advantage.

LOCATION

No matter the size of your inventory, transporting your products to get photographed is an important logistical consideration. Finding a studio that's well located can save you time, money, and headache. If they're nearby, it's that much easier easy to drop in to see how things are going. With the necessary safety protocols in place, of course.

Make sure you track your products to and from the studio, that you’re informed if or when they arrive, and that you get your products back complete and undamaged. The studio should also keep you updated on the shoot’s progress.

If your items are too large to transport, or if you require a particular setting, there are studios who offer shooting on location. This comes at a premium, so consider if it's worth spending a little extra for a more convenient arrangement.

POST PRODUCTION

There are product photographers who will simply hand over the files straight from camera. But no matter how well shot or lit those photographs are, they still need to be edited. The standard for product-only photos needs to be on a pure white background (numerical code 255-255-255), which can’t be done with just a camera. Post production also cleans up any noise in your pictures, adjusts the white balance, and color corrects for accuracy.

Each SKU should also have its own folder for easy access. Naming, archiving, and sorting these photos yourself can take hours or even days, so make sure the studio includes these services in their fees. Which brings us to…

PRICING

Probably the biggest thing you need to consider is price. Studios charge depending on how many units or items you need photographed (referred to as a stock keeping unit or SKU), and will do anywhere around 2 to 5 angles per unit. Keep in mind that different items have varying shooting requirements, which affect the rates.

For example, reflective pieces like watches or jewelry need specific lighting set ups more involved than say clothing or apparel. The same goes if you need to shoot with a model, who you might be able to book through the studio. Make sure you get rates specific to the items you want shot and compare that among the studios you’re considering.

Studios may also have an engagement fee to cover the minimum expenses they incur whenever they take on a project. So, you might have to shoot around 10 to 25 SKUs—depending on the type of product—for it to be cost-effective.

If you're a repeat customer, you might be able to get this waived depending how often you hire the studio. So finding the right studio not only gets you a reliable partner you can trust with your business, but you can also save a bit of money in the process.

You might think that the most seasoned product photographers also tend to be the most expensive. But you'd be wrong. With a bit of canvassing, it won't be too hard to find an experienced studio that's competitively priced. On the other hand, there are other companies with more high profile—maybe even award-winning—photographers on their roster, and that kind of star power will come at a price.

Looking for a professional product photography studio that might tick all the right boxes? Send us a message to learn more!