IN-HOUSE PRODUCT PHOTOGRAPHY: IS IT WORTH IT?
The growth of e-commerce has undoubtedly accelerated over the last couple of years for obvious reasons. Many businesses have thrived because of it, while others are quickly making the pivot to get in on the game. Pandemic or not, e-commerce is the future of retail.
So now your business has come to a crossroads and faced with the all-important question: in-house or outsource? On the surface, setting up your own in-house product photography solutions sure sounds ideal. But as we saw in the last article, there’s a myriad of pros and cons that go into this pivotal decision.
Do You Want Complete Control?
Honestly, who wouldn’t? But the real question is: is it worth it? Dictating how the studio is run, setting your own standards and processes, and being able to micromanage every minute detail comes with unparalleled flexibility and control. You can be as hands on as you want, in every stage of every project. But it will come at a cost.
The initial expense for personnel, equipment, and space will be significant, even if you’re just starting with the most minimal set up. If you have more demanding requirements, the investment could be staggering. Not to mention the learning curve involved in forming your team and getting them perfectly aligned to your company’s goals and expectations.
A cost benefit analysis goes a long way in determining which direction you take. But the main factor that justifies creating your own in-house product photography team lies in volume. And if we’re talking adequately big numbers, it longer becomes a matter of want, but of necessity.
So How Many Images Do You Actually Need?
The math is simple enough. A product photography studio typically takes anywhere between 3 to 5 angles of a given item or product. Multiply that by the number of products you have for the year, and you should have a rough idea of how many images you need.
Keep in mind that most studios charge per SKU (stock keeping unit), not per shot. Shooting each SKU could cost anywhere between P200 to P500, more depending on the size of the item or how involved the process is. (Watch product photography, for example, is highly specialized. Find out more here.)
Certain products have their own specific shooting requirements
Compare the cost of one year’s worth of product shots versus the investment of putting up and running your own studio and you have your answer. In many cases, the cost benefit analysis shows it’ll take years before an in-house product photography studio becomes viable. Consider if it’s really worth spending a good chunk of your resources on purchasing, maintaining, and upgrading equipment, hiring and paying your team, and renting space. If your project is seasonal or a one off, then your time, money, and effort are better spent outsourcing.
However, if you’re looking at producing tens of thousands of images every year for the foreseeable future, then outsourcing ceases to be an option. You’ll see better returns in the long run establishing your own studio in-house. And if that’s the case, there’s really no need to read on, is there?
In-house product photography is a numbers game
How Quickly Do You Need It?
Earlier, we touched on the learning curve involving newly formed teams. This means time and money developing your people and processes, making sure they’re aligned to your brand guidelines, and establishing a productive and cost-effective workflow. But if you’re rushing to meet urgent deadlines while you’re working out the kinks in your operation, you could find yourself outsourcing anyway, at least temporarily.
Too many businesses often underestimate the time it takes to get their studio up and running at the level they need it to. So make sure you set realistic expectations that allow for a little wiggle room if and when things don’t quite go according to plan.
We know that if it takes more time, it’s also going to take more money. If you decide to go in-house, you need to account for product photography projects taking longer and costing more than projected. Existing professional studios have productivity tools and systems in place that automate repetitive tasks and get the job done quicker.
How Specialized Do You Need to Be?
At the very minimum, you’ll need a photographer, a project manager, a photo editor, and preferably some IT support. However, new product photography trends crop up all the time, and some require specific expertise and equipment. One example that’s gaining a lot of traction is 360 degree photography. It’s a combination of photo and video techniques, which means it’s doubly complex (read: expensive and time-consuming). And not all professional product photography studios claim they can do it. This would significantly up your initial investment and running costs should you decide to go in-house.
360 degree photography can get pretty tricky
Lifestyle product photography for watches is also highly specialized. Some photographers have built their careers in this segment alone because it’s incredibly technical and nuanced. It could take hours just to get one shot right—from set up to post production.
Are Your Products Easy to Ship?
Shipping costs are determined by size and weight, so if you’re dealing with heavy items (like machine parts or work out equipment) or products that take up a lot of space (like furniture), there are some issues to contend with, particularly if you need hundreds of these photographed. You might need extra muscle to transport and place the products into position, and that’s going to cost you.
If you’re dealing in expensive jewelry, timepieces, or art work, you could be looking at added insurance premiums and security escort fees. Transporting fragile items are also high risk.
Do You Already Have Too Much On Your Plate?
This is a big one. If you really want to create an entirely new department from scratch, then you’ll need to consider everything mentioned so far. Establishing a studio in-house is a grand undertaking all its own, and possibly disruptive to your operations. Will it be an essential part of your business, or is it just “nice to have”?
That’s why outsourcing to a professional product photography studio is so attractive to many businesses because they can simply delegate the work and not have to think about it. Even big brands choose this route for its convenience and cost effectiveness. Here are a few reasons why. Is it really worth your while to take on such a project?
When it comes to outsourcing, the greatest challenge is finding the right professional product photography studio. Do your homework, canvas the market, and see who’s the right fit for your business. These are some things to look out for.
The best ones have a long list of credible references and can ensure the quality of their work within a quick time frame. By developing a long-term partnership, you can be assured of smoother collaborations aligned to your specifications. And most importantly, they’ll save you lots of time and money so you can focus on the core of your business.
If you have any questions, just send us a message or a leave a comment down below, and our team would be happy to answer them!
https://www.squareshot.co/post/in-house-vs-outsourced-product-photography
https://www.bigcommerce.com/blog/the-great-product-photography-debate-diy-or-outsource/