Last Updated on January 30, 2022 by
Product photography is an important aspect of marketing, especially for businesses that sell their products online. Most modern consumers rely heavily on product images to make their purchase decisions so businesses need to make sure they’re appealing. Unfortunately, many establishments turn to DIY images because product photography pricingseems out of their budget. The average cost of professional photography can be anywhere between $500 and $5000 per day, based on the studio’s location, reputation, and photographer’s experience.
It is possible to save money on professional product photography if you’re careful and follow the tips mentioned below:
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1. Focus on Local Studios
Unless you live in a very expensive location, local studios provide the most affordable services. Even if they charge slightly higher product photography pricing, you can save money on things like shipping costs and product insurance costs. The best way to determine whether local studios are cheaper is to calculate the cost of the image. Add all of the product photography costs, including transport and insurance, before dividing the number by the number of images you get. For example, if the total cost of product photography for 100 images is around $5,000, each image costs around $50.
If the cost per image is $50 in your local area, you can compare it to quotes from other locations and find the best deal. Many businesses make the mistake of focusing solely on product photography pricing instead of considering any additional costs.
2. Number of Images per Product
Customers rely on information provided by images to make informed decisions. They look at the product’s color, dimensions, design, and size in comparison to background elements before making a choice. That’s why businesses must provide multiple images of every product from different angles and with different backgrounds.
Platforms like Amazon allow sellers to upload up to eight images to their product pages. You can upload anywhere between three and a dozen to a business website. The more images you provide, the better. However, a large number of pictures can increase product photography pricing significantly. Experts recommend adding at least three or more images to any product page. If you add just one, you may end up alienating your target audience as they may feel you didn’t put enough effort into building a good page. There’s no need to add twelve or even ten images as long as the pictures on the page provide sufficient information.
3. Style of Photography
The style of images has an impact on their product photography pricing. Lifestyle photography involves models, outdoor locations, and props, which can increase the costs considerably. If you’re on a limited budget, you may want to limit or exclude lifestyle images entirely. Experts recommend including a combination of lifestyle, creative in-studio, and product on white photography for the best results but most business can make do without lifestyle photography.
Product on white images are the most affordable because they don’t require a lot of effort. The items are placed against a blank white background with no distracting elements. Amazon requires that all product profiles have a primary product on white image. These pictures are highly effective and ensure the customer focuses their complete attention on the item. Most businesses can get away with just product on white pictures, though it can make the profile less dynamic.
4. Insurance Coverage
Many business owners fail to account for product damage when they plan their budget. If your products are delicate or expensive, they can be difficult to repair or replace.Unfortunately, there’s a chance that the item will get damaged in transit or during the photography process. Professionals are usually careful with their client’s possessions and take all precautions necessary but accidents can happen.You will end up spending more money than your budget permits to replace or repair a damaged item, which is why it is important to invest in insurance.
Most reputable studios have their own insurance coverage and will compensate for any damage. It is a good idea to check this before you hire a photographer. In most cases, the cost of insurance is covered by product photography pricing. You can find more information on the studio’s website or contact the photographer directly on the matter. It still doesn’t hurt to get additional product insurance, especially if the item is expensive or delicate.
5. Cost of Additional Services
Studios may charge extra for hiring models, creating props, or shooting at outdoor locations. You can cut down on the costs by providing your own props or finding more affordable models. In some cases, these costs are included in the product photography pricing uote but it is a good idea to ask the studio what’s included and excluded before making a decision.
Sometimes third-party services are more expensive if they’re contracted through a studio. You may want to bring your own model from a different agency. Discuss these particulars with the photographer carefully before spending money. It is possible to negotiate the costs of photography, especially for long-term or bulk-order clients. One of the best ways to make informed decisions is to speak candidly with studios. They will help find a solution that fits your budget but also delivers good results.
Experts recommend setting aside a healthy budget to accommodate product photography pricing. It is better to spend a little more on good-quality images than to waste money on poor product pictures. You can find the best fit for your business by conducting some research online. Experts recommend looking at studio reviews, speaking with past clients, and booking a free consultation with the photography studio. You can also compare quotes from different studios to see which one offers the most reasonable price.
Don’t settle for the cheapest establishment, as they may not have the tools, equipment, or experience needed to provide good-quality images. It is also a good idea to browse through the studio’s portfolio carefully to see if their style fits in with your branding aesthetic.You can also ask the studio whether they have any experience in your niche before hiring them.
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