It is no secret that product photography is a pivotal component to creating a brand, evoking a feeling and augmenting the perceived value of the products you are promoting or selling. In fact, in today’s internet age, 93% of consumers claim that they will make a purchase decision based on a photo alone, without doing any research! This is crazy powerful, and you are bang-on to be paying attention to how you can make your product photos stop the scroll of your potential customers.

In this post, I am going to leave you with a few ideas to spark your creativity as you set out to take product photos, the kind that SELL!

Trays

When taking product photography it’s so important that the props you use match the product or fit with the company’s branding.

During the shoot pick props that work best for your subject. For example when working with food have ingredients that compliment or are used in the making of the food, or similar props with the main product you’re working with.

Trays can be used for many things, to fill space, lay things into like magazines or books you might be shooting. They can also be used for food on a serving tray. 

Artificial plants / leaves

Unlike real plants these will last longer and only need to be dusted off when they’re needed. They can do wonders for the photos but they also can look very fake in certain lighting. With the lighting just right you can use them for a more organic brand or for something on the side to add some greenery.

Fashion (or any type) magazines 

Having a fashion magazine, or any magazine for that matter, can make it look more high end. Also having the pages open to words creates more lines to draw the eye to different parts of the photo. 

Twinkle lights 

Twinkle lights make things seem more cozy and sometimes magical. They come in handy when you’r doing a shoot for a new Christmas smelling product or just to add another light source.

Fake flowers

Like having the fake plants, fake flowers can come in handy when you want a bouquet but don’t want to worry about having to keep them watered or having them get dried out in the studio lights. But they can also look fake in certain lights.

Dried / real flowers + petals

While we’re on the topic of flowers real ones are sometimes better than fake ones. When shooting for an organic brand they may specify that they want flowers and its best to have real ones since they’re brand promotes the use of natural and organic products. Also using the petals could be used for a perfume shoot where they can hold a shape and won’t be sort of transparent like fake flowers. 

Simple notebooks + fancy pens

Notebooks can be used to all sorts of things when shooting, they can be used for stationary, glasses or candle shoot and really for most non-food and makeup related products since most people have used a notebook before they will picture themselves with the notebook and the product you’re selling.

Simple glasses / sunglasses 

By adding simple frames to a shot they can make the product look smarter or simply add a personal touch. They can be used for books or a set that is a bit more homey like it belongs in a house. 

Perfume / cologne

Perfume can add to a photo that has to do with makeup or getting ready again seeing it will make the customer think of their day to day life and start picturing that product there. The same goes for cologne, you could put it as an accent to a shaving or suit product shoot. 

Decorative candles 

Candles make people think of being warm and cozy and who doesn’t like being warm and cozy?  They can really be added to anything that is a home like product. 

Simple jewelry 

Having simple jewelry can add an expensive touch to the photo since the viewer doesn’t know how much it is and it also adds the getting ready touch to the photo, especially when you’re shooting face products or clothing. 

Makeup / nail polish

These can be added to add the getting ready feeling to the photo and can add a pop of colour with the clear nail polish bottle or if you twist up the lipstick tube to show the product inside. 

Instant camera / film

These are more for fun since they have a more youthful and vintage look to them. They’re great for most non-food or makeup related things and super great for styling flat lays.

Electronics 

Having electronics like phones, headphones, laptops, etc. in your shot can help bring out the more business side to your photo. They work well with glasses, magazines, notebooks or pens. 

Glitter 

Glitter adds the element of fun or celebration to your product. It can really spice up a plain photo of a wine bottle and make it look fun and fancy with a complementing colored glitter.

Mirrors 

Mirrors can add a simplistic touch but also give a different perspective to the photo since they can show another side of the product. They can be used for shoots that have cosmetic products, perfume or cologne, etc.

Batting 

Batting is fun because you can pull it apart and make it look like clouds or to just have a soft white background. You can get creative with this one since it can look like clouds and be made into different shapes.

Ribbon 

Ribbon adds a fun party touch to the photo just like the glitter. Ribbon can be used for celebration photos or for little touches to a flat lay, maybe even if you’re shooting a little girls clothing item you could make a little bow on the side.

Stones / shells 

Stones and shells can be used for any beach scene you want to make or if there is a more natural brand they can be added along with some real or fake plants and flowers.

Water

Water, depending how it’s used, can be tricky to work with. If you’re just having water droplets on the background then they can be easier to get the shot with. But if you want a challenge you can always find a larger transparent container and fill it up with some water to drop the product into especially if it’s a skin care product.

Washi tape 

Washi tape can again be used for a fun party like shoot. Having coloured tape on the side of the shot not only adds more lines for peoples eyes to go to but it also adds the creative touch to the photo.

Paint 

Paint can be interesting because of not only the consistency but what you can do with it. If you have an art product to photograph you could make it look like there was someone doing a painting and left their supplies out.

Streamers / banners 

Like the glitter and ribbon streamers can be used to represent a celebration or party scenario or scene. Have some fun with them.

Kitchen tools / Ingredients

Kitchen tools can be used for any food or drink related photo. You can add them to the side to add a shine or pop of colour to the photo. Same with ingredients they can add that human touch since it can look like someone was there recently and made the product.

Seasonal decorations 

I feel like these are pretty self-explanatory since they can be used for styling flat lays for any season. They can come in handy with any seasonal product release that a company has. 

You might also enjoy reading this article: https://www.pixpa.com/blog/product-photography