How to Shoot Product Photography for Etsy
Etsy product photography shares some similarities with general product photography but also has its unique considerations due to Etsy’s focus on handcrafted, vintage, and unique goods.
Understand Etsy’s Photo Requirements
Before starting, please make sure you know Etsy’s image requirements.
Etsy recommends using at least five high-quality photos from multiple angles. The maximum size of each image is 20MB and should ideally be at least 2000 pixels wide for clarity. However, images larger than 1MB may experience upload difficulties. You should use websites, Photoshop, or similar software to resize your images. Images should use the sRGB color profile to display the correct colors on Etsy.
Etsy’s style leans towards a more personal and intimate presentation of items. Lifestyle shots that show the item in use are highly encouraged.
Etsy product images should be in .jpg, .gif, or .png file formats, but note that animated .gif and transparent .png files are unsupported.
The first photo in a listing should be horizontal or square to optimize thumbnail views, and subsequent photos should match this shape. Etsy does auto-rotate listing photos based on the image file’s information, but you might need to manually adjust this with a photo editing service.
Your thumbnail images need a border for cropping, and you should use Etsy’s crop tool for accurate framing. Tips include capturing images from a distance, using horizontal or landscape orientation, and using an aspect ratio of 4:3. When adding images, use the placement tool for fine-tuning. The final image will likely be cropped down from the original, so the initial image must have a high resolution.
Steps to Create Your Product Images
Set Up Your Studio
Use natural light when possible, as it best captures your product’s authentic colors and detailsConsider using a mannequin or model to show scale and fit if it’s a wearable item. A well-lit room with a window can work wonderfully. Use a simple backdrop that does not distract from your product.
Prepare Your Product
Ensure your product is clean, tidy, and presentable. Consider using a mannequin or model to show scale and fit if it’s wearable.
Position Your Camera
A tripod is essential to ensure stability and prevent blurry images. Set the camera or smartphone at a distance where the product fills most of the frame.
Experiment with Angles and Context
Etsy shoppers appreciate seeing products from all angles. Close-ups of any unique features, craftsmanship, or textures help convey the quality of your product. Contextual or lifestyle photos showing the product in use can help buyers visualize how they could use or wear your item.
Shoot Your Photos
Take your shots, ensuring the product is in focus. Remember, having more photos is better, so take plenty.
Edit Your Photos
Adjust brightness, contrast, and color balance to ensure the photos represent the product accurately. Avoid overly processed images, as they can mislead customers. Also, make sure the images are edited and exported using the sRGB color space so that the colors display correctly on the site.
Upload Your Photos
Upload your photos to your Etsy listing. Remember, the first picture you upload will be the primary thumbnail image used in your shop and search results. Make it count!
Conclusion
Following these guidelines, you can create engaging, appealing product photography that stands out in Etsy’s marketplace, attracting potential customers and driving sales.
Thanks for reading. This post is part of a series on e-Commerce product photography. If you’d like to learn more about the tools needed to create great product photography for Amazon or anywhere online, please check out my E-commerce Product Photography Tools post.
And always, if you want to learn more about photography, check out our Guides section.
