As a beauty product photographer, I think my job boils down to just two things:
1. Know what customers need to see in order to make a decision
2. Create gorgeous photos that make it easy for customers to choose your brand
Humans are visual creatures, and even though product details might be spelled out in your sales page copy, that truth is that most people won’t read it.
That’s why it’s important for your customers to have their questions answered with your photos as well as with compelling sales copy.
When it comes to product photos for beauty brands, here are the six types of images every brand must have to build trust and make it easy for customers to buy.
The 6 Types of Images Every Beauty Brand Must Have on Their Websites
1 | Styled Flat Lays
These are overhead shots of products styled on a flat surface. They’re sometimes accompanied by branded props that complement the product and give some context as to what the product actually is. Not to mention, they’re visually appealing and can grab shoppers’ attention mid-scroll.
They’re great for: homepage banners, section headers and blog posts.
2 | Ingredient Shots
If you’re a green brand that values clean ingredients, you’ll definitely want to sprinkle some ingredient shots around your site. Traditionally, these are close-up photos of the key ingredients used in the product. Shoppers love these kinds of shots because they draw attention to the natural, premium quality of the ingredients and make a brand feel more trustworthy.
They’re great for: product detail pages, ingredient highlights, and about pages.
3 | Ecomm Product Photos
e-Comm photos are simple, clean images of a product taken against a plain background. They provide an uncluttered, detailed view of the product, which allows customers to make a decision.
They’re great for: online storefronts, carousels, and product detail pages.
4 | Texture Closeups
These highly detailed shots answer the question ‘how is this product going to feel?’ Texture photos give customers a sense of the product’s consistency and quality, which is especially important when buying beauty products.
They’re great for: menus, product detail pages and blog posts
5 | Product Line Shots
Thriving brands have mastered the art of the upsell, and product line shots can help you do that. These photo display a group of products from the same line or collection, often arranged side by side so customers can see them all at once. According to buyer psychology, if a customer loves one product in a line, they’ll probably like everything else, too. And displaying them all together makes finding and buying these complementary products easier.
They’re great for: homepage banners, collection pages, marketing materials, and emails
6 | Lifestyle Images
These shots show the product being used in the real world, often featuring a model or in a real life setting. By helping customers visualize how the product will fit into their daily lives, the photos create an emotional connection with customers. They also add visual interest and break up the monotony of standard e-commerce photos.
They’re great for: home pages, about pages, email sign up forms, blog posts, and social media
By incorporating these six types of product photos, beauty brands can create a visually compelling and informative online presence that attracts customers and keeps ’em coming back.
Want a photographer who has experience making beauty and wellness products look amazing? I’d love to help grow your brand. Request more information about working together.
