Beginner product photography for ecommerce ( complete beginner)

[atto2121]

hello all and happy new year

I'm hoping someone can give me the right advice for what I'm trying to achieve.

I have a hair extension/wig business which I want to now sell online. The main item right now are wigs, and I need to find a solution to take the pictures that are good enough for an ecommerce store.
I have attached a picture of what I'm trying to achieve, but I'm a total newbie ( I know nothing about photography, lighting, editing)

here are my initial concerns,

1 - what equipment would I need? I'm trying to keep it low cost as possible
2 - can an iPhone do the job rather than buying expensive cameras and lighting setups etc

i have asked around for costs from photographers, the avg price is around £8-10 per shot which inc editing etc. the issue is I need 3 angles for each wig, and i have a big stock of different styles so the costs will mount up very quick. Also, I'm not 100% sure how they will sell online so it could be a loss leader.

appreciate all who can advise
thanks
A

 

[Harlequin565]

Hiya,

Giving an idea of your budget will help people recommend options.

Also knowing whether you intend to photo the wigs on a real live model, or some sort of false head will make a difference (do you need stands for the wigs? Do you need to pay for a model?). What sort of space do you have available to do the photography? Anywhere well lit with natural light, or are you relying on some sort of artifical light and is that also required in your budget?

Finally, what equipment do you have? Is it just a phone?

 

[Garry Edwards]

It's mainly about lighting, so you may want to click on the report button and ask a moderator to move this thread to the Lighting Forum.

£8-10 per shot seems pretty cheap to me, and you probably won't get a good photographer for that amount, which gives you even better reasons for doing it yourself.

This very basic tutorial may help https://www.talkphotography.co.uk/tutorials/photography-for-amazon-ebay.157/ and you could also go on to Amazon and buy "Product Photography Magic" for a whole fiver. As it's my own book I'm not allowed to suggest that you do so . . .

In terms of equipment, virtually any camera will be fine (but not a phone) and a cheap second-hand DSLR will probably be the best option. You'll need a minimum of 3 flash heads, one of which will be needed to obtain the white background, and there are no effective shortcuts. Your best option (simplest and cheapest) will be basic mains-powered flash heads fitted with softboxes, such as this kit (other makes are available) https://www.lencarta.com/lencarta-s...g-kit-with-2-softboxes-1-umbrella-300-300-300

 

[andrewc]

The answers in the thread you created on the 7th January 2015 still apply.

Beginner - camera&kit&advice needed for newbie

Hi All I have 0% experience in photography and i am in need of taking product photos for my new website. I will be taking shots of products that i have which are beauty item related. So currently these items will include things such as: Cosmetics Ponytails Hair extensions Accessories Hair...

www.talkphotography.co.uk

 

[Garry Edwards]

The answers in the thread you created on the 7th January 2015 still apply.

Beginner - camera&kit&advice needed for newbie

Hi All I have 0% experience in photography and i am in need of taking product photos for my new website. I will be taking shots of products that i have which are beauty item related. So currently these items will include things such as: Cosmetics Ponytails Hair extensions Accessories Hair...

www.talkphotography.co.uk

Well spotted
Now, what was it that Einstein said about doing the same thing repeatedly and expecting a different result?