Are you a skincare brand owner looking to take amazing product photographs for your website? If so, you’re in the right place. In this blog post, we’ll explore some simple how-tos and best practices to help you create gorgeous skincare product photography that looks so professional, no one will be able to tell you took the pictures yourself! From lighting techniques to props and backdrops, there are many ways to make your product photos look professional and stand out from the crowd. So let’s get started!
1. Invest in a quality camera and lens for your skincare product photography.
The most important piece of equipment for product photography is the camera and lens you use. Ideally, you should invest in a DSLR or mirrorless camera, with a quality macro lens for maximum image resolution and clarity. This will help you capture small details in your products and show them off to their best potential.
However, many of the latest smartphones have incredible cameras, with incredible filters and editing options. If you happen to have one of those, and a higher quality camera is not in your budget right now, you can absolutely take brand and product photos with your camera phone.
2. Lighting is key!
Natural light is ideal for taking product photos, as it is bright and diffuse enough to create the desired lighting conditions for capturing detailed and well-lit images. Try to schedule your skincare product photography either for a slightly overcast day, or outside of peak sunshine hours (typically before 11 am or after 4pm) to avoid having to deal with shadows from direct sunlight.
However, if natural light isn’t available or isn’t strong enough to get the desired results, opt for a softbox lighting kit or a lightbox that can be used in a studio or home setting. These provide softer, better-quality lighting than popular ring lights do for still photography.
3. Shoot from multiple angles
To capture the best product photos, it’s important to take multiple shots of your items from different angles. This will ensure that you get a good variety of images that showcase your products in the best possible way.
Take pictures of each product individually and grouped together with other products (especially if you sell them in a kit or in conjunction with other products your customers should also buy to complete their skincare regimen). Also consider taking pictures (or even video) of your products being used by a model, or being applied by an aesthetician if you are targeting the professional skincare market.
4. Use a variety of different props and backgrounds for your skincare product photography.
Adding props and interesting backgrounds can add depth and personality to your product photography and make them stand out from the competition. You might consider shooting on location somewhere beautiful like a tropical vacation spot–poolside, at the beach, or near a waterfall. You might also consider a local park, herb farm, or botanical garden if an on-location photo shoot is not in the budget.
If you’re shooting indoors in a studio, some great props to consider are items that might be used in the skincare regimen itself, like fluffy towels, washcloths, gua sha tools, or jade rollers. Other items you might have on hand like candles, household plants, or gemstones, also look nice in indoor shoots.
Also think about things like beautiful little mixing bowls, mask brushes, and other items that might be used to display the color and texture of the product itself–not just the packaging. Consider using unique items such as herbs, flowers, fabrics, paper, textured metal, wood, etc., to dress the scene and bring life to your images.
5. Edit carefully
Once you finish taking your skincare product photos, you’ll want to edit them for color accuracy and consistency before posting them online or printing them out.
Use a reliable photo-editing software to make minor adjustments and enhance the overall look of your images. You can use standard photo-editing software like Adobe Photoshop Elements or Lightroom, or something simple like Corel Paintshop Pro.
If you’re using your phone for editing, try simple editing apps like Snapseed or Picsart.
When it comes to professional-looking skincare product photography, having the right tools is just one part of the equation.
It also takes vision, creativity, and skill to capture beautiful images that showcase your products in their best light. Finally, don’t forget to have fun with product photography! Creating something beautiful from scratch is an incredibly rewarding experience you should savor every step.
Whether you work with a professional photographer and art director, or you’re bootstrapping your business and plan to DIY your product images, there’s always something new to learn and explore. With a few simple tips and tricks, anyone can take stunning photos—all it takes is practice, patience, and dedication! So put on your creative hat and get snapping! The results will speak for themselves.
Do you want to learn more ways to make sure your skincare products are stars that sell?
Check out my 4-day virtual Design Your Star Product Workshop. In just 4 days, you will design your very own Star Skincare Product that’s safe, natural, and packed with nutrients from Mother Nature.
This workshop can help you whether you’re formulating your own products or having them manufactured and whether you’re launching a new product for the first time or are trying to breathe new life into a product that’s maybe lost some of its panache. Your customers will love it so much, they’ll tell all their friends to buy it from you.
