How do you handle product photography for large or bulky items that are difficult to ship or display?

1 Choose the right location

The first step is to find a suitable location for your product photography. Ideally, you want a place that has enough space, natural light, and a neutral background. You can use your own warehouse, garage, or backyard, or rent a studio or a venue that matches your product's style and theme. For example, if you sell furniture, you can use a real or staged living room or bedroom. If you sell outdoor equipment, you can use a park or a field. Make sure the location is clean, organized, and free of distractions.

2 Use a tripod and a remote

The second step is to use a tripod and a remote to stabilize your camera and avoid camera shake. A tripod will help you capture sharp and consistent images, especially if you need to use a slow shutter speed or a zoom lens. A remote will allow you to trigger the camera without touching it, which can also reduce vibrations and blur. You can use a wired or wireless remote, or a smartphone app that connects to your camera. Alternatively, you can use the self-timer function on your camera, but make sure you have enough time to get in position.

3 Adjust the camera settings

The third step is to adjust the camera settings to suit the lighting and the product. You want to use a low ISO, a large aperture, and a fast shutter speed to get a bright and clear image with a shallow depth of field. This will help you isolate the product from the background and make it stand out. You can also use the manual mode or the aperture priority mode to have more control over the exposure and the focus. If you are not sure how to adjust the settings, you can use the auto mode or the preset modes, but check the results and make adjustments as needed.

4 Experiment with different angles and perspectives

The fourth step is to experiment with different angles and perspectives to show the product from various sides and highlight its features and benefits. You can use a wide-angle lens or a zoom lens to capture the whole product or focus on the details. You can also use a ladder or a stool to shoot from above or below, or move around the product to shoot from different directions. Try to avoid distortion and glare, and use a level to keep the horizon straight. You can also use props, models, or scale references to show the size and functionality of the product.

5 Edit and optimize the images

The final step is to edit and optimize the images for your online store. You can use a photo editing software or an online tool to crop, resize, rotate, adjust the colors, contrast, brightness, sharpness, and remove any flaws or distractions. You can also add filters, effects, text, or logos to enhance the images and match your brand identity. Make sure you save the images in a high-quality format, such as JPEG or PNG, and compress them to reduce the file size and loading time. You can also use a naming convention and a folder structure to organize and label your images.

6 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?