Ideas to Repurpose Your Product Photography

You spend a lot of time getting that perfect shot for your product photos. Shouldn’t they work harder for you? They’re well lit, have a few perfectly styled props, and help portray your brand.

Then you just upload onto its product page to start going to work, right?

I hope not!

Or at least that you’re not done yet.

Last week, we discussed why product photography should be taken on white backgrounds and the same logic applies today – always do what’s right for your brand first, but keep these extra tips in your back pocket. It may take a few extra shots or slightly adjusting your starting point, but after putting all that work in, they should at least pull double duty! So today we’re discussing 6 product photography ideas to get the most out of your work.

These product photography ideas work best for those shots that include some background or are nicely styled with photo props to give them more of a lifestyle feel. (Before you go off the rails on me since I JUST told you to shoot on white backgrounds 🙂 remember I only meant you should at least have that as an option. Lifestyle photography or lightly styled photos can do wonders for creating a strong brand and product photos.)

THIS POST CONTAINS AFFILIATE LINKS WHICH MEANS I MAY (AT NO ADDITIONAL COST TO YOU) EARN A COMMISSION IF YOU MAKE A PURCHASE THROUGH MY LINK. I ONLY RECOMMEND WHAT I TRUST + USE MYSELF; AND APPRECIATE YOUR SUPPORT OF THE SHOP FILES!

1. Pinterest Images

Make sure you’re taking nice vertical images to maximize Pinterest‘s algorithm (735 x 1102 is ideal). If your shop isn’t set up well for vertical images, take an extra vertical shot once you’re set up. It will be minimal extra work, but can yield some big time results.

More Notes on Sizing:

According to Pinterest, the best aspect ratio for images is between 2:3 and 1:3.5, with a minimum width of 600 pixels. When you start going outside those ratios, your pin might be cropped and that’s when you get a smaller image with an “Expand Pin” message at the bottom. Not ideal for catching your audience’s eye.

(Find more photography advice on my Photography Tips + Styling Pinterest board)

2. Blog Post Images

You’re blogging for your business, right?! If not, check out why blogging can improve your business here.

One way to reduce “extra blogging work” is to reuse your best product photos as blog article headers. Create a link below the image in your post sending interested customers to your shop page or update your photo to redirect customers directly to the items featured through a simple image click.

You could also steal a move from lifestyle bloggers and list your items below the image or at the bottom of your post with easy shop links, such as  “Mug / Scarf / Candle”. It’s all about options baby.

3. Make a collection of stock photos

Prepare a photo pack of 6-10 images that are cohesive (in terms of color, feel, mood, etc.) and promote to bloggers for use as stock photos. Set your own terms – such as must include credit back to shop and/or Instagram or Pinterest link, etc.

And of course, don’t forget to give them away in exchange for signing up for your email list! This is a great example of a simple content upgrade or freebie to use to help grow your list. Plus you never know – it could lead to future blogger collaborations down the road!

Quick tip to remember when preparing these images — keep a good amount of white space in your photos or provide a few close ups and ones with more white space. Most bloggers may end up using stock photography for their main Pinterest images so leaving some white space allows them to add text for their titles.

For good quality stock photos, I’d recommend using your fancy camera if you have one. Not an absolute necessity as Chaitra proves here, but can definitely improve their quality so users can zoom in without getting grainy images.

4. Use for imagery around your blog / site homepage

Every site needs beautiful images to help convey its brand. So why not show off some of your best work by featuring your own? Assuming your product matches your branding or you have a strong collection, use those images around your site where needed.

5. Create a collection of images to use as your Facebook header

Branding and promoting often go hand in hand, just go about their ways differently. So while you’re using your social media accounts to showcase your brand, also feel free to do a little secret promoting! By showing your images as part of your branding message, you’re subtly getting your product in front of more eyes without having to scream “buyyyy me”

Canva offers great tools to help you find the correct size for each social media platform – plus did I mention it’s free? While there are some significant additions if you upgrade (such as one-click resizing to take your image and fit it to any need without rework on your end – social, flyers, blog headers and more), the free version will get you there if you’re short on cash.

6. Tweak slightly and save for Instagram images

Since you’re already set up and have your perfect lighting, throw in a few props to lightly style and shoot a few images you can save for Instagram!

I have a full list here of ideas on what to post for Instagram and a Pinterest board full of Instagram photo ideas for online shops!

Ohh, and here’s a casual plug to come hang out with me there!

What do you think? Have you re-purposed any of your product photos? Leave a comment below and include your link, we’d all love to check it out!

Looking to step up your photography?

Check out this Craft Photography course from Creative Live. Specifically geared towards craft merchants, you’ll learn the fundamentals of creating consistent images that stand out and how to edit like a pro.