Tips for Taking Better Pictures for Your Etsy Shop

When you sell anything in your Etsy shop, your customer can't hold it in her hand before she buys it. She can't try that necklace on to see how it looks, she can't feel how soft the rabbit plushie is, and she can't turn the iridescent pendant in the light to appreciate all its colors. All she can do is judge your art by a few pictures. If your pictures aren't up to snuff, it could cost you in sales.

It's very important to take good pictures of your items. Since your customers can't touch or see the product in person before they part with their hard-earned cash, your pictures need to show your creation in the most flattering way possible. Here are some tips to keep in mind when taking your pictures:

1. Let There Be Light
Photography almost literally means "painting with light," so it's hard to get a decent picture without decent lighting. If it's too dark in your house, try taking pictures of your items outside during the day. You'll get the best results if you do it in the morning or evening.

If you're serious about making money and are in this for the long haul, you would be wise to invest in a light box.

2. Avoid Using Flash
You may need light, but you should try to avoid using flash. While it more or less gets the job done when you don't have much light to work with, it tends to wash out the colors and glares off anything that's shiny or glossy. It doesn't give you the most warm or natural results.

3. Use a Neutral Background
A crisp white background is best. It may sound boring, but think of it this way: You're selling your art, not the background. You can use a white sheet of paper, poster board, or a light box for this. However, there are certain items that may look best on a colored background; if you go this route, use solid colors or subtle textures that complement the item.

Don't use a busy background, even if the colors match the colors in your item or maybe ESPECIALLY if the colors match, because we'd have to look extra hard to figure out where the green-and-red pendant is on that Christmas tree wrapping paper.

And please, please, please don't use a towel, a dirty rag, or an ugly fabric as your background.