Set Your Brand Apart With Photography
I first discovered Prunella Soap over on Allisa Jacobs blog. She featured a wonderful interview with owner Janell and I fell in love straight away. I honestly couldn’t get this business out of my mind. Everything from the product, branding and packaging was spot on but the main thing that stood out was the photographs. Janell’s photos are impeccable and the photostyling is stands out from her competitors because they are so different.
Most photos feature a cute little dog figure with a quirky expression perched on or near the product. Janell also uses miniature succulent plants to add a natural element. Brilliant.
Why it works
At first glance it might seem random but it’s actually really clever on a few levels. Firstly, from a marketing point of view, the photos stand out. There are lot of organic, handmade soap companies on Etsy, yet with these photos Janell ensures we remember her soap (and the cute little dogs).
Tell a story with your photography
In future, when you see a piece of soap with a miniature dog on or next to it you’ll immediately think of Prunella Soap. It’s distinctive and unique, something we all should be striving for in product photographs.
From a customer point of view the dog and succulents help tell a story. They say Prunella Soap is animal friendly, vegan, organic and kind to nature.
These are not just random miniatures.
The packaging also helps to add to the story and express the brand’s values. Natural and recycled materials are prevalent including muslin bags and kraft paper. Different washi tapes add a splash of colour and pattern.
Such a great job!
Take aways:
* Find your own style to stand out from your competitors
* Look for items you may already have around the house to enhance your photos
* Take a risk and do something different.
* Revisit your brand values to help you decide on photo styling and props
* Ensure your photos and packaging are not just pretty but add to the brand and product story in some way
* Be consistent.
Do you struggle with product photography and photo styling? Would your customers be able to identify your products from a photo?
Oh I love janelle’s photo styling ! I came across her shop when she was the featured seller on etsy. It’s so so fun and I can just sit strolling in her shop looking at the pictures . I have so much to learn from her . Thanks for featuring her .
You’re welcome Lakshmi!
Great article and images…. people often assume that product photography is straightforward – how difficult can it be to photograph inanimate objects?! In fact, it’s very challenging and takes a lot of careful planning and consideration.
When the client and photographer get it right (it’s a true partnership!), the images are stunning, memorable and totally unique – as your article proves!
Hi Tony, thank you for your comment. I agree that people think it’s a lot easier than it is. Often the photos are an afterthought when it is one of the most important things to get right especially if you sell online.
This post is a must read! Amazing photos, especially clever photos will really get you noticed and definitely entice me to buy.
Me too! I haven’t got around to buying anything from this shop yet but I will in the new year. Janell makes these things called Adventure sticks which are portable soap sticks- I think the idea is so cool so I need to get some. Then I can feel like an adventurer!
The photos are great – a lot has to do with editing also and I think if you can afford photoshop (I can’t) then you are a step ahead – because with the right program you can insert images behind and beside your product photo.
Hi Fred, you’re right, editing photos well also helps. There is actually a free online editing Photoshop site at http://photoshop.com . I’ve used that plenty of times to brighten photos, crop etc. I’ve heard good things about GIMP too which is similar to photoshop but free to download.
Love it!!! I looooove succulents and the minis are so cute with the mini-doggies! I’ve also recently gotten into natural soaps, and there are soooo many on Etsy that her photos & packaging really do make her stand out! I have enough soaps for right now, but I definitely had to <3 her because the look of her shop is so wonderful! ..which means I'll probably be back to buy some later. ;D
As a professionally trained graphic designer, I must make a comment on the Photoshop reference. It is never a good idea to insert objects into a photo after the photos have been taken. Unless you are top in your field and have extensive training in Photoshop, it is obvious you have altered the photograph. I have seen a lot of poorly edited photos and this does nothing but suggest poor quality in and the seller’s lack of care about the product being sold. That being said, it is an essential tool for doing as Isa Marie says, cropping and adjusting lighting (but only slightly as playing with lighting, can actually make the photo look worse as well).