Product Photography Ideas for Artists and Makers Ahead of the Christmas Season
I know your studios are buzzing with holiday preparations behind the scenes right now, and soon your products will be featured across social media, magazines, websites and shops. I want to help you get ahead with tips and inspiration for creating stunning product photos that sell for you. Read on.
Showcase Your Products as Gifts
Shoppers during the holiday season are looking for items that can be given as thoughtful gifts. Make it easy for them to imagine your product in that role.
Pro Tip
Style your product in a gift-giving scenario. Wrap it in beautiful holiday packaging, add a festive ribbon, or place it inside a decorative gift box. Include simple props like sprigs of pine, ornaments, or a handwritten gift tag to set the scene. This helps potential customers envision your product as the perfect gift.
Style Suggestion
If you’re selling handmade jewellery, photograph it displayed on a velvet cushion inside an elegant gift box, with festive wrapping paper and ornaments in the background.
Create a Cosy Holiday Scene
The holidays are all about warmth and coziness, and your product photos can reflect that feeling. Give your products a "homey" appeal by placing them in a holiday setting that evokes feelings of comfort.
Pro Tip
Set up a scene with soft lighting, like a product next to a fireplace, surrounded by blankets, fairy lights, or candles. This technique works well for products like home décor, candles, handmade textiles, or ceramics.
Style Suggestion
If you sell knitted scarves or handwoven blankets, photograph them draped over an armchair near a softly lit Christmas tree. The warm lighting and cosy setting will help sell the comfort and quality of your product.
Highlight the Details
During the holiday shopping season, customers are drawn to craftsmanship and quality. Close-up photos of intricate details are a great way to showcase the care and effort that goes into each handmade product.
Pro Tip:
Focus on the textures, materials, and craftsmanship that make your product unique. Whether it’s the fine stitching on a leather wallet or the delicate glaze of a ceramic ornament, these details matter.
Style Suggestion
For makers of handcrafted jewellery, use macro shots to capture the intricate design of a pendant or the sparkle of gemstones. Make sure the background is clean and simple, so all attention is on the product.
Use Holiday Props to Add Context
Subtle holiday-themed props can help create a festive atmosphere without overwhelming the product. These props can add context, show scale, and make your product feel more special during the holiday season.
Pro Tip
Use natural props like pinecones, evergreen branches, cinnamon sticks, or snow-dusted pine needles to subtly frame your product. Keep the props neutral so they don’t steal the spotlight from your work.
Style Suggestion
If you’re selling handmade candles, style them with a simple wreath of greenery, a sprig of holly, or a few pinecones around the base. This adds a festive touch without making the photo feel too busy.
Show the Product in Use
Customers often want to see how your product fits into their life, especially around the holidays. Demonstrating the product in action can make it more relatable and desirable.
Pro Tip
Photograph your product being used or displayed in a real-life context. If you sell kitchenware, show your product in use at a holiday dinner setting. If your work is wearable, showcase how it looks on a person in a festive environment.
Style Suggestion
If you sell handcrafted mugs, take a photo of someone holding the mug with both hands, sitting by a fireplace with a Christmas tree in the background. The cozy setting and action shot give potential buyers a sense of how the product will fit into their holiday traditions.
Play with Lighting (fairy lights, candles)
Lighting plays a big role in setting the mood for holiday photos. Use warm, soft lighting to give your product photos a seasonal glow.
Pro Tip
Fairy lights and candles create a warm, magical feeling and are perfect for adding a festive touch without overpowering your product. Keep the lights out of focus in the background to create beautiful bokeh, which adds depth and holiday cheer to your images.
Style Suggestion
For handmade ornaments or delicate products, hang them on a tree with soft fairy lights in the background. The blurred lights will make your product pop and create a dreamy, holiday atmosphere that attracts customers.
Group Items for Holiday Sets
Many shoppers are looking for curated gift sets or bundles during the holidays. Group your products together in a way that shows how well they complement each other.
Pro Tip
Create a styled product set by grouping similar items together. Think of ways your products can be bundled for a gift package. Present them neatly in your photos to encourage customers to buy more than one product at a time.
Style Suggestion
If you’re a soap maker, photograph a set of soaps bundled with a natural sponge and a holiday-themed ribbon. This makes it easier for customers to see how they can buy your products as ready-made gift sets.
Showcase Limited Edition Products
If you’re offering holiday-exclusive products, be sure to emphasise their seasonal or limited-edition nature in your photos. Urgency sells, and limited-edition holiday products can boost demand.
Pro Tip
Include a note or a small sign in the corner of your photo that says "Limited Edition" or "Holiday Special" to build excitement. Make your seasonal items look extra festive, so customers feel compelled to buy before they’re gone.
Style Suggestion
If you’re selling Christmas candles, photograph them with seasonal props and include a festive tag or banner in the image saying, "Limited Edition: Christmas Scent."
There you have it!
You have the opportunity to make your products shine with the right photography. From creating cosy scenes to showing off those important details, your photos can be the difference between scrolling past and clicking “add to cart.” And remember, while these tips can help you create beautiful photos on your own, a professional photographer can take your product images to the next level.
With professional lighting, styling expertise, and high-quality imagery, you’ll have photos that not only showcase your work but also increase sales during the most important shopping season of the year.
