How to achieve a photoshoot for your clothing line in four simple steps…So, you’ve spent months putting together your clothing line, and now you’re wondering how to turn your vision into something tangible – a professional photoshoot. After all, while your potential customers can’t touch or try on the garment, high-end photos of your item are critical to success.
At Blend, we’re here to help!
Nothing encourages impulse buying like a stunning outfit photo shoot. But it’s not as simple as packing your product into a box and going to the studio (even in Blend). Get ready for your clothing line shoot with our simple guide, and you’ll have the best shot ready for web launch.
1.Type of Shot
Start with some internal planning. It’s important to decide at the outset whether the photography will be a product shoot, e-commerce with models, or a lifestyle. There are different benefits to each, and you can choose to have more than one shot to get the best of both worlds. At Blend, we can help you decide what will work best with your design, and how it can be most effectively presented to your audience. As an example; Product shots on invisible mannequins allow customers to visualize garments without bias or distraction – they are primarily shown on a blank canvas. This, in turn, allows for consistency across clothing lines, and therefore, your brand. However, lifestyle shots are critical in visually communicating the scenario in which clothing is designed to be worn. Seeing clothing lines worn by real models, in real locations, allows customers to imagine themselves in the setting. With these images, you are selling not only the garment but the lifestyle that comes with it. With this in mind, it is very important to make sure that the concept of a lifestyle shoot makes sense, to better engage the individual in the brand you are trying to sell. Opting for an ecommerce shot can provide a popular middle ground between product and lifestyle. Using models allows you to demonstrate how clothing can be styled and brings character to the garment – while a clean background serves to make this stand out.
2. Concept
Creating a mood-board is a very effective way of charting the direction you want your shot to go. Gather visuals that appeal to you, but also consider factors like target audience, key competitors and the clothing itself. Apps like Pinterest make image compilation super easy, and offer tons of content to draw inspiration from. Other platforms such as Instagram, competitor content or even our own portfolio can be used to draw references. These initial ideas can then be developed with photographers from Blend, to turn them into your own unique vision. When putting together a mood board, try to find a lighting you like, a color scheme, or props that will compliment your wardrobe. We can source these for you, or offer external resources to make this happen. Concepts like creating an animated gif, or adding a graphic background will make your clothing stand out online and stand out your brand in the fashion world. At Blend, we pride ourselves on our flexible approach, so be as creative as you want! And if you want a fresh opinion, the photographers here have worked with a wide variety of clients so are more than ready to provide creative direction. Our combined experience and expertise will ensure that your brand vision and values are aligned.
3. Preparation
Once your concept shoot is ready, preparations for the day can begin! Product shooting is minimal, as our studio is equipped with the necessary equipment to set up your clothing line. Steaming your clothes and providing styling tools (such as shaping tools and pins) are part of the package, and come standard for e-commerce shoots in our studio as well. When using models, it is recommended to book a hairstylist and make-up artist – this will improve the overall quality of your image, and reduce the time that may need to be spent on retouching. The MUA will remain on set for the duration and, therefore, will be ready to do makeup damaged under the lights, or to fix hair between changes of clothes. We also recommend ordering a stylist to ensure that your outfit is presented perfectly during the photo shoot. They can also look for additional pieces of clothing to pair with yours, to create outfits if your outfit is missing a component (such as shoes or accessories). Blend has worked with some highly skilled and reliable individuals who can be hired for you, or you can arrange for your own MUA or stylist if you wish.
4. On That Day
Now that you’ve done your planning and preparation, don’t rush into the shoot. Remember that customers don’t know every product as well as you do. And they may not read your carefully prepared descriptions while browsing on a smartphone. Make sure you tell the photographer to capture the unique features of the garment such as buttons, lining or embroidery as these can be major selling points. Detail shots (close-up shots of clothing) can help break up a long image of your clothing line, and also emphasize the quality of your products. They can also demonstrate the functionality of your clothing, as well as how it will look. For example, a drop of water on the collar is a great way to show that your jacket is water resistant. Before starting a shoot, compiling a list of required shots for each item of clothing can be a useful tool for giving structure to the day, as well as preventing content from being overlooked.
We hope we’ve given you some helpful tips for running shoots for your clothing line. If you are looking for expert and affordable clothing line photography, Blend is available to manage the entire shoot. Give us a call or visit our clothing photography page for more information
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