10 Tips for Taking Better Photos

1. Study good photography.

You don’t need to take photography classes to improve your skills, but if you have the time, money and inclination, check out your options at camera stores or community colleges. Or just scroll through Instagram occasionally. Note which photos make you stop scrolling to figure out what you liked. A major plus of Instagram is that you’ll also see plenty of bad photos. Understanding why photos are bad is also helpful.

2. Buy the right equipment.

Your cellphone probably takes adequate photos, but buy a real camera. “Some cellphones have great cameras, but they’re a little more particular on lighting,” said Scott Einsmann, the ATA’s digital manager.

You don’t need to drop tons of cash on a professional-grade camera. Simpler cameras work fine. “Point-and-shoot cameras have a little larger sensor [than cellphone cameras], so they gather more light and are more forgiving in more lighting situations,” Einsmann said.

3. Learn your camera.

Once you have your camera, learn how to use its settings. Einsmann recommends watching YouTube tutorials to learn what those camera settings do. That’s especially important when taking photos under fluorescent lights. Einsmann warns that skin tones can look unnatural if the camera’s white balance is off.

4. Lighting is critical.

Lighting is a vital factor in taking good photo, and it can get tricky for retailers who mostly work inside under harsh fluorescent lights. For best results, set up photos in your shop where the lighting is best. Shooting in natural light on an outdoor range, or where light comes through your windows usually ensures the best results.

5. People make photos better.

When posting photos of your shop’s products, you’ll engage more customers if the pictures include people. “Photos showing someone using a product is more interesting than photos showing products on the shelf,” Einsmann said.