E-commerce fashion photography is crucial for converting browsers into buyers and boosting a brand. It allows brands to compete with brick-and-mortar stores and provide customers with a tactile experience on their mobile and laptop screens. Fashion and lifestyle brands invest time and effort in product photography to increase sales and stand out in the market. Digital technology and an understanding of customer needs help direct-to-consumer brands improve conversion and engagement, making their brand more recognizable and converting more customers. Keep reading this guide to be successful on your path to becoming a professional fashion photographer Montreal:
How do you shoot e-commerce photos?
We’ll walk you through the entire photoshoot process, from creating a mood board to preparing your tools and polishing your images.

-
Set a mood board.
A mood board is a crucial part of your marketing strategy, defining the visual language and identity of your e-commerce store. It should include inspirational elements like similar brand images, colour palettes, fabric samples, and other visual cues that reflect the desired aesthetic. A professional photographer will recommend two or three options for your visual identity, allowing them to experiment with various ideas before deciding which one works best for your brand. Once chosen, ensure it is consistently used across all communication channels to create a cohesive visual identity for your e-commerce store.
-
Use Proper Tools and techniques
Following are the professional ecommerce photography Montreal techniques and tools for your fashion product:
- Selecting the right camera: DSLR, mirrorless, or smartphone with a macro lens for close-ups.
- Using a tripod: A solid-base tripod saves time and allows for clearer, sharper photos.
- Choosing a backdrop: poster board, large sheets of paper, or paper rolls with white or light grey colours for a clean look.
- Selecting the right lighting—natural or artificial—and arranging products to highlight their best features.
- Creating a professional look: Ensure the fashion pieces fit properly, make necessary adjustments, and experiment with different set arrangements and styling ideas.
-
Make sure there is adequate lighting.
In-house photo shoots without a professional Montreal product photographer can use natural light, which looks great and costs nothing. Place the product next to a large window and let sunlight shine through from the side. However, natural light can be difficult due to factors like time of day, weather, and season. Professional artificial lighting and shooting in a studio provide greater control over lighting. Alternatively, you can purchase or rent a professional lighting kit with light sources in separate positions. A possible setup includes a key light next to the camera, a less bright fill light farther away from the subject, and a backlight illuminating the product from behind.
-
Retouch and alter the images.
To create visually appealing product photography, it is essential to perform editing such as cropping, background cleaning, and colour correction. This is particularly important for fashion and accessories on e-commerce sites. Time is a significant cost factor, so it’s crucial to address issues like incorrect exposure and positioning. When retouching and editing images, maintain consistency in lighting, cropping, levelling, and exposure. This ensures that the final product aligns with your branding and visual language, ensuring a consistent and visually appealing image.
What are some best practices for e-commerce fashion photography?
With the photo shoot completed, it’s time to get some advice on how to make your efforts more successful, which we’ll discuss below.
-
Consistency and visual language are essential.
Starting a new business requires identifying your niche and creating a visual language that differentiates your brand. This involves adhering to a specific aesthetic and working with a creative director, graphic designer, or photographer. Consistency in product photography, ad images, team member portraits, and social media content is crucial. Consistency in background, lighting, styling, and editing techniques is essential for a brand’s identity and customer recognition.
-
Show off the style
In fashion photography, lighting, angles, and compositions are used to highlight fashion items. Frame the outfit to emphasize details, patterns, and texture, while ensuring the background, lighting, and props don’t distract from the clothing. A minimalist backdrop is crucial for a colourful outfit. Experiment with Bokeh and position a model to highlight specific garment details, such as intricate back designs or gown drapes.
-
Makes the props count
Props enhance photos by adding character and depth, creating a mood or narrative, and conveying brand messages. Natural settings or reclaimed items can subtly convey eco-friendly values. However, too many bright or complex props can overshadow clothing and accessories. Choose props that complement fashion items and blend seamlessly into the scene, reinforcing the shoot’s style and theme rather than contradicting it.
-
Put yourself in the position of the client.
Always put yourself in the shoes of the customer. Help them better understand the product by giving them an idea of how the fabric feels and what its features are. Then figure out how to condense it into fewer than seven images, which is typically the maximum number of images that customers will scroll through.
-
Make the most of your clothing item
To enhance product appearance in photos, inspect for flaws like stains, creases, holes, or missing buttons. If photographing clothes, iron or steam them for a clean appearance, saving time during post-production. Take close-up shots of notable elements like logos, buttons, seams, or imprints.
-
Take various angles with your fashion items.
Clothing images should provide more information than product descriptions, so it’s crucial to photograph your product from various angles for your online store. Displaying multiple images from different angles can provide a comprehensive view and highlight hidden product features.
-
Select the appropriate photo shoot location.
For simple product photography, invest in a setup with consistent lighting. Even if you want a look that resembles natural daylight, a photo studio with a flashlight is the best option.
Conclusion
In the end, we hope you know the importance of e-commerce fashion photography in enhancing brand visibility and converting visitors into buyers. To succeed, a fashion product photographer Montreal must use consistent visual language, appropriate tools, and techniques. Effective fashion photography requires careful prop placement, retouching, optimal lighting, and capturing products from various angles.