5 product photography ideas to make your images sell

The best Shopify product photos don't just show. They sell. 

According to survey analyses by the Retail Technology Review, up to three-quarters of online shoppers say product photography impacts their purchasing decisions. So there’s no room for mediocre images in ecommerce.  

But even the most stunning product photos can leave indecisive shoppers unconvinced. These browsers need more than beauty — they crave information that proves your product is the right choice.

Give shoppers what they want. Adding extra information or insights to a product photo can erase hesitations and instill shopper confidence. When you strategically insert a detail, you squeeze every drop of value from your images.

Here are five product photography ideas to make your images more persuasive. They only take a few minutes and basic design skills. 
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#1 Clarify sizing

Including measurements in your product description is a must-do. 

But it can be a stumbling block for those who struggle with translating them — or lack the time or desire to consult a tape measure. 

Make it easy for anyone who tries to grasp a product’s scale from the images — an estimated 42% of consumers, per a Baymard Institute study. Provide perspective to eliminate uncertainty or confusion. 

Depending on the product, it could come in the form of: 

• Adding key measurements and extra context
• Showing the product next to an everyday object for comparison
• Using a human model to demonstrate perspective  

Fill in the gaps, and your customers will receive what they were expecting. That means happier customers for your Shopify store and fewer returns.

#2 Highlight key benefits

Consumers don’t purchase mindlessly, especially as the price tag rises. They want to know if a product suits their needs.  

Calling attention to your product’s value propositions can help. Put the spotlight on anything that demonstrates how your product positively impacts customers’ lives. 

If you have already baked the benefits into the product description, extract and condense them when adding to an image.  

Here are ways to bring this product photography idea to life: 

• Tell shoppers the results they can expect, backed by customer data
• Call out the key performance features and functional advantages

Highlighting even a single benefit or attribute in your product photos can reassure shoppers they're making an informed decision.

#3 Feature a customer testimonial

Nothing quite tops the persuasive power of customer reviews. A CardRates.com survey found that nearly all consumers (99%) read reviews before purchasing online, and 97% say reviews influence their decisions.  

Pick one of your product image variations and elevate it with a concise, memorable customer quote. You want a statement that shines and strikes a chord, not a bland one that offers no value. 

Choose testimonials that:

• Speak to the product’s quality or performance
• Illustrate how the product solved a problem or common pain point
• Communicate emotional impact, such as joy or a boost in confidence

Pass the mic to your customers. Only their voices — not your brands’ — create social proof.  
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#4 Decorate with a badge

Perhaps the simplest product photography idea is adding a badge. 

Do you want to tout your Shopify store’s best-sellers? Are you proud of your award-winning product? Are you running out of storage space and need to move end-of-season stock? Add a digital sticker. 

Badges succinctly communicate a concept, making your message easy to grasp.

Use badges to draw attention to a specific product attribute. They’re also the perfect solution to spotlight one key benefit rather than a list. 

#5 List what it’s made of    

Specify what goes into your products to build consumer trust. 

Like some other product photography ideas, this tip is more pertinent for some products versus others. For example, transparency is essential in the food and beverage industry. A report from FMI, the Food Industry Association, found that 76% of grocery shoppers want to know a product’s ingredients. 

Callouts for other industries might look like:

• Listing the primary ingredients of a beauty product
• Identifying the materials of a clothing or accessory
• Pointing out the non-toxic materials of a baby or children’s product

Enhance your product images with Canva Connect  

Unless you sell a niche product or face minimal ecommerce competition, you’ve got to make your product photos work hard.  

They need to convey that your brand has the best solution. So, let your beautiful images do a little more talking. 

Transform one of your product images — or leverage an unused one — and add whatever enhancement will spark buying confidence.

You can speed up the process with Shopify Connect for Canva. The app provides full access to all of your Shopify images and files right within your Canva designs.   

By providing more information with one of our product photography ideas, you’ll grow trust. The result? More sales, plus greater customer satisfaction when you set expectations and deliver upon them.