Value of Good Product Photography - Websites

DonColorado

From another forum this issues was raised...........

ziggy53 wrote:

Unfortunately, you see a lot of really bad product photography on the Internet because most places don't commit the proper resources for good images.

When approaching prospects for doing product photography business it would be interesting to know if there are any statistics about, "Value of Good Product Photography - Websites" to use in pointing out the benefits to product sellers of improving the photo images on their website.

How do other product photographers approach product photography sales and if they use data that supports the sales benefits of improving images on websites.

DonColorado

Cygnus Studios

As far as I know there are no websites showing statistics for product photography.
With the new clients that I meet with, the question of statistics have not come up. Most were using low end equipment or an employee who could take pics.

R.Leonardo

Well, quality photography can be, and often is the first impression... statistics do not matter in this then. Poor product photography is peppered everywhere and the results are very likely causing some suffering to the businesses and service industries that try to promote themselves with it. It is basic marketing, image = impression.

DonColorado

Value of Good Website Photography

R.Leonardo wrote:

Well, quality photography can be, and often is the first impression... statistics do not matter in this then. Poor product photography is peppered everywhere and the results are very likely causing some suffering to the businesses and service industries that try to promote themselves with it. It is basic marketing, image = impression.

Yes, this is not the kind of subject that is readily measurable............my original post was hopeful that someone had seen some study data or had results from client experiences. With websites improving quality and innovation today, a stodgy website with weak graphics and photos is going to get passed on quickly.

Thanks for the thoughts that each of you have shared here.

DonColorado

Cygnus Studios

DonColorado wrote:

my original post was hopeful that someone had seen some study data or had results from client experiences.

I am a product photographer, and deal with clients everyday who do not understand the difference between good and bad photos. It is so far down on the list of their priorities that most couldn't care one way or the other.
The most important consideration that clients have is does your price fit within their marketing budget. In good times and bad, business owners look at their bottom line. Most will not consider the what if's unless you are willing to put your money where your mouth is.
Now if you are willing to prove/backup your message of better sales through better photos, most will listen. General statistics will never convey this to the owner.
On the good side of this, once the first couple of clients see more revenue, the word of mouth will spread like wild fire. They act as if they were the first business owner in the world to realize that better photos equals better sales.
I was a retail business owner for many years and learned photography in order to get better photos. So I can understand this from both sides. Now that I am the one on the other side of the desk selling the idea of better photos I keep in mind what it is like for the owner.
You need to keep the rule of want versus need in mind. Just because you know the end result doesn't mean that the client will.

DonColorado

Cygnus Studios wrote:

I am a product photographer, and deal with clients everyday who do not understand the difference between good and bad photos. It is so far down on the list of their priorities that most couldn't care one way or the other.................
Now if you are willing to prove/backup your message of better sales through better photos, most will listen................. General statistics will never convey this to the owner.

Thanks for your experienced observations.

It is a fact that some people who sell and some people who buy would not recognize or be effected by a compelling image compared to a mundane image. For those who do have some eye, they are a much easier sell for upgrading the look of their website offerings by showing them some interesting similar examples of images.

If I'm able to find any quantifiable results of sales increases resulting from improved imagery, this would strengthen my sales message. Market research is done in so many places, universities, market research companies, etc. that there may be some data out there that could help........I'm keeping my eyes and ears open. But, of course, the most important aspect of selling one's work, especially assignment photography, is to beat the bushes, meet and greet, show examples, offer testimonials, etc..........all those things under the "networking" umbrella.

DonColorado

Cygnus Studios

DonColorado wrote:

If I'm able to find any quantifiable results of sales increases resulting from improved imagery, this would strengthen my sales message.

Contact the university closest to you. If the business dept has no study ask who might. A lot of the larger universities have all sorts of weird studies as part of their business programs, might be worth the call.