171 | How to Take Professional Product Photos with Your Smart Phone with Chaitra Radhakrishna, PinkPot Studio
Hey friends! With the world being such a visual place, more and more of our customers are relying on product photography to tell them a story. We only have a few seconds to quickly grab our customers’ attention and get them engaged in what we’re selling.
That’s why in this episode I’m talking with Chaitra Radhakrishna. Chaitra is the founder of PinkPot Studio, a Shopify design and photography studio specifically for product-based business owners.
Chaitra shared so much valuable information in this episode about how to nail your product photography. You’ll hear about the 7 different product shots that you can take (and tips on deciding which shots to take). She also shares her 5 step process for taking photos with your smartphone which, spoiler alert: you don’t need to invest in fancy equipment or tools.
Be sure to listen with a notebook handy because she gives us so many insider tips on using the “rule of thirds”, apps she recommends for editing photos and her secret formula for editing photos in lightroom: making the whites low, turning the highlights up, going high on shadows and low on blacks.
ON TODAY’S EPISODE:
Common mistakes business owners make when it comes to product photography
The 7 different product shots all business owners need to know about
Her 5 step process for taking product photos with your smartphone
Why she recommends shooting on cloudy days
What the “rule of thirds” is and why you need to keep it in mind when shooting product shots
Her app recommendations for editing photos
Chaitra’s opinion on using Lightroom presets
What tools she suggests you use in Lightroom instead of presets
Her advice on not over editing your photos
What services she offers in her business, PinkPot Studio
Download These Quotables to Save and Share
KEY TAKE AWAYS
“When it comes to product photography, the main thing is communicating how the product really looks in real life online.” - Chaitra Radhakrishna
“It's all about communicating the value of your products and how your customer can use your products in real life.” - Chaitra Radhakrishna
“You want to take away any kind of confusion or answer any questions or objections that your customer might have when they are on the product page.” - Chaitra Radhakrishna
“Showing the process behind these products can go a long way in creating connection.” - Chaitra Radhakrishna
“It is our job to utilize these photos, to explain to customers how they can personally use it, how they can see it fitting into their life, how they could gift it to somebody else, and why it would be a meaningful product.” - Katie Hunt
“A well-styled photo is on brand, looks cohesive and tells a story.” - Chaitra Radhakrishna
“We do have to be careful of overuse of other people's products or decor in your product shots.” - Katie Hunt
“Some filters can absolutely alter the look of your product.” - Chaitra Radhakrishna
“Photos do the selling when we're not there.” - Katie Hunt
“Everything is so visual today. Like Pinterest, Instagram. Imagine, you don't even read a product description completely, but you definitely will look at all the product photos before you make that purchase.” - Chaitra Radhakrishna
RESOURCES:
Rifle Paper Co. Instagram
Bloomwold Studio TikTok
Snapseed
Adobe Lightroom
Free 5 Day Product Photography Course
MEET CHAITRA:
Chaitra is the founder of PinkPot Studio, a Shopify design + photography studio for product-based businesses. With over 4 years of experience in web design & development in the software industry, she started her own design studio in 2015 when she moved from India to the United States. New country, new business - it was nerve-wracking, but luckily her business took off and she never looked back. She thrives on helping women entrepreneurs create a bigger visual impact online and grow their businesses through conversion focused Shopify design and product photography. She has been featured and spoken at Alt summit, Craftcation, Snap conference, ConvertKit and Creative market among others.
CONNECT WITH CHAITRA
Webite: www.itspinkpot.com | Instagram: @pinkpot.studio
Connect with Katie Hunt
Katie Hunt is a business strategist, podcaster, mentor and mama to four. She helps product based businesses build profitable, sustainable companies through her conferences, courses and coaching programs.
Website: prooftoproduct.com | Instagram: @prooftoproduct
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