Product Photography for Your Pet Business

At the request of some fellow business website, postcards, newsletters, ad owners, I’m sharing some tips to im- campaigns, social media, menu, and so prove your product photography! Photos much more. One golden rule to keep in are very important for the branding, mind, the better your photos, the better feel, and identity of your business. You your sales. 18 can use well Copyright © 2013 Find A Groomer Inc. All rights reserved-curated photos for your Subscribe www.egroomer.com(Continued on page 19)

If people do not feel they can touch, smell or feel your products, make sure they see all the angles of them very well in your photography.

Below I’ve listed a few quick & dirty tips for busy entrepreneurs. I’m not a professional photographer but took a few semesters of photography in college and currently only use my iPhone camera. I do see a mini photo studio in my future. Until then, I use a corner of my that works well when needed to take some quick snapshots for business. I’m a huge fan of hiring professional business photographers and have done so in the past. Having your business and or large collections of products or lifestyle photos photographed is highly recommended. You can use those shots for all the aforementioned platforms above. For everyday social media posting and quick “behind” the scenes pictures. The tips below will help improve your everyday photo game for your business. 1. Use as much natural light as possible by getting close to a window. Place your item as close to a window as possible, free of shadows for the best possible light conditions. al studio set up, take photos when the lighting is right. Don’t take photos on a grey day or at night in front of the window because no filter exists that can fix your product photo to look as good as it should with good, natural lighting. 3. When using my phone to photograph close-up detail, I like using the photo app “SMO.” It’s free and gives a lot of product detail like the nonpareils above!

(Continued on page 20)

Leel Michelle is the owner and designer behind the award-winning pet groomer apparel brand, Retro Stylist Wear and the grooming salon and boutique; Bow Wow Beauty Shoppe. She is a San Diego native that has also called Los Angeles, New York and Italy home. Formal education in fine art, art history, and fashion design led this animal loving entrepreneur to bring all her passion, talents and knowledge together to create a memorable and beloved retro business for pets and their owners.

2. Speaking of lighting, if it’s not bright eGroomer Journal Copyright © 2011 Find A Groomer Inc. All rights reservedoutside and you don’t have a profession-

4. Whenever possible get your branding or “lifestyle moment” in the shot. It makes your brand easily recognizable wherever you post. 5. Buy a white photography filter online and put it between the light/window and your product. This helps minimize the shadow from the light. It also gives the shot a nice, dreamy glow. 6. Edit your photos to take everything out of the shot that doesn’t belong. Maintain your focus on product (aside from lifestyle photos where the items make the product an instant “lifestyle.”

7. Minimize editing time by doing a sanity and composition check. Make sure the photography area is very clean in order to minimize the need to photo edit things later. 8. Take several shots of your product. For example, take close-ups, lifestyle shots (like a dog eating cake), packaging, and as many angles as needed to give your clients a complete picture of your products. Use several shots if possible.

I hope this sets you on your journey to taking better photos! Until next time! Leel Michelle ◄