When you’re selling a product, the photo you use can make or break the sale. Great product imagery is especially valuable when selling candles, which customers purchase online without a chance to smell.
A great photo will make the candle enticing, while a poor photo will leave potential customers scratching their heads. This article will provide product photography tips to take great photos that will help your candles sell.
Tips To Create The Perfect Candle Photos
Before discussing creative shots to try out, let’s discuss some tips that will help you take great candle photos every time.
Safety First
This should go without saying, but candles are open flames and can be dangerous if not handled properly. However, some of the best shots of candles involve them being lit. Therefore, if you choose to take a photo with a lit candle, never leave it unattended, and be sure to blow it out after you finish taking pictures.
If you’re using a candle holder, ensure it’s stable and won’t tip over. Also, be cautious when setting up props or putting the candle next to anything flammable.
Adjust Exposure Settings
The best candle photos are well-lit, but not too bright. However, it can be difficult to achieve this balance because the flame of a candle can throw off the lighting of the shot. Therefore, you may need to adjust your exposure settings to account for the open flame.
If you’re using a DSLR camera, set it to manual mode to control the exposure settings. Start by setting the aperture to a low number like f/2.8 so that more light will come in. Then, experiment with different shutter speeds until you find one that works well.
Consider White Balance
White balance is how your camera adjusts for the different light colors in a scene. Unfortunately, this can also be difficult to manage due to the yellow light of the open flame, mixed with any potential light coming into your home or workspace. Therefore, you may need to experiment with different white balance settings until you find one that works well.
Introduce Props
Props can help add context to your candle photo and make it more visually attractive. Think about what would be used in conjunction with your candle and incorporate those items into the shot.
For example, if you’re selling a candle that would be used as part of a spa day, you could include a bathrobe, slippers, and some candles in the photo. Or, if you’re selling a candle customers would use for a romantic dinner, you could include a bottle of wine, some candles, and some rose petals. You could also use cute matches to light the candle for an action shot.
Choose A Suitable Background
The background of your candle photo is just as important as the candle itself. You want the background to be simple and uncluttered so that the focus is on the candle. A plain wall or piece of fabric is usually best. If you’re using props, make sure they are arranged in a way that doesn’t make the photo look too busy.
Take Multiple Photos
It’s always a good idea to take multiple photos of your candle from different angles and with different lighting. This way, you’ll have plenty to choose from when editing.
Great Photo Ideas To Try
Now that you know some tips for taking great candle photos, here are some ideas to get you started.
Lifestyle Shot
Lifestyle shots are a great way to show off your candle in use. You can take this type of shot in your home or office, and it should show the candle being used as it would in real life. For example, if you’re selling a candle customers would use for relaxation, you could take a photo of it burning on a bedside table with some books and a relaxing cup of tea.
Detailed Shot
A detailed shot is a close-up of the candle itself. This type of shot is great for showing off the texture and design of the candle. Again, make sure the candle is in focus and there are no distracting elements in the background.
Studio Shot
A studio shot is the classic up-close product photo. This type of shot is taken in a studio with professional lighting. The candle is usually the only thing in the frame, and it’s often shot from multiple angles. Furthermore, it is set in front of a plain background so that the focus is solely on the candle.
You don’t need a professional studio to take a studio shot. Instead, you can buy a small lightbox or make one from cardboard and white fabric. A lightbox is a great way to control your shot’s lighting and background for a clean look.
Group Shot
A group shot is a photo that includes multiple candles. This type of shot is great for showing off a variety of candle scents or colors. You can also use it to show how your candles can be used together, such as in a set. However, be very cautious with this type of shot if you have multiple open flames in your studio.
Packaging Shot
A packaging shot is a photo of the candle in its packaging. This type of shot is great for showing off the design of your packaging and how your candle will look when the customer receives it.
If possible, you might consider an unboxing action shot, where you take photos of someone unpacking a candle. These types of product shots can be engaging on a site.
Take Your Candle Photography to the Next Level
Candle product photography can be a great way to make your products stand out. Following these tips and ideas, you can take photos to sell your candles.