is there a market for online product photography service

[stackoverflow]

business model: get client send products in for shooting
done the shoot
return the product
invoice & return the images

Obviously there is a limit on size/weight of products can be accommodated this way.

But would you consider? If you are an online retailer?
Do you nick stock photos for eBay listing?
Do you slap a watermark on your product photos for preventing other to use it?

interesting to see what you say

 

[Dawg]

Not only a market, but some pretty cute competition too.
http://www.packshot.com/ecommintruduction.php
(Navigation is nearly hidden in top left corner, proving you can't get everything right. Mystery Navigation is sooo '90s)

 

[Newcott]

Friend of mine works with musical instruments - he takes them to another photographer I know for the snaps, only 15 miles down the road so he'll load up the car and spend the day there.

 

[fiona davies]

i would say there is a big market for this. I have jewellery websites and jewellery is so hard to photograph. I would be happy to pack up my products to a photographer and have images taken.
Items would obviousley need to be sent secured delivery with tracking and insurance.

I also hate it when product images on a website are unclear, i just don't buy from these sites.

 

[davidjgoss87]

I have jewellery websites and jewellery is so hard to photograph. I would be happy to pack up my products to a photographer and have images taken.

We have used http://fotonic.co.uk/ for years for the jewellery and cufflinks on our site, they are exceptionally good at it. Tell them I sent you!

 

[Online Optimisation]

Hi
I have built a few ecommerce sites recently and yes images are a problem for some clients especially them selling bespoke items.
Lots of manufacturers will send you the product images on cd, that’s certainly been my experience anyway. Quite often I have asked my client if their manufacturer will do this and they have replied no, only to find out that when they speak to the sales department they will.
Like I said this isn’t always the case, I usually get a local photographer to take any photo that my clients need. I bill this as part of my services and then pay the photographer freelance. It may be worth contacting your local web designers see if they could lead you to any clients.
It’s not just product images, I also get the photographer in to talk professional shots of their premises, shop front etc to use on the web.
I would say you would have a lot of potential clients in your local area.
I also work with a Car dealership, they really struggle with their car images and I keep telling them that on the net it’s the image that sells the car (it’s the price that gets the person to look at the image). What about the small to mid-sized dealerships in your area.
Just my thoughts hope it helps....
James

 

[LinkBright Media]

Just found this one which looks pretty good: www.e-packshots.com

 

[ReformedGeek]

I totally agree with Fiona in that poor images will turn people away from a site and people need to put the effort in to making them look good.

While it does sound a good idea, it would not be feasible for some of the e-commerce sites we have done. Anything related to fresh food (sandwhich shop) or numerous bulky items (graphic printing machines) are a couple of our that spring to mind.

Have you considered offering both approaches?

 

[F1ink]

I'd say there is a good market for it, the markets I also have an interest in (niche sports type clothing) would make a use of such a service.
Problem is always getting suitable models..

 

[stackoverflow]

Model will add to the cost, but not astronomical.
I am running free test at the mo, wanting to get some new leads.

 

[aquarium plant food UK]

Something I will consider now (never thought about it before seeing this thread) as we have a small niche market with our own products, I really must find someone that can do this for some products shots! Hey ho spending MORE money

 

[stackoverflow]

pm sent

 

[nancy_r]

you can try selling your photos to more than one customer by uploading them to photo selling sites like

123rf.com
photobucket.com
shutterstock.com etc

try them out you may earn good rewards and new jobs if your photos do well in that market

 

[stackoverflow]

Thanks Nancy. I am not particular fancy becoming a provider to crow sourcing stock photo. I am more focus on targeting individual SME.

 

[ImageStreet]

We have been doing 360 degree photography for a while now and over the last year there seems to have been a big growth in companies offering this service and providing the hardware, turntables, software etc.

The retail industry are slowly starting to realise the potential of using short presentations, videoettes or the 360 interactive images on their websites but so far it tends to be the larger manufacturers using it, notably cars, motorbikes and some online fashion companies.

I would expect that within 5 years 360 product photography will be the norm rather than a curiosity

Nick

 

[Focusmode]

I've done packshots previously (we're a web agency, doing a sideline occasionally in photography.)

They're difficult to do effectively and efficiently (read: profitably) unless that is your core business, and you have the lighting setup, and are familiar with the intricacies of the art.

Jewellery is very difficult for a number of reasons... primarily reflections of the snapper and the (usually) black equipment and flash... Obviously a light tent will solve some of the flash issue, but you need to cloak the gear to prevent reflections of John Doe and Canon. Then you have to understand how to get highlights right to present it properly.

Clothing - don't go there, it's a nightmare unless you really get it... I did some lingerie once, and it took around an hour to set up for a single set. If you were doing it regularly, it would become much easier, granted.

I would say that to set up a profitable packshot business would be very, very difficult, unless you could establish and exploit a strong niche.

 

[makeusvisible]

If you are going to do it, try to retain the copyright to the images. Invest in something like copyscape, and monitor usage of your images. You would not believe how many online stores simply copy/paste their images from other websites without checking copyright.

 

[holmewoodorg]

Stackoverflow where are you. I have an office in Headingley in Leeds could do with that work I have 3 freelance photographers on my books just in case some are busy etc. Current project is for someone selling gadgets at 60k each to the police and government. In that field everything has to be non blurred and total class. I would be interested. From my point of view though I would go with someone local or if they had offices (not working from home) or at least their website looked professional. Your website is alright could do with tweeking. Even Mr site at 25 pounds a few hours and you can acheive a good result. Keep the watermark that you retain copyright, that is what venture photography do so the clients cannot take it elsewhere to be done (or any reputable company will refuse).

 

[Packshot Creative]

There is a growing market for images specific for websites. I work closely with a lot of small businesses with limited marketing budgets who require good product photography.

 

[Dawg]

Nice site David.

 

[Packshot Creative]

Cheers Dawg! Not bad for a self build...

 

[stackoverflow]

Stackoverflow where are you. I have an office in Headingley in Leeds could do with that work I have 3 freelance photographers on my books just in case some are busy etc. Current project is for someone selling gadgets at 60k each to the police and government. In that field everything has to be non blurred and total class. I would be interested. From my point of view though I would go with someone local or if they had offices (not working from home) or at least their website looked professional. Your website is alright could do with tweeking. Even Mr site at 25 pounds a few hours and you can acheive a good result. Keep the watermark that you retain copyright, that is what venture photography do so the clients cannot take it elsewhere to be done (or any reputable company will refuse).

I am in Reading holmewoodorg. Got a studio for portrait work. Product photography is just one area I branched out.

 

[Prodoto]

[FONT='Verdana','sans-serif']Hi All,[/FONT]
[FONT='Verdana','sans-serif'] [/FONT]
[FONT='Verdana','sans-serif']I read this thread with some interest and would just like to highlight that our services. We are a commercial photography studio specialising in all aspects of commercial photography (including fashion, lingerie and Jewellery)[/FONT]
[FONT='Verdana','sans-serif'] [/FONT]
[FONT='Verdana','sans-serif']Should any of you require any of the above services, please feel free to get in touch.[/FONT]
[FONT='Verdana','sans-serif'] [/FONT]
[FONT='Verdana','sans-serif'] [/FONT]

 

[Prodoto]

Hi All,

I read this thread with some interest and would just like to highlight our services. We are a commercial photography studio specialising in all aspects of commercial photography (including fashion, lingerie and Jewellery)

Should any of you require any of the above services, please feel free to get in touch.

 

[360 olive studios]

alot of people don't know what they want when it comes to web images but by imaging it 360 your clients get to see a full 360 every angle view of any product its quick and easily uploaded using flash.:redface: