Clothing photos without a shoot: how to photograph garments

Clothes sell better on a person: the buyer sees the fit, the length and how the fabric falls. But a model, a photographer and a studio for every new item are out of reach for most small shops. Today a garment can be shown on a created model or as a neat flat lay from one good photo. Here is how to take that photo.

How to photograph a garment

Three ways to photograph a garment

Flat lay. The garment lies flat on the floor or a table, shot from directly above. The easiest way to start.
On a hanger. Hung against a plain wall. Good for dresses, shirts and coats.
On a mannequin. Gives the garment a body shape. The best source for showing it worn.

Any of the three can become a picture of the item on a model or a clean catalog image.

How to prepare the garment

Iron or steam it. Every crease shows, and on a model it looks like a defect.
Remove tags, threads and lint.
Button up and zip up the way the garment is usually worn.
Straighten the collar, sleeves and hem. For a flat lay, fold the sleeves neatly along the body.

How to take the photo

A plain background: white, light grey or a neutral wall, without patterns.
Even daylight by a window, without direct sun and without a flash.
The whole garment in the frame, with a little space around it.
Straight on: directly above a flat lay, at the middle of a garment on a hanger or mannequin.
True colors. Compare the photo with the garment by daylight; a wrong shade is the most common reason clothes are returned.
Details separately: a close-up of the fabric, the print, the buttons, the label.

What to tell about the model

When you order a picture on a model, say who your buyers are: age, style, the kind of setting (studio, street, home). Ask for the same model and style across a collection, so your shop looks consistent.

Be honest with buyers

The garment on the model must look like the real one: the same color, length, fit and details. If the item runs small or large, say so in the description. A beautiful picture that does not match the item brings returns, not sales.

In short

An ironed garment, a plain background, daylight and the whole item straight on: that is the photo that becomes a picture on a model or a neat flat lay. If you have such a photo, order your clothing on a model: you upload a flat, hanger or mannequin photo, and get your garment shown worn. Payment is released only after you approve the work.