Jewelry buyers love handmade jewelry because each piece offers them the chance to own something unique. However, artisan jewelry makers often have a hard time getting their pieces out where potential customers can find them. Heading to one of the various online markets out there is a great way to do it, but that presents another problem: you have to get good at photographing your jewelry in order to sell it. Here are 3 tips and tricks that will help you take the best shots of your wares and help you sell your jewelry online:
1. Get a light box.
A light box (sometimes called a "soft box") is an essential for photographing handmade jewelry. Because you're photographing shiny stuff with a lot of curves and angles, it can be hard to capture all the fine details of a piece. Reflections on the metal can be the bane of your existence.
A light box works by diffusing the light from one or more sources into a closed chamber, which ends up producing a soft and even result. This helps intricate patterns emerge, eliminates harsh shadows, removes glare, and shows off smooth surfaces. You can buy a light box if you want or make one yourself out of a cardboard box, fabric, and tape.
2. Show the dimensions.
One of the hardest things to convey when you're selling jewelry online is the dimensions of a piece -- but it's also very important to do so. Buyers who like petite pieces are going to be unhappy if they buy a piece that's larger than they realize. Those who like bold jewelry are going to be upset with something that's too small.
One way to show dimension is to invest in a few display forms. If you choose a necklace display form that's full size, with a head, rather than a bust that cuts off at the neck, you'll give viewers a better idea of how long a particular piece hangs. Another option, however, that can work for necklaces, bracelets, earrings, and rings is a hand form. If you pick one that is upright, you can dangle just about any kind of jewelry item off the fingers in a graceful display.
3. Keep it clean.
A prop or two in your photographs can be useful, especially if the objects relate to your brand in some way. Do you create nature-themed jewelry? A pendant resting against a leaf might be lovely and appropriate. Is your jewelry very feminine and delicate? A necklace draped over a perfume bottle could set the right tone. Just don't get caught up on the decor and forget that your jewelry is the star of the show. You want your jewelry to be the most interesting thing in the photograph, not the accent pieces.
Whatever you decide to do, make sure that you take several shots of each piece. Capture the way that a piece looks from a distance and then take close-ups of unique features, including unusual stones, focal points, and clasps. Your photographs can either draw buyers in and capture their interest or cause them to skip right by, so spend some time practicing with the camera until you learn to take photos that truly showcase the beauty of your work.
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