As a product photographer, you will likely be commissioned to work on jewellery photography projects and in particular necklaces. All types of jewellery require a focus on detail and an understanding that even the smallest defect or error can really stand out in a photograph. As a product photographer, there are some key considerations to think about to make sure you provide clients with the very best images that improve traffic and conversions.

Get in the mind of the customer

Before you start preparing your studio or putting together a plan, it is important to get into the mind of the customer. This will start with understanding the company brand, tone and characteristics of their customer base. If a product photographer is able to draw up a list or prepare a breakdown of what a customer likes, then it will give direction and a far more effective end product. There are various ways to manage this process but working with the company is the best option as they are perfectly placed to know what their customers like and dislike.

Lighting

One of the most important aspects of jewellery photography is lighting. A product photographer who works with jewellery will likely choose a lightbox or a specific set of lighting techniques. A lightbox has the ability to diffuse light evenly and create shadows. This contributes to a more intimate, romantic and delicate theme that fits perfectly with jewellery such as a necklace.

It may be that other lighting techniques can help show off the particular style of necklace you are working with. This may be illuminating it from a different side or angle to create texture, or perhaps showing off the detail that you wish to emphasise.

Backgrounds

With jewellery photography, a product photographer will work with simple black and white backgrounds far more than any other type of background. This is partly because many e-commerce stores require plain white backgrounds but also because it helps them blend in and create a degree of uniformity with other products.

When choosing backgrounds then it is all about what works best for that specific product, such as a necklace or ring. A white background will look professional and uniform as highlighted above, but often a black background will help create a more dramatic, intimate look. Always think about what adds value to the product and doesn’t detract from it, making sure all detail is shown as expected.

Props

The choice of props for a product photographer is fairly simple when it comes to jewellery photography. You will either want a simple stand to hang the necklace on or use a model to show off the necklace. The fundamental rule to remember here is that you are trying to overcome the challenge of customers not being able to touch and feel the product in person. They may struggle to imagine how long the necklace is, how wide it may be or how it looks with a particular item of clothing.

Look back at your customer research and build this into your use of props. Furthermore, make sure you get a consistent look across all products you are shooting. This will make them look more attractive when uploaded to the e-commerce store.