Why Photos Matter
Customers can't pick up a product in an e-shop. The photo is all they have. That's why product photo quality is among the things that influence a purchase decision the most.
Bad photos = low conversions. It's that simple.
But "quality photos" doesn't have to mean "expensive photos." Let's review three approaches and figure out what works for each budget.
Option 1: Phone Photography (DIY)
Modern phones take surprisingly good photos. Current mid-range and flagship phones can produce product photos that look professional on a website, if you know how.
What You Need
- Phone with a good camera, anything from the last 2-3 years
- White background, a sheet of paper or a photo tent for €20-60
- Light, natural daylight is best, or an LED panel for €40-120
- Phone tripod, €12-20
When It's Enough
Starting e-shop with dozens of products, simple products (clothing, accessories, books), limited budget.
Option 2: Professional Photographer
If you want photos that truly sell, a professional photographer is an investment that pays off.
Prices
| Type | Price per product |
|---|---|
| Basic (white background, 3 shots) | €6-16 |
| Lifestyle (in setting, arranged) | €12-32 |
| Food photography | €20-60 |
| Jewelry/watches (macro) | €16-40 |
For an e-shop with 200 products, expect €1,200-3,200 for complete photography.
Option 3: AI Generation
A new option that's changing the game. AI tools can remove backgrounds, create consistent visuals across your entire catalog, generate lifestyle scenes without arrangement, and enhance existing photo quality.
AI Prices
- Background removal: free to 5 CZK/photo
- AI product photos: 10-50 CZK/photo
- AI lifestyle scenes: 20-100 CZK/photo
AI Limitations
- Doesn't work well on complex products (transparent materials, reflections)
- Sometimes generates unrealistic shadows or proportions
- You need at least a basic input photo
- Not suitable for food photography (yet)
The Combination That Works Best
Best results come from combining approaches:
- Main product photos, professional photographer (invest in quality)
- Variants and supplementary shots, AI generation (save on volume)
- Social media and updates, phone (speed and freshness)
A short product video can also help the product page, customers want to see the product in action, not just in a static photo.
Summary
| Approach | Cost/product | Quality | Speed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Phone (DIY) | 0-50 CZK | ⭐⭐⭐ | Fast |
| Photographer | €6-32 | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | 1-2 weeks |
| AI generation | 5-100 CZK | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Instant |
If you're dealing with product photos for your e-shop and don't know where to go, get in touch. I offer professional photography (half-day shoot from €120) and help with setting up Shoptet or Shopify e-shops where your photos will truly sell.