Why Photos Matter
Customers can't pick up a product in an e-shop. The photo is all they have. According to surveys, product photo quality is the main purchase decision factor for 75% of online customers.
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. An iPhone 15 or Samsung S24 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 500–1,500 CZK
- Light — natural daylight is best, or an LED panel for 1,000–3,000 CZK
- Phone tripod — 300–500 CZK
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) | 150–400 CZK |
| Lifestyle (in setting, arranged) | 300–800 CZK |
| Food photography | 500–1,500 CZK |
| Jewelry/watches (macro) | 400–1,000 CZK |
For an e-shop with 200 products, expect 30,000–80,000 CZK 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.
By the way — my online tools include AI background removal, product photo generation, and more utilities for e-shop owners. Try them for free.
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 also significantly boosts product-page conversion — 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 | 150–800 CZK | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | 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 and help with setting up Shoptet or Shopify e-shops where your photos will truly sell.