Now that Google is looking less favorably on stock photography you’ll be looking at options for original photos for your website. If your business produces products you’ll find this an easier solution. But when you provide services it can be more challenging to find ways to compose photos to represent your services.
Google has expanded its desire for original content to include original photography, and is looking less favorably on stock photography. It is part of how Google decides which websites have more authority. As the internet has morphed it’s a natural progression for each website to have its own original content for a unique online presence.
As you travel the internet you’ll begin to recognize stock photography as you see the same photo on multiple websites. Stock photography used to be a cost effective solution for website owners. Recent years have seen substantial increases in the cost of stock photography. If you choose 10 photos at $50 each for your website – you can afford to have original photos shot.
These two shots are staged. Using promotional items strengthens the branding, and also helps deter your website photos being stolen.
Another huge plus for having your own photos is Google’s image search. Your images will work as an advertisement for your services and products. Bring an original touch to your website. View more staged photography.
Fully staged this bedding shot combined full props, natural light and composite photography. Thorough experimentation with the sheets to find the best display for pattern and colors. All other elements needed to funnel the eye toward the bed sheets. Two products in the nightstand help to solidify the product in this grand setting. While an intimate shot this required placement of the bed, nightstand and shooting the window light separately to give maximum control.
Staging photography is about total light control. The shutter allowed light manipulation behind the olive oil bottle. The light in this case is a photographic light balanced and diffused to match sunlight. Separate lighting on the garlic, peppers and tomatoes give yet more control adding dimension to this olive oil bottle staging.
The fire behind the bourbon bottle was photographed waiting as the flames flared to balance the bottle, and monitoring the light it cast on the bottle, glass, cigar—even the limes. Ice cubes were created from acrylic – sized proportionately to fit the glass. The second staging for this product (see below) focuses on a clean sharp reflection accented by diffusion lighting.
Staging photography enhances a product in variety of ways, creating a beautiful setting with props, lights, visual aids or composite photography.
While this is a simple looking shot, it took multiple lighting techniques, composite photography and custom camera settings to achieve this desired look.
The same bottle was re-shot with a chilling blue (see below), using diffusion to create a background, precision is the key. 
Merchants selling on Amazon.com are asked to submit their catalog of product images on an all white background. There are a couple of ways to shoot your products to look their best.
These samples are not cutouts nor photo edited-these are as shot. Here is an example without any shadows:
Product Photo without shadows
Product Photography with shadow
Visit our Catalog Photography and Product Photography pages.