Creative, commercial photographers.

Catalogue photography – online vs. print

September 7, 2010

Catalogues for many years were the ultimate showcase of a company’s product range often using glossy or stylised photos to sell their products. However with the internet boom of the 90s print catalogues suffered a decline as companies used their websites to enable consumers a much easier and faster way to view and purchase their products. Now with the growth of online videos, customers can even get a full demonstration before they choose to buy – a feature print catalogues don’t offer.

However the age of catalogues is not quite over yet with both print and online now working together to form part of a company’s multi channel promotional mix. While most customer orders from catalogues are usually made online, research in the US has found that those receiving print catalogues are most likely to make purchases – but they will purchase online, rather than through the post.

Either way there’s no denying the importance of using the right photos in catalogues and on websites to make the products look appealing to buyers. While various factors contribute to successful catalogue photography, what continues to prove effective is the use of plain backgrounds to help enhance the visual qualities of the product. The right lighting is also crucial as it can give the product further dimension so it can almost appear as if it is right there in front of the viewer.

Using strong impactful product images in catalogues can ultimately lead to increased sales, and it requires the skill and expertise of the commercial photographer in Leeds to truly capture this magic.