As the ecommerce industry continues to grow, so does the importance of product photography in attracting and converting potential customers.
In fact, a recent study found that 75% of online shoppers rely on product photos when deciding on a potential purchase. This highlights the crucial role that product photography plays in the success of an online store.
But how can you ensure that your product photos stand out from the competition and effectively communicate the value of your products to potential customers? The answer is product photo retouching.
In this article, we'll explore what product photo retouching is, how it can transform your ecommerce store, and the benefits it can bring to your business.
What is product photo retouching and how does it work?
Product photo retouching is the process of enhancing and improving the appearance of photos of products, typically for commercial purposes. The goal of retouching is to make the product look as attractive and appealing as possible, to help it sell.
There are many different techniques that can be used in product photo retouching, including:
- Removing blemishes or imperfections: This can include things like scratches, dust, and other marks that can detract from the appearance of the product.
- Adjusting the lighting and color: This involves brightening the photo, increasing the contrast, or adjusting the color balance to make the product look more vibrant and eye-catching.
- Enhancing the details: This can pertain to sharpening the edges of the product, or increasing the clarity and detail in areas that are important for selling the product.
- Adding effects: This means incorporating elements like reflections or shadows that can help the product look more lifelike and appealing.
The process of photo retouching can be time-consuming, as it often involves making many small adjustments to achieve the desired result. However, the end result is often a high-quality image that is much more effective at selling the product.
What types of product photos can be enhanced by a photo retouching service?
Photo retouching services can enhance various types of product photos, including but not limited to:
Fashion and clothing photos
These photos showcase the fit, style, and fabric of clothing products. They require retouching services to enhance the appearance of the clothing and make them look more appealing to the customers.
Jewelry photos
These photos require precise and intricate retouching services to showcase the sparkling details of jewelry pieces. Beauty and cosmetic product photos: These photos require retouching services to enhance the appearance of the product, make it look more appealing and to highlight its key features.
Food and beverage product photos
These photos need to be visually appealing to make the food and drinks look appetizing. They may require retouching services to remove blemishes, adjust lighting, and enhance the overall appearance.
Electronic product photos
These photos need to be clear, detailed and accurate to showcase the features and functions of the product.
Automotive product photos
These photos require retouching services to enhance the appearance of the vehicle and make it look more attractive to potential buyers.
Home décor and furniture photos
These photos need to be visually appealing to showcase the products in a living space. They may require retouching services to adjust lighting, remove blemishes, and enhance the overall appearance.
How long does it take to retouch a product photo?
The time it takes to retouch a product photo depends on several factors, such as the complexity of the image, the level of retouching required, and the workload of the retouching service provider. On average, retouching a single product photo can take anywhere from 30 minutes to several hours, depending on the aforementioned factors.
If you outsource the retouching work to a third-party service provider, the turnaround time will depend on the provider's workload and the agreed-upon delivery time. Some providers may offer a 24-hour turnaround, while others may take a few days. It's important to communicate your deadline requirements clearly with the service provider to ensure that your product photos are retouched within your desired timeline.
How much does product photo retouching cost?
The cost of product photo retouching in the United States can vary depending on the number of photos and the level of retouching required. For basic bulk retouching, the cost can range from $80 to $100, while for advanced retouching for fashion, beauty, product, or wedding photos, the cost can be between $100 and $200.
However, if you choose to outsource the retouching to a low-cost country like the Philippines, you can expect to pay a fraction of the cost compared to having it done in the US. The exact cost will depend on several factors, including the complexity of the retouching required and the vendor you choose.
What software do product photo retouching services use?
Product photo retouching services typically use a range of software tools to enhance the final product. The most frequently used programs include Adobe Photoshop, Lightroom, Corel Painter, DxO PhotoLab, and ON1 Photo RAW. These programs provide a variety of features for photo editing, including image correction, portrait retouching, color correction, noise reduction, and more.
Some product image retouching services may also utilize specialized plugins or add-ons to improve their workflow and attain more sophisticated retouching results.
What are the benefits of outsourcing photo retouching services?
Instead of hiring an in-house graphic designer to perform this function, businesses outsource it to a specialized service provider in ecommerce and take advantage of the following benefits:
Reduce on staffing costs
Outsourcing product photo retouching services can be more cost-effective than hiring in-house staff or investing in expensive editing software and hardware. By outsourcing, you can save money on salaries, benefits, and training costs, as well as avoid the upfront costs of purchasing and maintaining software and hardware.
Improve product presentation
High-quality product photos are crucial for attracting and retaining customers on an online platform. By outsourcing product photo retouching services, you can ensure that your photos are visually appealing, professional and consistent, which can greatly improve the overall presentation of your products. This can lead to increased customer engagement and sales.
Save on time
Product photo retouching can be a time-consuming process, especially for online retailers who have a large number of products to showcase. Outsourcing product photo retouching services can free up valuable time and resources that can be redirected towards core business activities such as product development, marketing, and customer service.
World-class expertise
Photo retouching is a specialized skill that requires a good understanding of color correction, lighting, and composition. By outsourcing product photo retouching services to a specialized company, you can tap into their expertise and experience in product photography, ensuring that your photos are of the highest quality and are optimized for online sales.
Increase staff productivity
By outsourcing photo retouching, your in-house team can focus on their core responsibilities, leading to increased productivity and better overall performance. This can help ensure that your business runs more efficiently and effectively.
Maintain brand consistency
Using the same retouching service for all your product photos can help ensure that your photos have a consistent look and feel, improving the overall customer experience and making it easier for customers to compare and shop for your products. This can help establish your brand and increase customer loyalty.
How do I choose the right product photo retouching service?
Choosing the right product photo retouching service can be a valuable investment for your online store. By following these basic steps, you can easily find the best among a pool of skilled professionals.
1. Look for quality work: Before hiring a retouching service, look at their portfolio to see the quality of their work and if they have experience retouching product photos.
2. Check for fast turnaround time: If you're in a hurry to get your photos retouched, make sure the service you choose has a fast turnaround time.
3. Get a quote: Get a quote from several different retouching services to compare prices and ensure you're getting the best value for your money.
4. Look for flexibility: Make sure the retouching service you choose is flexible and can accommodate your specific needs and requests.
5. Consider the communication process: Good communication is key to ensuring your photos are retouched to your satisfaction. Look for a service that makes it easy for you to communicate with their team.
6. Check for transparency: Make sure the retouching service you choose is transparent about their process and what they will do to your photos.
7. Assess for experience: Choose a retouching service that has a lot of experience in retouching product photos and has a good reputation.
8. Consider the format: Make sure the retouching service you choose can deliver your photos in the format you need, whether it's JPEG, TIFF, or another format.
9. Read reviews: Read online reviews and testimonials from other customers to see what they have to say about the quality of the service and the results they got.
10. Ask for a sample: Before you hire a retouching service, ask for a sample of their work so you can see the quality of their retouching for yourself.
Optimize Your Ecommerce Visuals with Outsourced Customer Care
Enhance your product photo retouching strategy by integrating insights from outsourced customer care at ManilaPros. Our deep understanding of customer preferences and feedback can significantly enhance the impact of your product images.
By partnering with ManilaPros, you can count on us to provide five-star customer care for retailers. We're a full-service company that can take care of all your customer service needs for you, including getting vetted, trained, and certified agents for your brand. We'll also provide you with a dedicated account manager that can gather valuable feedback for your visual needs.
Book a call with us today to learn more about how our retail customer care services can help you.
