Mar 16, 2025
10 Absolute Best Ways To Photograph Clothing
Imagine scrolling through your social media feed and stopping at a picture of a shirt. The image looks so good that you can almost feel the fabric. Suddenly, you're intrigued by the shirt and want to learn more. Well, this is the power of clothing photography. Great clothing photography can spark curiosity and interest in your audience, so they want to learn more about your products. This blog will explore the best ways to photograph clothing so you can take eye-catching images that capture your target audience's attention.
One of the best ways to improve your clothing photography skills is to use Caspa's AI product photography platform solution. Caspa can help you take stunning pictures of your products in no time - no more tedious setup or complicated equipment. Before you know it, you'll have a catalog of beautiful clothing images to help you sell more products and reach your goals.
Table of Content
10 Absolute Best Ways To Photograph Clothing
1. Flat Lay Clothing Photography
Flat lay photography is one of the best ways to photograph clothing for eCommerce. This method achieves a simple impression in an online store. Since no mannequins or models are involved in this photography style, you only need to lay out the clothes and take the shots.
This approach works great for many products, but not every clothing item suits flat lay photography. So, remember to choose wisely.
2. Ghost Mannequin Photography
When purchasing apparel, visitors try to consider how the item will fit them and how it should appear. Using ghost mannequin photography to create 3D effects all around the clothing can make people feel like they are wearing it.
When you can’t afford to employ a model, a mannequin might be a good alternative for eCommerce store fashion photography. In comparison to model photography, this method saves time and labor. Make sure you take numerous photographs to ensure you get the ideal one.
3. Using Hangers
Hangers keep garments in shape and prevent creases, significantly impacting clothing photography ideas. To do this, gather at least a dozen hangers, iron the clothes, hang them on the hangers, and take the pictures.
4. Model Clothing Photography
Hiring a model is one of the best clothing photography ideas, as it can create various looks. Models can strike a variety of stances and allow you to photograph the product from multiple angles. This will enable you to present it in the most enticing light possible.
When comparing clothing photography ideas online, you’ll notice that clothing photographs featuring a lovely and handsome model receive the most attention.
5. Lifestyle Photoshoot
A lifestyle photoshoot is a more realistic type of photoshoot where clothing products are worn by models to represent a real-life image of the products. Other features, like real-life clothing photography backgrounds, are also added to provide an authentic look and help the customer visualize better.
Lifestyle photo shoot clothing ideas are beneficial as they develop a strong visual of the product and its styling in the customer’s mind. This can lead to increased engagement and sales.
6. In a 3D-Like Space
This method also makes your product look more real-life-like, like those in action and items placed at an angle. It is achieved by putting apparel on hangers at a slight angle to the camera and then editing the hangers out in post-production.
This idea makes a garment fly in space, so it’s fantastic for shooting all the NASA-like products as if the piece is levitating. If you shoot kids’ tops in this manner, it also suggests to parents the active lifestyle of their child when wearing this piece, which, in the era of gadgets and nonstop screen time, can also prompt a purchase more readily.
7. Use a Group Shot to Showcase the Spirit of a Series
Every garment has a mood and conveys a specific message. I am chillaxed, stylish, classy, and a social ninja, and I like attention. You get it. Casual wear often has this ingredient of a rebel spirit, a devil-cares-not attitude. You might want to throw a few items in one shot, layered casually on each other, to showcase this character.
8. Hero Shots with Props
This is an all-time favorite for category images that gather many social media clicks, raising your brand's engagement. Using colored backgrounds and relevant props is a great way to render a certain mood or set a scene. Books, flowers, dried branches, strings of pearls, cigar boxes, a hand-carved wooden walking cane, and a fedora hat all dictate a certain mood in a shot when positioned alongside a piece of clothing.
9. On a Rack
This is also an excellent idea for a category or social media shot. This may be a good choice if you think of doing a hero shot for a collection. Hang your clothing on a rope or a rack so that users can appreciate the collection’s:
Texture
Color pallets
Feel
A jeans collection will look great if you use a thick marine-type rope. Silk blouses will look fantastic if you line up all the pieces in an orderly fashion on a steel rack.
10. Laid Out at an Angle
Front-on shots are omnipresent and slightly overused, as it’s a marketplace standard. Feel like throwing a bit of dynamics into your clothing image? Lay it out at an angle. Such positioning is best for sports and casual wear, which call for action.
Related Reading
• Fashion Photography Tips
• Ecommerce Fashion Photography
• T Shirt Product Photography
Equipment Needed For Clothing Photography
A Camera for All Seasons
Professional photographers use a DSLR or mirrorless camera for fashion shoots. With their precision lenses and large sensors, these cameras produce high-resolution images suitable for printed publications. DSLR and mirrorless cameras also have fast and accurate autofocus systems for capturing subjects as they move while posing. These cameras have interchangeable lenses, which offer more creative scope in fashion photography.
Keep in mind that wide-angle lenses can affect the perspective of an image. Short focal lengths such as 18mm or 35mm will distort the outfit and make the model look much more significant than they are. Focal lengths from 50mm to 100mm are better for capturing the correct dimensions of the product.
Backdrops Make the Shot
A quick way to improve the quality of fashion photos is to have a studio backdrop. Using paper rolls adds the option of background colors for creating a specific look. For example, a white backdrop is minimalistic, vibrant colours bring artistic flair and fun, and a black backdrop is dramatic. A studio backdrop ensures photos have a consistent and professional look in an advertising campaign.
Tripods Steady the Shot
Another method for gaining consistency in fashion shots is to attach the camera to a tripod. With the camera in a fixed position, the angle of the images remains constant. The tripod also provides stability for the camera, enabling sharp photos when using slower shutter speeds. Tripods are available at prices that suit all budgets, but buy a sturdy one that extends to eye level.
Bright Lighting Is Your Friend
Usually, to achieve an aesthetic look, you need very natural lighting. The lighting can be bold since we focus on the fashion industry. Also, bright lights help to get the actual color. So, it’s up to you and your product. Your preference will matter here. So, if you have a reflective product to shoot, stick with natural lighting—reflective products like jewelry, metal, mirrors, and similar things.
But if your product is clothes or anything that doesn’t have a reflective surface, you might not need anything light. You can use artificial bright lights, light stands, light boxes, etc. But if you plan to shoot in natural light, remember the timing. Try to shoot in bright daylight when the sun is up so the product’s color is visible in the picture.
Other Important Elements
These are the unskippable equipment. But besides them, there are many other elements like:
Light cones
White paper
Glue
Stick
Double-sided tape
Blu-tack
Hangers
Mannequins and many more
These will depend on your product and style. What style have you chosen for your product? You will know what other equipment and elements you need depending on your product and style.
AI-Powered Product Photography: How Caspa Reduces Costs and Boosts Sales
Caspa helps eCommerce brands create stunning product photography with AI, eliminating the need for multiple tools that traditionally eat up to 20% of revenue, like:
Photographers
Models
From creating ultra-realistic product shots with human models to editing existing photos, Caspa's all-in-one AI product photography platform handles everything from background removal to upscaling, letting brands produce professional marketing visuals in seconds.
Whether you need custom stock photos or complete studio editing capabilities, Caspa streamlines the entire product visualization workflow into a single, cost-effective solution. Get AI product photos that increase your sales today!
How To Plan & Take Excellent Clothing Photos In 8 Steps
1. Plan Your Photoshoot Like a Boss
Before snapping pictures, do some research. Look at successful clothing brands and analyze their photography style. Are they using ghost mannequins, lifestyle shots, or flat lays? Clarifying your concept will help you stay focused and save time during the shoot.
2. Stay Consistent for a Polished Brand Aesthetic
Consistency is key to a polished brand aesthetic. If you’re going for lifestyle shots, stick to that style across all your images. Mixing different styles—like ghost mannequin shots and lifestyle photos—on the same page can confuse shoppers and break your store’s visual flow. Pick one or two styles and master them.
3. Master Lighting to Make Your Clothing Look Amazing
Lighting can make or break your clothing photos.
Choose your setup based on the photography style you’re aiming for:
Ghost mannequin or flat-lay photography? Use a simple background with studio lighting.
Lifestyle clothing photography?
Natural lighting is your best friend. Position the light source behind your camera for the best effect.
If your lighting isn’t great, apps like Photoroom can help you adjust brightness, shadows, and contrast.
Use the Right Camera (But Your Phone Works, Too!)
A DSLR or mirrorless camera with a 50mm to 200mm lens is ideal for capturing depth and sharp details. But if you’re on a budget, don’t stress. Modern smartphones can also take high-quality photos. Just tweak the camera settings for sharper focus and better exposure.
Pick a Location That Matches Your Brand
If you’re shooting lifestyle photos, your background should complement your clothing and target audience.
Selling business wear? A sleek office setting works best.
Casual streetwear? An urban environment makes more sense.
Choose a location that enhances your brand story.
Capture Multiple Angles (More Options, Less Regret!)
Take at least 5-7 shots from different angles so you have plenty of options. Clothing can have subtle imperfections that may not be obvious on set, so having extra shots gives you backup choices when selecting the final images.
Retouch Like a Pro
Once you’ve selected the best shots, give them a polished finish with professional editing. Adjust lighting and color balance and remove any harsh shadows. If you're showcasing apparel on a model, smooth out wrinkles and refine skin tones.
AI-powered editors like Caspa can speed up the process, making your images look sharp and professional in minutes.
Related Reading
• Shoe Product Photography
• Flat Lay Clothing Photography
Why is Photography Essential For Your Clothing Brand?
Photography is essential for clothing brands to boost sales and increase customer satisfaction metrics. Clothing photography builds brand identity, reduces return rates through clear visual communication, and influences customer loyalty and spending.
Visuals Build Trust and Reduce Returns
High-quality clothing photography builds trust with online shoppers. Studies show that over 85 percent of consumers prioritize product visuals over text when purchasing online. If your images accurately reflect your products, you’re more likely to meet customer expectations and reduce returns.
Clear, high-resolution images ensure shoppers know exactly what they’re getting. One of the top reasons for returns is that the product doesn’t match its online photos or description.
Related Reading
• Fashion Photography Examples
• Clothing Brand Photoshoot Ideas
Get AI Product Photos that Increase Your Sales for Free Today
When it comes to product photography for eCommerce, the goal is to create compelling imagery that encourages your audience to click that “buy” button. But unlike other products, clothing has a unique structure and can easily take on a visual appearance that doesn't translate well in photos.
Optimizing Clothing Photography: Styling, Accuracy, and Post-Production Editing
For instance, if a photo of a shirt is taken while the fabric is wrinkled, crumpled, or bunched up, the image can give the impression that the actual product is damaged. You can avoid these pitfalls with clothing photography by styling your items so they look their best before you photograph them.
Beyond that, capturing images that accurately depict the product’s actual color, size, and details is essential to eliminate surprises for shoppers. Post-production editing is crucial in clothing photography. This process allows you to remove distracting backgrounds, enhance visual appeal, and create consistency across product images for your online store.
