Mar 12, 2025

17 Incredible Ideas For Shoe Product Photography

female heels between roses - Shoe Product Photography

You know the pressure to take great photos if you sell shoes online. You might even obsess over getting the perfect image. And it’s no wonder. Research shows that excellent product photography can boost sales by as much as 300%. The better your shoe product photos, the more customers will trust your brand and products. And when it comes to clothing photography, shoes are in a league of their own. Why? They’re often the focal point of outfit images. So, the better your shoe product photos, the more likely your images are to impress and attract buyers. This article will give you incredible ideas for shoe product photography to help your images stand out.

Caspa can help you achieve your goals using artificial intelligence to get better product photos faster. Our AI product photography platform is designed to help online sellers like you create stellar product photos that boost sales.

17 Incredible Ideas For Shoe Product Photography

person holding a shoe - Shoe Product Photography

1. Nail the Prep Work for Your Shoe Photography Shoot

Before you start product photography, the most important thing to do is plan and research thoroughly. You must have a clear idea of each step involved in the process so that your photos turn out exactly as you want them to. Researching doesn’t mean sitting at a desk for hours; it means being efficient with your time so that you get the information you need. Before you start, clearly define your goals and research the steps to achieve them, such as camera settings, lighting, background, angles, etc. You should also ask yourself how many pairs of shoes you need to shoot and what colors you need.

2. Location, Location, Location… For Shoe Photography

Where you take pictures of shoes is very important if you want them to turn out well. Shooting outdoors for the best results is best because natural lighting accurately represents the footwear. Since footwear needs proper lighting, it can be challenging to get good indoor shots. While shooting indoors, you must ensure that the light is evenly distributed. If you’re taking pictures of shoes indoors, don’t put them on a shiny surface. The light reflection and shadow will disrupt the product image.

3. Go with White Backgrounds for Shoe Product Photography

The background color is essential to getting the best results from your product photos. Choose a white background when photographing shoes to bring out their color. A white background helps keep the shoes’ colors intact and allows the focus to be on the shoes in the photograph. This is true regardless of the model, props, and other factors. Also, avoid using a stuffed or cluttered background, as this can detract from the shoes’ appeal. If you’ve already shot your products against a colored background, don’t worry! You can edit those images and get the background removed or changed to white with a clipping path service like Pixel by Hand. We can take your photos and make them look like they were shot on a white background, no matter the original background color.

4. Ditch the Flat Lay Photography

If you want to make your photos of shoes look more interesting and dynamic, don’t lay them flat. When you lay shoes down instead of displaying them correctly, the details are more challenging, and potential customers are less likely to be interested. The colors also appear unappealing when not displayed well. If your display is not up to the client’s standards, they are less likely to buy shoes from you, which will cost you money.

5. Hire a Model to Showcase Your Shoes

Your potential customers always visualize how they will look before buying any product, footwear included. To captivate them online, you must show your shoes as if someone is wearing them. You can even create the illusion that someone is wearing them. A professional photo retouching service provider can help you do this effectively. A model will help you show the shoes from different angles, and you can also use props to make the photos more eye-catching. You can even style the models’ hair and clothes to complement the footwear and make the whole look come together.

6. Use Lighting to Help Focus

Proper lighting can help set the mood and make a room feel more inviting, but it also dramatically affects our focus. While glare from overhead fluorescent lights may be one of the most commonly cited productivity killers in modern offices, poorly placed task lamps are often just as guilty of disrupting our concentration. Use natural lighting whenever possible, as dark lighting can cast shadows, making it difficult to show the footwear properly. Sunlight can negatively affect your photo, so avoid having the light fall directly on your set. For better lighting, you can use a lightbox or three lamps placed around the perimeter of your subject.

7. Pay Attention to the Small Details

Although photographers often use soft focus to make their shots more creative, we don’t recommend using it for product photography. Customers usually want to see a clear product image before purchasing it. When photographing shoes, focus on the finer details like laces, stitching, and soles. People usually look at these when shopping for shoes online, so you want to ensure they’re visible in your photos.

8. Get Shots from a Variety of Angles to Create More Interesting Photos

You must always consider the client’s mindset regarding online sales or product display in general. Customers want to be able to view shoes from different angles before making a purchase. They can’t decide whether or not to buy simply by looking at the product from one perspective. Many product photographers make the mistake of taking photos of shoes from one angle, which doesn’t show the shoes off. Be sure to take pictures from various angles so potential customers can get a good idea of what they’re buying.

9. Unleash your Creativity!

Product photographers can truly show off their creativity by thinking outside the box. For example, you can add reflections to your shots by placing your shoes in a slightly elevated position and pouring water down the length of the shoe. Doing so will create a reflective surface for taking pictures. You can also use different textures and backgrounds to make your photos more interesting. Just remember to focus on the shoes themselves.

10. Use an Experienced Model for Your Shoe Photography

If you want to make your footwear photography look more professional, a styled photoshoot with a model is best. A model displaying a product excites potential buyers to purchase the item. It’s not easy to sell footwear online. You have to show customers the shoes in a way that makes them confident they’ll look good wearing them. This is where hiring a model comes in, as it shows how a person will look while wearing the shoes. A good model will know how to pose and style the boots in a way that makes them look their best. If you’re not experienced in working with models, we recommend hiring a professional photographer who is.

11. Push Your Best Shoe Products Out There

While taking photos of multiple shoes for making photo collages, you should keep the shoes that will show best in your final product at the front. Customers will naturally gravitate towards the front products in a collage. If I have brightly colored shoes, I place them closer to the frame, nearer images are more likely to capture customers’ attention.

12. Avoid Disrupting the Frame

While taking shoe photos, keep the product image clear and free from clutter. Keep the subject matter central in the frame, but do not include too much negative space. Remove any irrelevant elements from the shot. I only include relevant props in my product photos that will not detract from the intent of my brand. Online store product images are often of poor quality and fail to capture potential customers’ attention, leaving them feeling uninterested and unenthused about the product.

13. Leverage Daylight

Good lighting is essential for product photography to make your products appealing to customers. The right light can make a shoe photo look glossy and glamorous, while lousy lighting will damage the photograph’s purpose. We recommend using natural light for shoe photos. You can take advantage of daylight by photographing near a window or outdoors. If you’re shooting indoors, turn off artificial lights and open the curtains to let in as much natural light as possible.

14. Focus on the Right Area of the Shoe

Keep your product focused so the customer can get all the details. Images with soft focus may look artistic, but they won’t give potential buyers enough information about the item. Try to take full-focus pictures so viewers can see everything. Use a higher aperture on your camera.

15. Add Reflection Shadow

Adding reflection shadows can make your shoe photos look more artsy and sophisticated. You can use Photoshop to create shadow effects, but if you want the shadows to appear in the image during the shoot, we suggest taking the pictures from atop a glass surface. You can use a mirror to create the illusion of more water, or if you are thinking outside the box, keep some water just beneath the product. Outdoor photo shoots will have natural lighting effects due to the shadows cast by the sun.

16. Create a Story

Take your product photos to the next level by incorporating a concept or story. For example, if you are taking pictures of shoes for a sports store, use an athlete as your model. If you want to sell walking shoes, use someone who looks like they love hiking or walk regularly. The options are endless! But always try to choose somebody in the related field for authenticity purposes. Create a story about an infamous event with that model, and take pictures of the shoes or make brand-promoting videos. If you want to shoot fantastic photos, look at the work of accomplished photographers and videographers for inspiration, then create your own story.

17. Get 360˚ Shoe Photos

3D or 360˚ photography is one of the latest trends, and it’s beneficial for small product photos, such as shoes or jewelry. It provides shoppers with detailed views of products before they make a purchase. This is an excellent way to show off your product from every angle and allow potential buyers to see the shoes from all sides. To get started, you’ll need a 360˚ camera rig. You can either buy one or rent one from a local photography store. Once your rig is set up, take pictures of your shoes from all angles.

4 Best Tips To Take Amazing Shoe Photos For Ecommerce

air jordan shoes - Shoe Product Photography

1. Master The Light Like A Pro

Choosing the right light is crucial to producing an appealing photograph! Stay as far away as possible from harsh lighting. Poor lighting can result in improper colors and unwanted shadows. Try to keep your light natural and soft. If you have a window nearby, use the natural light that can pour in. Invest in a softbox if you don’t have access to a window! If you are shooting outdoors, try to shoot during an overcast period or when the sun is not bright. You might find a nice shaded area.

2. Don't Get Creative With Your Focus

A shallow depth of field isn't something you want to aim for. When you softly focus, parts of the shoe will get lost, making it difficult for the viewer to see the product. Keep your aperture high, around f/11, to get the shoe in focus. Another great way to keep your camera very still and in focus is to use a tripod. Using a tripod will eliminate camera shake and prevent blurry photos.

3. Keep a Great Perspective

Give your client several shots of the footwear to show off the product. Get every angle you can think of. You would rather have more options than fewer. Try to think like the consumer. You look at it from every angle when you purchase shoes or anything. And remember, all angles should be flattering!

Comprehensive Shoe Photography: Capturing Every Essential Angle and Detail

Here is a list of all the angles and perspectives of the shoe you need to capture:

Both pairs of shoes are at an angle. Take pictures of the left and right sides of the shoes.
Both shots should be head-on: an angled shot of the left side and right side, the front and back of the shoe, and an aerial shot.
Ensure you get a shot of the shoe's detail. Especially if it has a pattern or a unique texture. You want the viewer to fully

4. Don't Forget About Post-Production

When you are in post-production, you can start by cropping your images. If anything in your frame is unwanted or has too much negative space, crop it out. When you do crop, make sure you follow guidelines so your images are consistent with each other. Consistency is crucial in showing professionalism and that all your photos belong together. Use guidelines to help me with cropping to ensure the bottom and top of the shoe all align. When you give the final product to your client, ensure that the photos will be compatible with web standards.

Equipment Needed For Great Shoe Product Photos

person with camera - Shoe Product Photography

Snap Amazing Shoe Photos with Your Smartphone

Smartphones take stunning pictures, allowing you to start shoe photography without investing in expensive professional equipment. The latest smartphones can capture high-quality, detailed images with a single click. They also come with tons of helpful features to optimize your images. Before shooting, familiarize yourself with your phone’s manual settings and other functionalities to improve your product photos.

Keep Your Shots Steady with a Tripod

A tripod is a must-have for product photography. This tool stabilizes your camera and ensures your images are sharp and clear. It lets you set your camera at precise heights and angles for consistent product photos. If you’re using a smartphone for your shoe photography, you can find a decent tripod for between $20 and $60. Once you set up your camera on a tripod, use a countdown timer or a remote to take pictures without jostling the equipment.

Light It Up

Good lighting is crucial for excellent shoe product photos. Natural light sometimes works, but it changes throughout your session, creating inconsistencies in your images. While you can invest in professional lighting and flashes, you can also start with regular lamps to brighten your shoot. If your light creates harsh glare or shadows, try softening the light with a diffuser like a white flat sheet or paper. Just be sure that any DIY light diffusers are fire-safe. Another excellent option for creating soft lighting is to buy or make your reflector.

Use a Sweep to Eliminate Distractions

A sweep is a clean, solid backdrop that removes any visual distractions from the background. It eliminates the line between the table and wall and prevents you from accidentally capturing any blemishes in the background that you overlooked with your naked eye. A sweep can be made from a large paper roll, poster board, or fabric sheet. The top can be attached to a purpose-built frame, the wall, the back of a chair, or the back of a light box.

Consider a Light Box

Depending on the size of your products, you may want to place them in a lightbox to ensure they’re positioned optimally between light sources. Light boxes have built-in screens to diffuse light and reduce shadows. There are plenty of online tutorials about how to make low-cost tabletop light boxes, or you can buy one from a camera supply store.

Use Mannequins, Racks, or Stands for Support

Mannequins, stands, and racks are still props for helping you display items. Use two-sided tape or dabs of glue to hold products in place as needed.

Edit Your Images with Software

Once you’ve snapped your shoe product photos, open them up in a photo editing software program to sharpen them even more. Editing tools give you access to various effects, filters, and graphics capabilities. You may not need the full spread of editing features for your work.

Why You Need Quality Photos For Your Online Store

The internet has changed how we shop, and eCommerce stores are the new retail front. But wait. Unlike physical stores, where customers can touch and try products, online shoppers rely entirely on visuals to assess:

Quality
Style
Fit

Well-executed photography makes products appealing and helps establish a strong and recognizable brand identity.

Build Trust with Your Customers

Trust is another critical factor. Clear, accurate images reduce uncertainty and make customers more confident in purchasing. Studies show that over 85% of shoppers prioritize visuals over text descriptions, particularly in categories like fashion and furniture. When photos closely match the product, businesses can minimize returns, as mismatched expectations are among the top reasons for product returns.

Engage Customers to Drive Sales

Product photography plays a role throughout the customer journey. Engaging images don’t just attract first-time buyers; they also encourage repeat purchases. Existing customers are 50% more likely to try new products and spend 31% more than new customers, making consistent, high-quality images across different platforms crucial for long-term success.

Get AI Product Photos that Increase Your Sales for Free Today

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!

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