title: "Clothing Photography: How to Shoot T-Shirts for Your eCommerce Store" date: 2024-08-28 slug: /how-to-shoot-tshirts-for-ecommerce word_count: 2300 images: 6

Clothing Photography: How to Shoot T-Shirts for Your eCommerce Store

Shirts top the charts among popular items sold online. Nearly every internet shop has them — and for good reason. Shirts are easy to store, ship, and photograph. They require little styling and suit everyone. These pieces are extremely versatile and ideal for everyday use, whether lounging at home or busy at work.

When showcasing t-shirts in your store, the key element most customers look at is quality. Your images need to reflect the quality of the shirt — from the fabric to the stitching and print. Since you're selling online, you want to mimic the in-store experience as closely as possible through clothing photography that accurately depicts your products.

In this guide, we'll give you tips on how to take great photos of shirts for your eCommerce store. We'll also cover how you can leverage apparel photo editing services for different types of retouching requirements.

How Do You Take Pictures of Shirts for Sale?
Clothing Photography Ideas at Home
Apparel Photo Editing Services
FAQ

How Do You Take Pictures of Shirts for Sale?

Taking pictures of shirts is not as easy as it looks. It's more than just placing the shirt on a hanger and snapping a photo. Here are six tips for taking great photos of shirts:

Use a Plain Background

The background you use can often make or break the image. A busy or cluttered background can make the shirt appear small and lost in the photo, and it can be distracting to viewers trying to focus on the product. A plain background is best so that the shirt is the star of the show. You can use a white sheet, poster board, or even a wall as your background. If you're using a wall, make sure it's clean and free of any marks or stains.

If you're using a mannequin, make sure the background is also plain so that the focus remains on the shirt. If you're photographing people wearing the shirts, ensure the background isn't too busy or distracting. A blank wall or a solid colour backdrop works best.

Use Natural Lighting

We always recommend using natural lighting when taking product photos, as this helps to evenly distribute light and avoid harsh shadows. If you're shooting indoors, position your shirt near a window where there's plenty of natural light coming in.

If you're photographing outdoors, try to find a spot that's not too sunny so the light isn't too harsh. Soft, diffused light works best for clothing photography.

Flat Lay Clothing Photography

Flat lays have become a staple in product photography, especially for clothing like t-shirts. It's the best way to imitate how customers would usually pick their outfit at home and see how the overall look comes together.

When taking flat lay photos of shirts, make sure the shirt is well-ironed and laid out flat. Photograph from above so that the focus is on the shirt. You can also style the shirt with other items like trousers, skirts, or accessories to create a complete look.

Shoot Shirts on a Hanger

Shooting clothes on a hanger gives that in-store shopping feel where most items are displayed on a hanger. This adds to the overall satisfying shopping experience you want your customers to have when visiting your online store.

When photographing shirts on a hanger, try to use a slimline or velvet hanger so that it doesn't take the focus away from the shirt. You can also hang the shirt on a clothesline or a rack to add more variation to your photos. Just make sure the background is plain so the focus stays on the shirt.

Take Close-Up Shots of Details

When customers shop for shirts online, they often zoom in to check the quality of the fabric, print, and stitching. It's important to have close-up shots of these details so potential customers can see the quality of your shirts.

If you're selling printed shirts, take a close-up photo of the print so potential customers can assess the quality. One of the common concerns about prints is that they fade over time — a close-up shot of the print allows buyers to make their own judgement.

The same goes for the stitching and fabric. Customers want to know what they're getting, so give them a close-up view. For shirts with intricate details like stitching or beading, a close-up shot lets potential customers appreciate the craftsmanship.

Make sure the focus is sharp and the details are clearly visible. You can also use a macro lens to capture even more detail without losing quality.

Use a Model or a Mannequin

Adding a human element to your clothing photography can make a huge difference in terms of engagement. Customers want to see how the shirt looks on a real person and visualise how it would look on them. It also helps create the idea of an outfit and shows customers how the shirt can be styled.

If you're using a model, make sure they fit the target demographic of your store. For example, if you sell plus-size clothing, use a plus-size model. If you're targeting a younger generation, use a model of a similar age. Pose the model in different ways so you can capture the shirt from different angles.

If you're using a mannequin, make sure it's well-dressed and styled. You can add accessories to create a complete look. However, mannequins can sometimes feel a little less natural. If you're on a budget or your model isn't available, we recommend trying the ghost mannequin effect to give your photos that 3D look.

Additional Tip: Edit Your Photos

Even the best photos need editing, especially if you're using images for your eCommerce store. This process is like putting the icing on the cake — creative editors work their magic to enhance the photos further and make them as realistic as possible.

Photo editing is also required to ensure your product images get approved on platforms like Amazon, Etsy, eBay, and others. These platforms typically implement strict guidelines and will not hesitate to reject photos that don't meet their standards.

Common photo editing tasks for clothing photography include colour correction, removing blemishes, and cropping. Editing makes your images flexible and easy to use for various purposes. For example, editing can help you remove the hanger from the photo or remove the mannequin's head so you can repurpose the image for your newsletter or social media marketing.

Want to see what professional editing can do for your t-shirt photos? Start your free trial with Pixel by Hand today.

Clothing Photography Ideas at Home

Working on a budget? No problem. You can still take beautiful photos of your clothes at home. These ideas will help you style and shoot your clothes in a way that looks professional and high-end.

Use Plain Backdrops

One of the best things about shooting at home is that you have complete control over your background. You can shoot against a blank wall, a bed sheet, or even a shower curtain. Just make sure the backdrop is plain and doesn't have any patterns — this keeps the focus on your clothes.

If you want to add more interest, hang a tapestry or a piece of fabric behind your subject. Or drape a sheet over a chair to create a makeshift dressing room.

Get Creative with Lighting

Good lighting is essential for any type of photography, but it's especially important for clothing photography. The right lighting can make or break your photo.

If you're shooting indoors, use natural light. Position your clothes near a window and let the light flow in. You can also use a reflector to bounce light back onto your subject, helping to fill in shadows and create a more even light. If you're shooting outside, find a shaded area — direct sun can create harsh shadows and make your clothes look washed out.

Use Props

Props can add more interest to your photos and make them look more dynamic. For t-shirts, try laying them out on a bed or draping them over a chair. This gives that "just out of the laundry" look that is popular on many fashion websites.

Get Close to Your Subject

One of the best ways to make your photos look more high-end is to get closer to your subject, especially when shooting at home. This also helps you avoid any unwanted background clutter if you're working in a tight space.

Try Different Angles and Experiment

Don't be afraid to experiment with different angles and perspectives. Get down low, shoot from above, or try a bird's eye view. This will help you find the most flattering angle for your t-shirts and avoid any awkward cropping later on.

Have Fun with It

At the end of the day, it's important to have fun with your photography. Clothing photography is all about experimentation, so don't be afraid to try new things. The more you experiment, the better your photos will become.

Apparel Photo Editing Services

Professional photo editing services provide a cost-effective solution for busy entrepreneurs and small businesses who want to level up their product photos without breaking the bank.

Working with a team of skilled editors can help you save time and money whilst still getting high-quality results. You no longer have to worry about editing photos yourself — just send us your raw images and we'll take care of the rest.

With over 10 years' experience and 380+ eCommerce clients, Pixel by Hand understands the nuances of clothing photography. If you're selling on platforms like Amazon, Etsy, or eBay, we can also help you meet their guidelines and standards. We offer a wide range of photo editing services for eCommerce including:

Background removal/changing: We can remove the background from your photos or change it to a solid colour. This is often required for platforms like Amazon that strictly enforce the white background rule.
Ghost mannequin effect: We can create the ghost mannequin effect by editing your photos to remove the mannequin's head or body. This gives your product a floating look and makes it easier to use the image across different marketing channels.
Colour correction: We can adjust the colours in your photo to make them more accurate. This is important for ensuring that customers see the true colours of your product.
Image cropping: We can crop your photos to focus on the product or to meet the requirements of specific platforms.
Clipping paths: We can create clipping paths around the product so you can use the image on any coloured background.

Send us your images for a free sample edit — see exactly how we can improve your clothing photography. Get started here.

FAQ

What is the best background colour for t-shirt photography? White is the most versatile and widely required background for eCommerce product photography. Most marketplaces including Amazon require a pure white background for the main product image. However, for lifestyle shots and social media, you can experiment with neutral tones or complementary colours.

Should I iron t-shirts before photographing them? Absolutely. Wrinkles and creases are one of the biggest issues in clothing photography. Always iron or steam your t-shirts before a shoot. Even minor wrinkles become very noticeable in product photos and can give the impression of poor quality.

Is it better to use a model or a mannequin for t-shirt photography? Both have their advantages. Models add a human element and help customers visualise themselves wearing the product. Mannequins provide a consistent, clean look and are more cost-effective. Many successful stores use a combination of both, along with flat lays, to provide variety.

How many images should I have per t-shirt listing? Aim for a minimum of 5-7 images per listing: a front view, back view, close-up of the print or fabric, a lifestyle/styled shot, and at least one detail shot (stitching, label, etc.). More images generally lead to higher conversion rates.

Can I photograph t-shirts with just a smartphone? Yes, modern smartphones have excellent cameras that are perfectly capable of producing professional-looking product photos. The key is good lighting (natural light is best), a clean background, and steady hands or a tripod. You can then enhance the images with professional editing.

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