In-House Vs. Outsourced Product Photo Editing

Product image enhancement is a crucial yet frequently neglected aspect of online retail. A high-quality product photograph can mean the difference between a product being sold or not, especially when customers can’t physically handle or test the product before they make a purchase.

Your product images are the first thing that your potential customers see so making sure it’s perfect is crucial. In fact, most e-commerce conversions can be attributed to the quality of product photos. According to a Forbes survey, 50% of online consumers believe “large, high-quality product photos” are more important than “product information, descriptions, or even reviews.” This goes to show that product photos are a key ingredient to your e-commerce success.

While product photo editing might seem like a daunting and time-consuming task, it’s crucial that you get it right. The good news is that you do not need to all the editing by yourself. You can hire product photo editing professionals who will do a better job. This frees up your time so you can focus on other aspects of your business.

There are two main ways to go about getting your product photos edited – in-house or outsourcing. There are pros and cons to both, so it’s important to evaluate your needs and budget before making a decision.

In this Guide:

• E-Commerce Product Photo Editing: What are the Requirements?
  • In-house Image Editing
  • Outsourcing Image Editing
• Hiring In-House vs. Outsourcing Product Photography Editing: Which is Right for You?
  • Questions to Ask Yourself Before Making a Decision
• Outsource Your Product Photo Editing Service to Pixel by Hand

E-Commerce Product Photo Editing: What are the Requirements?

When it comes to editing product images, it’s not just about making them “look good.” There are actually certain requirements that your images must meet in order to be effective. These include:

• The product must be in focus: This seems like a no-brainer, but it’s actually one of the most common mistakes people make. If your product photos are blurry, customers will move on.
• The lighting must be good: Poor lighting can make even the best products look bad. Your product photos should be well-lit in order to show off the features and details of the product.
• The color must be accurate: The colors in your product photos should match the actual colors of the product. This is important because customers want to know what they’re getting before they make a purchase.
• The background must be clean: A cluttered or busy background can take away from your product and make it difficult for customers to focus on what they’re interested in. A clean background is best.
• The product must be cropped and scaled correctly: Your product should fill the frame and be sized appropriately. This is important for aesthetic reasons and also so that customers can get a good idea of the size of the product.
• All details must be visible: Customers should be able to see all the details of the product in the photo. This includes things like buttons, zippers, etc.
• The image must be high resolution: Low-resolution images look pixelated and unprofessional. Make sure your product photos are high resolution so that they look crisp and clear on your website.

For example, if you are selling apparel and footwear, your images should be in focus, well-lit, and cropped so that the product is the main focus. All details of the product should be visible, including any labels or branding.

You can also the ghost mannequin technique wherein the product is photographed on a mannequin but the mannequin is removed in post-processing. This allows you to show the product from all angles and gives customers a better idea of what they’re getting.

When it comes to editing shoe product photos, it’s important to make sure that the shoes are clean and free of any scuffs or marks. The background should be clean and simple, and the color should be accurate.If even one of these requirements is not met, it can impact your conversion rate. This is why it’s so important to make sure that your product photos are of the highest quality possible.

In-house Image Editing

In-house product image editing is when you have someone on your team who is responsible for editing all of your product photos. This can be done using basic editing software like Photoshop or even free online tools like Canva.

Advantages:

• You have full control over the process and can ensure that your vision for the photos is executed perfectly.
• In-house editing is often faster since you don’t have to send the photos off to be edited and wait for them to be returned.
• It’s usually more cost-effective since you only have to pay for the software and employee time, rather than outsourcing costs.

Disadvantages:

• Not all employees are created equal – some might be better at editing than others. This can lead to inconsistency in your photos which can turn customers away.
• It can be time-consuming, particularly if you have a large number of photos that need to be edited. This can take away from time that could be spent on other tasks, like marketing or product development.
• You might not have the same level of editing expertise as a professional would. This could lead to sub-par results that don’t reflect well on your brand.

In-house photo editors can also get bogged down with other tasks and might not have the bandwidth to edit photos in a timely manner. This can lead to delays in getting your products live on your site, which can hurt your bottom line.

Outsourcing Image Editing

Outsourcing product image editing is when you send your photos to a third-party company or freelancer to have them edited. This is often done using specialized software like Adobe Lightroom and Photoshop.

Advantages:

• You can get access to professional-level editing without having to invest in the expensive software yourself.
• You can get your photos edited quickly and efficiently since you’re working with a team of experts.
• You can free up your own time to focus on other aspects of your business.
• You can be sure that your photos are being edited by someone with experience and expertise.

Disadvantages:

• You might have to sacrifice some control over the process since you’re not doing the editing yourself.
• It can be more expensive than in-house editing, particularly if you’re working with a high-end agency.
• There can be communication barriers if you’re outsourcing to another country.
• You might have to wait longer for your photos to be edited since they have to be sent back and forth.

The good thing is that we do things differently at Pixel by Hand. Unlike other photo editing services, we are focused on delivering high-quality, consistent results that are tailored to your specific needs. We have a team of expert editors who use the latest software and technologies to deliver perfect results, every time.

Our turnaround time is exceptional. We understand the importance of speed in the e-commerce world and we always deliver on our promises. We start our process by collaborating with our clients to better understand their vision. Once we have a clear understanding, our team of editors gets to work and deliver the finished product within the agreed-upon timeframe.

We understand that cost is always a concern. That’s why we offer a variety of pricing options to fit every budget. We also offer discounts for bulk orders. Plus, we offer a range of services beyond product photo editing, like background removal, color correction, and image resizing. So no matter what your needs are, Pixel by Hand can help.

Hiring In-House vs. Outsourcing Product Photography Editing: Which is Right for You?

When it comes to product photography editing, there are pros and cons to both in-house and outsourced options. It’s important to weigh the costs and benefits of each before making a decision. By taking the time to understand your needs, you can make the best choice for your business.

Questions to Ask Yourself Before Making a Decision

Before making any decisions, here are the questions you should ask yourself:

• How many product images do your company need per year? Do you have the internal resources to handle that volume?
  If yes, in-house might make more sense. If not, outsourcing could be a better option. At Pixel by Hand, we can handle bulk product image editing projects quickly and efficiently.
• What is your budget for product image editing?
  In-house editing can be costly if you need to invest in software and equipment. If you outsource, you may be able to get access to professional-level editing at a lower cost.At Pixel by Hand, we have our own tools and equipment worked by creative editors who have mastered the art of image editing. We offer a variety of pricing options to fit every budget.
• How much control do you need/want?
  If you want complete control over the process, in-house editing might be a better option. However, there are unfortunate instances when you hire someone who only looks good on a resume and doesn’t really have the capacity to deliver what is expected.When you outsource, you can be sure that your project is in good hands. At Pixel by Hand, our team is composed of highly talented photo editors who have years of experience in the industry. We’ve worked with numerous industries and businesses, so we know what it takes to deliver amazing results.
• How urgent is your product photography order?
  In-house editing can take time, particularly if you don’t have a dedicated team. If you need your product images edited urgently, it’s best to outsource the project.At Pixel by Hand, we take pride in our fast turnaround time. For small batches, you can expect your images handed over to you in 24 hours or less. For big batches, you can communicate with our team through the chat box below or through our contact form.
• Does your current Team have the matching Talent?
  This is one of the most important questions to ask. If you don’t have a team with the same level of skill and experience, it might be best to outsource your product image editing needs.At Pixel by Hand, we only work with the best in the industry. We handpick each member of our team to ensure that they have the skills and experience needed to deliver amazing results.
• What are your business goals?
  Your product image editing needs will vary depending on your business goals. If you’re selling products online, you’ll need high-quality images that accurately represent your products. If you’re selling in brick-and-mortar stores, you might need images that are more focused on aesthetics.At Pixel by Hand, we can help you achieve any goal with our editing services. We specialize in online product photography, but we can also edit images for print.
• Is your project ongoing or one-off?
  This is another important question to consider. If you only need product image editing on a one-time basis, in-house editing might be a better option. However, if you’ll need regular edits, outsourcing could be a more cost-effective solution.At Pixel by Hand, we offer both one-time and ongoing services. We realize that businesses have various requirements, so we provide a number of pricing alternatives to fit any budget.
• What kind of support do you need?
  In-house product image editing can be a great option for some businesses. However, it’s not always the best choice. There are instances when outsourcing might be a more cost-effective and efficient solution.If you outsource your product image editing, you’ll want to make sure that you’re working with a team that’s responsive and supportive. At Pixel by Hand, we take pride in our customer service. We’re available 24/7 to answer any questions or concerns you might have.

Outsource Your Product Photo Editing Service to Pixel by Hand

Now that you know the benefits of outsourcing your product image editing needs, it’s time to take action. Pixel by Hand is one of the leading providers of outsourced product photo editing services. We have an experienced staff of creative editors that can assist you in any goal—whether it is to boost sales or improve your brand identity.

If you’re ready to take your business to the next level, contact us today. We’ll be happy to provide you with a free quote for our services.