Product Photography Services vs. Mockups: Which Should You Choose?
If there is one thing we know about the internet, it’s that eye-catching, scroll-stopping images have major benefits for marketing. Images give customers a clear idea of what they are buying and can persuade them to make a purchase. But how do you get your hands on those scroll-stopping images? Well, you can invest in product photography services or DIY your photos with digital mockups.
Which is right for you? Let’s explore the differences between product photography services and mockups, so you can make the best decision for your business.
An Overview of Product Photography Services
Product photography services are the best option for well-established businesses, and there are a few reasons for that. You want to be clear on your niche, audience, and branding before you invest in product photography – especially because the cost of product photography is much greater than the DIY approach.
Of course, product photography services have some major bonuses. You’re investing in a professional who can take high-quality photos that help you stand out and show your products in action. Plus, outsourcing photography means more time back in your business.
Getting product photos will give you a large variety of angles, and photo layouts. The photographer can layer products in a way that shows off more of your product to the customer and the photos will look more realistic if a product photographer does the photos. Not to mention, you didn’t have to lift a finger…major bonus.
Here are some of the types of photos you can get with professional photography services:
Focused Component
Classroom Decor
Angled Photos
The Pros and Cons of Product Photography Services
The Pros
✅ High-quality photos taken by an expert
✅ Getting back time in your business
✅ Saving money on photography equipment
✅ Showing off your products in a variety of ways (ie. bulletin board, task card boxes)
The Cons
❌ The price of product photography
❌ It can take time to get your photos
❌ Photographers may be booked or have long waitlists
An Overview of Product Mockups
Product mockups are a great option for those in the beginning or growth phase of their business. It can also be an alternative when your favorite photographer is booked and you need a project done stat.
With product mockups, the price is way lower than the cost of product photography and you will pay only a small percentage of the cost of photos this way. Plus, you can still stand out with quality photos that show your product in action. The biggest downside is the time investment. While product mockups are way faster than taking the photos yourself, you still have to set aside time to create and download the images.
Mockups can be designed in a variety of ways as well. In order to change elements and add you resources you will need a Canva account or you can use Powerpoint to layer your screenshot or text on top of the mockup. Here are some of my favorite things you can do with mockups:
Add text and elements on top of the mockups
Bulletin board mockups
Add a screenshot of your product on top of the mockup
The Pros and Cons of Product Mockups
The Pros
✅ Save money by not outsourcing or buying photo equipment
✅ No need to spend time cutting and prepping resources
✅ Show off your products in a variety of ways (ex. bulletin board, task card boxes)
✅ You need very little training to get started
The Cons
❌ You’ll need to spend time creating the mockups
❌ If tech is a challenge, you may struggle with mockups
❌ You’ll still need to spend money on mockups (although it’s relatively inexpensive)
Ultimately, you have to do what is best for your business: product photography services or mockups. Or you can utilize both! You can invest in product photography for larger projects and use mockups for products that have a quick turnaround.
Want to try product mockups? Grab 15 free mockups! I’ve included task card boxes, bulletin boards, and more. Plug them right into Canva or PowerPoint and start creating. ✨
