I've noticed something about my shopping experience lately. I'll be browsing
Etsy and realize I'm giggling out loud. I do this when I happen upon a clever photo taken with a bit of humor and whimsy in mind. Sharp wit is always a way to get attention and if you have a clever thumbnail photo, those browsers will turn into shoppers quickly.
Take this great photograph by
TippleandSnack. When I spotted it, it was in the middle of the page. It caught my eye immediately because of the color contrast. Then I cracked up when I saw those
little chicks peeping out of an egg cup. What a great way to sell egg cups! It not only draws the potential customer in, but it also shows them that egg cups can be display objects in their own right.
There are lots of vintage clothing sellers on
Etsy with fashion must haves. I know many people use their daughters as models, which is practical. The key to a successful live model is their facial expression. I find a lot of models have the "I'd never be caught dead in this" look on their face, which is odd. Have the model ham it up. Show them having fun in it. Sell it! This photo by
Unionmadebride illustrates my point perfectly:
The item itself doesn't have to be funny. Humor can be added by the angle you take the photo from, the way you position your item, or the lighting. This photo by
TheFancyLamb shows this point. Most of us take a shot of a doll sitting down-at least I do. This shot taken up close really captures the dolls whimsical expression and draws my eye to it.
Props can really help bring a whimsical element to your otherwise rather practical item. As long as you're clear that the prop isn't for sale, use them to your advantage. People tend to be rather opinionated about them, so I don't recommend them for every item, just those that could benefit from a substantial visual boost. Take this shot from
Calloohcallay for example. Without the horse, the cup would be rather lost. It adds just enough whimsy to make a viewer ask "what is horse doing next to a coffee cup?"
Sometimes, the front isn't always the best angle. The playful motion used in this dress photo by
Alexsandras is really eye catching! It doesn't just grab attention though. It also tells me about the fabric and how it hangs. Perfect way to convey elements of the item without using words. In addition, it shows the model having fun and that makes the viewer smile!
The more we think out of the box with our photos, the more we will stand out from other sellers. When a sea of small thumbnails is staring a shopper in the face, you want your photo to pop. Once they click on the next page, it's too late. So grab their attention. Humor, whimsy and just plain fun are a great way to do it!
Two kids. Freelance writer and editor. Etsy shop. Love vintage. Love reading, art, music, hiking, travel. Political junkie. Big lazy lab.
My name is Heidi and I live in beautiful Northern California gold country. I am an estate liquidator. I love antiques! I am married to my high school hunk and have 3 amazing daughters, all under the age of 8.
