Product photos are the main images of your product. They show what your product looks like either on its own or in a group. For the purposes of this guide, we’re grouping images that show scale or show detail into this category since they only show off the product and nothing else. Remember that 76% of product photos are on white backgrounds. That also means there is opportunity to make your website stand out. Just remember, your product is the star.

Lifestyle photos are photos that show your product in a life-like setting or to demonstrate how your product is used. The goal of these photos is to communicate how your product is unique. This is a great spot to create that ‘ah-ha’ or ‘oh wow’ or ‘I can’t live the rest of my life unless I buy that pinata’ moment with your shoppers — and the perfect opportunity to add context to your product images.

Hero images are images that showcase your product in an emphatic way. They’re often larger than your product or lifestyle product pictures, are lit dramatically and have text filling any blank space that adds messaging around your product.

360-degree images are relatively new in the world of product photography but are important to know about. These are images that are shot from all sides that you’re able to physically spin with your mouse so you can see products at different angles.

GIFs or videos are great ways to show a product in action. If a product has a specific purpose, that might not be immediately clear, a GIF or a video can help quickly clarify to a shopper what a product’s for.