It is easy for people to believe that product photography only involves photographing the products. However, the truth is quite different. It's not that the products aren't featured in the photos, but there is a lot more going on. What do you see if you look at a photograph of a bed or wardrobe in a catalogue?

Perhaps you might reply that the image of the bed or wardrobe is what you see. You are not seeing what you think. You see much more than this, which is why professional photographers have access to a vast network of contacts.

You won't be able to take a picture of a bed if you don't want it to look too inviting. It's just a bunch metal pipes and wooden boards that have been joined together. Perhaps a very dull mattress is added on top. Even though this bed might be among the most beautiful, there's very little to make anyone mad. A product is often more than its product. It is the ability to visualize owning the product that sells a product.

The same applies to the sale of houses. A completely unfurnished, unadorned house can be more difficult than one that has a few pieces of furniture or decoration. A prospective buyer will not be able to visualize the house if the character and personality of the previous owner is not too obvious. They can see the bedroom and not just the bare space. The dining room can be seen and they can picture themselves eating with friends.

Artists can look at a blank canvas to see a universe of possibilities. We, on the other hand, tend to look at the canvas with a skewed view and feel it is either too intimidating or too boring. The same applies to product photography. If you show someone just a bed, they are showing them the house empty, not a home or the blank canvas.

Many product photos, whether online or catalogue-style, depict the bed as it is. It has attractive and neutral bedding. A room will have a bed, with carpeting and walls, as well as curtains and windows with curtains. The product is now something the consumer can envision using and can even visualize in their own space.

To achieve this, you need many things. You will need to have access to a large studio or suitable location.

This access to contacts gives professional product photographers an advantage over people who try to take photos of their products at home. Although product photography is not expensive, it can be very effective.