When you’re a jewelry designer, one imperative thing that often gets overlooked, is taking images to use for selling and marketing your work. This is especially crucial for new designers who are just getting started in the industry. Today, we’ll be hearing from Alain Simić, the established New York photographer specializing in jewelry photography and telling stories through his images. With more than ten years of experience, Alain has helped designers make their brands look amazing through his images. In this blog post, he’ll share why high quality photography is so important and what you should aim for with your images.

Image: Alain Simić Photography

Why Invest in High-End Commercial Photography?

Lots of new designers wonder if they need high-end photography to sell their work. This concern makes sense because good photos can cost a lot, especially when you’re just starting out.

Some people also think that having really polished pictures might not fit with their brand’s style. This is especially common for solo-preneurs. They feel like they don’t need to spend a lot on polished images because they’re not selling high jewelry or they don’t want to come across as too luxury.

The Importance of Quality Imagery

But it’s really important to understand that no matter what your price point is or what your brand is about, having good images is key to showing off your product. It’s not just about meeting a standard; it’s about making sure people see the value in what you create. It also establishes trust.

In today’s world where we are inundated with images, it’s crucial to stand out. You don’t have to replicate luxury powerhouses like Cartier, but you do need to make sure your images reflect what your designs are all about. Especially if you’re selling directly to consumers, having great visuals is paramount.

Image: Alain Simić Photography

Developing a Distinct Visual Identity

Big luxury houses have a visual identity that everyone knows and connects with. You don’t have to emulate them, but it’s very important to find your own style that fits your brand’s values. You need to balance being creative with looking professional and making sure people can relate to what you’re brade is about.

Whether you’re doing it yourself or getting help from a professional, spending time and money on good images or creating a strong visual style is very important for new brands. The way your brand looks is a big part of making people trust you and want to buy from you.

Navigating the Logistics of Photography

Dealing with all the details of a photo shoot, like establishing your budget, hiring models, and discussing fees, needs careful planning. Good images aren’t just a cost; they’re an investment in how your brand looks, and that’s really important.

And when it comes to making your images look just right, it’s especially important to find the balance between making them look great and keeping them real. While photographs that look amazing can catch people’s attention, it’s also really important to keep things honest. You want to avoid misrepresenting your work. It’s all about finding a way of doing things that fits with what your brand is all about and what your consumers wants to see.

Wrapping Up

In conclusion, commercial photography is incredibly important in jewelry design. It’s more than just taking pretty pictures—it’s about telling your brand’s story and showing your values to potential customers. Understanding the value of good images and investing in them can help new designers succeed in a competitive market.

Did you enjoy this article? Read more from this series here!


This post is sponsored by the Workforce Development Institute. WDI is a statewide non-profit that works to increase opportunities for all New Yorkers to succeed in the workforce while earning family-sustaining wages.