Earlier this year I wrote a new step-by-step tutorial for Sedona Bracelets, simple stretch bracelets using natural druzy stone connectors and round beads. Sometimes with simple projects I find myself spending more time playing with the photographs than making the jewelry. This project was no exception. When you have a collection of jewelry like this, what is the best way to photograph it? Here are several options to consider:
One Bracelet
I like to photograph each individual bracelet alone. It's easier to appreciate the details such as the subtle variations of colors in the aqua glass beads and the organic shape of the black connector. If you like simple jewelry, you might find it easy to imagine yourself making and wearing the bracelet in this photo. At the same time, if you don't feel confident in choosing and combining colors, you might dismiss this bracelet if you don't like the exact aqua and black combination pictured.
A Group of Bracelets .... Each One Separate
If you're someone who craves choice, you might prefer this photo. Not only do you have more color combinations to consider, but you can also see the slight variation in the round bead sizes when they are all grouped together. It would be easy to choose to make or buy the bracelet you like best. If I were to describe the bracelets here, I might use the words simple, easy, or classic.
A Group of Bracelets ... Tightly Stacked
If I were selling these bracelets whether online, in a shop, or at a craft show, I would be tempted to use more of a clustered photo or display like this one. This photo makes me want all the bracelets!
This tight arrangement grabs your attention. I find myself studying it carefully and for a longer period of time, as I sort out the various color combinations. They look great as a set and this upright arrangement on a rolled piece of cloth makes it easy for me to imagine how they might look clustered together on my arm. (If you had a model wearing the bracelets that may work even better!) Because they're at the top of the photo, the druzy connectors take center stage here. If I were to describe the bracelets in this set, I might use the words luxurious and indulgent.
A Group of Bracelets ... Slightly Stacked
This photo shows a mid-range option between completely separate bracelets and the ones tightly clustered together. This photo feels more like "affordable luxury" to me. This photo hints at the idea of wearing multiples, but I feel like I could choose just one or two from the group without needing them all.
A Word About Color
Naturally, color combinations make group jewelry photos trickier than those of single items. For best results, you need to not only consider the individual color combinations but the colors of the entire group. One of my first bracelets used a purple-and-green combination that I really liked. It looked fine alone, but as soon as I put it in the group mix, those stripes in the purple agate demanded my attention. I ended up redoing that bracelet with the yellow shown in the photos above. The yellow was also a dramatic color choice, but without the stripes it didn't have quite the same overwhelming effect as the purple.
Conclusion
If you're photographing groups of bracelets, ask yourself:
- Do the bracelets work together as a group? Do they have a similar style? Do the colors work together?
- Are they meant to be worn together, separately, or both?
- Is there a single feature (such as the druzy connector) that needs to be highlighted?
- Is it easy to visualize how the bracelets would look when worn? (If I don't have a model, can I use props or styling to get the same effect?)
- Should the bracelets be modeled or photographed flat?
- If the bracelets have clasps, should they be shown open or closed? Full length or in a circular shape? (Note: The bracelets shown in this blog post used elastic cord, so this wasn't a consideration.)
- Is it necessary to show the inside or backs of the bracelets?
- Is it easy to get a sense of the size and proportions of the bracelets?
- Which photo style would appeal most to my ideal customer? Is she looking for something simple, trendy, luxurious, or ...?
- What color background should I use? (You might enjoy this earlier post I wrote The Best Backgrounds for Jewelry Photos.)
- What are my own limitations for this photography session? Time? Money? Space?
There's no one right answer. You might find that your goals for each photo session differ and that's okay. I've been taking photos of jewelry for years and I still learn something new every time I'm behind the lens.