How to photograph bags and wallets so shape and detail show
Empty bags slump and wallets look flat. A little stuffing, a few standard angles and close shots of the hardware make the product easy to judge.
Bags and wallets are bought on shape, size and finish. An empty bag that slumps over looks smaller and cheaper than it is, and a flat wallet shot from one angle hides its pockets. A few simple tricks give buyers the full picture.
Give the bag its shape
Bags hold their form when they are full. Stuff the inside with clean paper, tissue, a folded cloth or bubble wrap until the shape looks natural, without bulging. For a structured bag, only a little padding is needed, while a soft one needs more. Do the same for wallets with a thin card or paper insert so they do not look pinched. Keep the stuffing out of sight, and remember that the photo should reflect how the item looks when used, not stretched past its normal shape.
Use a stable setup
Place the bag on a plain surface against a clean backdrop, or hang it on a hook against a plain wall. Shoot at the height of the bag's centre so you are not looking up or down at it, which distorts the shape. Soft daylight from a window to the side shows texture without harsh reflections, a basic covered in photographing products on a phone.
The standard angles
- Front, straight on.
- Back, to show pockets or flat panels.
- Side, to show depth and shape.
- Top, to show the opening and closure.
- Inside, open, to show the lining and pockets.
- Straps or handles, laid out or held up.
For wallets, add a photo open with cards in the slots, and one showing the bill and coin sections if they exist. Buyers often ask about the number and position of pockets, so show them.
Close-ups of the details
Take close shots of zips, buckles, clasps, stitching, logos and the edges. These confirm quality in a way a distant shot cannot. Hold the phone steady and tap to focus on the detail you want. Describe what you can see rather than claiming things you have not verified about the material, since a photo should support the description, not exaggerate it.
Show size honestly
A bag floating alone gives no sense of scale. Include a photo of it held, worn on a shoulder, or beside a familiar object, and list the measurements in the description. How to show product size in photos goes through the options in more detail.
Watch the colour
Leather-look and fabric surfaces can shift colour under indoor lights, and returns often follow a colour surprise, as discussed in returns and RTO: what nobody tells you. Shoot in daylight and check that the colour on your screen matches what you see in person. If it looks off, see how to fix a colour cast.
Clean and smooth first
Wipe off dust and prints, straighten straps and smooth out creases from storage. Check at zoom before you finish. If you are launching in this category, how to start selling bags online in India covers the wider plan, and if the bag comes in more than one colour, product variants, colourways and sizes explains how to list them.