In fashion e-commerce, high-quality visuals are essential for capturing customer interest and driving conversions, especially on Product Detail Pages (PDPs). While traditional photoshoots with professional models and equipment yield impressive results, they come with significant costs. But what if you opt for a more budget-friendly approach, like using an iPhone? Or, consider the modern alternative: AI-powered photoshoots.
This article compares these low cost options: a budget photoshoot using an iPhone, and AI-generated photoshoots for PDP images. By understanding the trade-offs, small fashion brands can choose the solution that best meets their budget, timeline, and quality requirements.
Budget of Traditional Photoshoot Using an iPhone vs. AI Photoshoot
With the rise of social media and accessible smartphone technology, many brands are trying low-budget photoshoots using iPhones. Here’s how these two approaches stack up in terms of costs and output.
Budget Traditional Photoshoot Using an iPhone
For smaller brands or startups, budget photoshoots with an iPhone can be a practical way to create visuals without significant outlays. Here’s a breakdown of typical costs:
- Setup:
- iPhone: Many brands already own an iPhone 11 or newer, which has a high-quality camera suitable for PDP images. If you need to purchase one second-hand, costs range between £400 – £500.
- Model or Mannequin:
- Using friends or family as models eliminates the need for professional model fees. Alternatively, a basic mannequin can cost £50 – £100.
- Location:
- Shooting at home or in an office avoids location fees. With good natural lighting, any home setup can be sufficient for PDP images.
- Lighting:
- While natural lighting is free, supplemental lighting kits for mobile photography are available for £50 – £100. DIY lighting solutions can also work if budget constraints are tight. Read more on DIY tips
- Post-Production:
- Basic photo editing can be done with free or low-cost apps. If you handle post-production yourself, this may cost nothing beyond your time.
Estimated Total Cost for iPhone-Based Traditional Photoshoot:
Considering these factors, a budget photoshoot using an iPhone can cost between £0 – £100, assuming no expenses for models, location, or advanced editing. However, it’s important to factor in the time spent planning and executing the shoot time that could otherwise be devoted to other growth-focused aspects of the business.
AI Photoshoot
AI-generated images offer a streamlined, cost-effective solution to produce PDP images in hours. Here’s the cost breakdown for an AI photoshoot:
- Image Generation:
- AI Photoshoot platforms typically charge around 15p per image for basic product shots. Depending on customisation and volume needs, the cost would be around £7.50 – £50 for a batch of 50 images.
- Additional Costs:
- There are no additional fees for models, location rentals, lighting, or equipment. The AI system can simulate different setups digitally, adapting to brand guidelines.
Estimated Total Cost for AI Photoshoot:
The cost of 50 product images would be £7.50 – £50, making AI a highly cost-effective option for small brands and startups needing multiple PDP images.
Comparative Cost Table: AI Photoshoot vs. Budget Traditional Photoshoot Using an iPhone
iPhone Photoshoot
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Photographer: DIY
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Model Fees: £0 (friends) or £50 – £100 (mannequin)
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Location Rental: £0 (home/office)
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Lighting: £0 – £100
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Post-Production: Minimal (DIY)
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Turnaround Time: 1-2 weeks
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Usage Fees: None
AI Photoshoot
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Photographer: Not Needed
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Model Fees: Virtual Models Included
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Location Rental: Not Needed
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Lighting: Not Needed
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Post-Production: Not Needed
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Turnaround Time: Hours
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Usage Fees: None
Additional Benefits of AI Photoshoots
Platform-Ready Versatility for Multi-Channel Campaigns
AI-generated images are highly adaptable, making them ideal for creating visuals suited to various platforms. From white-background product shots to editorial-style images, AI Photoshoot gives brands the flexibility to produce images in different styles without additional setups. This adaptability is valuable for e-commerce and social media campaigns where multiple formats are required, ensuring that brands can maintain a cohesive visual style across their website, social channels, ads, and even print. Additionally, AI-generated images can be resized, re-styled, and customised quickly, allowing brands to efficiently tailor content for various audiences and channels.
Environmental Benefits
AI Photoshoot is inherently more sustainable than traditional photoshoots. By eliminating the need for travel, reducing equipment use, and minimizing waste from physical setups and props, AI photoshoots significantly lower the environmental impact of producing fashion images. For brands committed to sustainability, this benefit enhances brand reputation and resonates with eco-conscious consumers. Reducing the carbon footprint of photoshoots by leveraging digital technology aligns with a growing consumer demand for environmentally responsible practices, adding a compelling dimension to AI-powered content creation.
Improved Customer Experience and Lower Return Rates
High-quality, accurate images help customers make informed purchasing decisions, especially in online shopping where customers rely solely on visual information. AI Photoshoot can produce clear, colour-accurate images that emphasise important details such as fabric texture, fit, and color, helping customers gain confidence in their purchases. This detail and accuracy can lead to a reduction in returns, as customers are less likely to be surprised by the product upon delivery. As Marta Schuster, a content manager, explains: “Clear, well-lit images that capture texture and color accurately are essential for online sales.” AI photoshoots allow brands to consistently deliver this level of quality, fostering customer trust and satisfaction.
A/B Testing Potential
AI Photoshoot makes A/B testing of visual styles easy and cost-effective. Brands can effortlessly create different image versions -varying in style, background, model, or angle, to test which visuals best engage their audience and convert viewers into customers. This data-driven approach to image optimization lets brands refine product listings, social media posts, and advertisements to maximize appeal and drive higher conversions. Since AI-generated images are quick to produce and adapt, brands can respond swiftly to testing results, ensuring their visual strategy remains dynamic and effective.
Boosted Conversion Rates and Sales
The high-quality visuals produced by AI photoshoots have been shown to positively impact conversion rates. Research indicates that images featuring models wearing products can increase conversion rates by up to 30%, as they help customers envision how items might look on them. With AI, brands can quickly produce these model images without the logistical and financial burden of hiring multiple models or coordinating photoshoots. This efficiency allows for more consistent use of on-model imagery across product listings, which can further enhance conversions. By making it easier for customers to connect with products visually, AI photoshoots support higher conversion rates, leading to increased sales.
Why AI Photoshoots are Ideal for PDP Pages
For PDP images, the combination of affordability, speed, and flexibility makes AI photoshoots an attractive option:
- Affordability and Scalability:
- At 15p per image, AI Photoshoot provides exceptional cost efficiency for producing large volumes of consistent images. Unlike traditional photoshoots, AI scales easily, allowing brands to create hundreds of product images without the substantial costs associated with larger photo teams, models, or locations.
- Quick Turnaround for High-Volume Needs:
- While DIY shoots can take days to plan and execute, AI Photoshoot can produce results within hours. This quick turnaround is invaluable for brands with fast-changing product lines or seasonal releases.
- Consistency Across Platforms:
- AI-generated images can be adjusted to suit various platforms (e-commerce, social media, ads) without requiring separate photo sessions. This consistency in style and quality helps build brand recognition and ensures that images look professional and polished on all channels.
- Flexible Content Creation:
- AI’s ability to simulate different poses, body types, and outfits without reshoots allows brands to experiment with visuals and reach diverse audiences. This flexibility is a major advantage over both DIY and traditional shoots.
Conclusion: Choosing the Right Photoshoot Approach for Your Brand
For small brands, startups, and e-commerce stores with high-volume image needs, AI photoshoots offer a powerful, cost-effective solution that combines quality with scalability. While budget-friendly options like DIY iPhone photoshoots can work for small-scale projects, they often lack the consistency, speed, and flexibility that AI technology can provide.
The good news is that retailers don’t have to choose between AI and traditional photoshoots exclusively. By combining both approaches, brands can create a balanced visual strategy that suits their budget and marketing goals. High-value products or hero images might benefit from a professional photoshoot, while AI-generated images can deliver polished, on-model shots for a larger volume of products. AI Photoshoot is ideal when images with human models are needed quickly or for products with a short shelf life, providing the boost needed to help these items sell out faster without the costs of a full photoshoot.
AI Photoshoot allows brands to streamline PDP image creation, offering uniform, high-quality visuals that boost conversions and enhance the shopping experience. By integrating AI into their content creation process, brands can direct more resources toward growth, marketing, and customer engagement instead of logistical complexities.