Comments on: Using Live Models when Photographing Jewelry – Yes or No?

By: David

David — Thu, 04 Nov 2010 01:44:45 +0000

I think the issues with models is ridiculous. First, we photographers always post process the photos for any blemish, etc… I have and do shoot jewelry both ways, with and without models. The response from ads with models is significantly better and quantifiable. People relate to seeing the product actually being worn and doubt anyone thinks the piece she is wearing is the one they will buy. Most all jewelry has been tried on by other shoppers. Your conclusion is not very quantifiable and from my viewing of many different fashion mags both in U.S. and Europe, I would have to conclude that MORE ads use models than not, and for good reasons.

By: Heather O'Cain

Heather O'Cain — Sun, 03 Oct 2010 15:45:39 +0000

I use vintage, worn jewelry and remake it into fun modern pieces; part of the cool thing about vintage is the “story” or “feel” and the gently worn look or patina. I do not use a model for my earrings but I use one for my necklaces because , for me, it is so difficult to tell how a piece is going to look without a model!
http://www.blukatdesign.com/

By: Phyllis Melendez

Phyllis Melendez — Fri, 02 Jul 2010 20:38:54 +0000

I loved using models for our jewelry. I created a fashion show of still shots, then used jewelry shots for the store. They were the young friends of my daughter. They passed around the link to their friends and we got lots of hits that way, plus a few sales!! The fashion show is down now because the jewelry was from last winter, but I plan on doing another shoot again soon – just in time for the new school year!!

By: David

David — Sat, 20 Mar 2010 18:14:06 +0000

For us as a online retailer I think using live model shots is a great way to create a connection with customer .Having said that our use is kept to banners on homepage. On the other hand as far a actual pieces go they are better display on a white or close to white background for detail. This is somethng we detemined after reading articles on this site and trying.

By: David

David — Sat, 20 Mar 2010 18:13:10 +0000

For us as a online retailer I think using live model shots is a great way to connect and create a connection with customer .Having said that are use is kept to banners on homepage. On the other hand as far a actual pieces go they are better display on a white or close to white background for detail. This is somethng we detemined after reading articles on this site and trying.

By: Amanda

Amanda — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 04:09:37 +0000

Really great article to read – I love this website!

Last weekend I had a shoot using three models – to be fair they were all young and thin – although one is very curvy… I’m a long way from looking like that myself, but what I love about Jewellery is that it is one of the few things I can see in a Glossy magazine worn by a young and thin woman that I can actually wear myself!

For me one of the main exciting benefits of Jewellery is that its one of the few forms of clothing that isn’t determined by your size and shape – it doesn’t discriminate or dictate – it simply adorns you whatever age or shape you are….
You really are free to be governed by your own personal taste – and its a fantastic, liberating way to convey you sense of style.
I try to make pieces that are affordable, but a little more unusual – so many pieces have several focal points, which can be hard to convey how they look or ‘sit’ in a ‘Still Life’ shot.

I personally find that when I include a ‘modeled’ piece I get a lot more views on Etsy.
Also, one piece that had hardly any views in several months of being listed, I added a modeled shot to my listing at the weekend and it sold within 24hrs!?!

I agree with the comments on how a model can detract, but I do think everything is worth a try – maybe modeled shots work better on some styles more than others.
I always include close up shots of the pieces as well – I find that combining the two approaches in each listing has always worked well for me – But I do seem to sell more pieces that are seen as worn by a model than not.

I think the key thing is to be creative with your photography shots, let your style come through your images as well as your pieces – it can be a fantastic additional way of creating your style / brand etc…

I have currently got more live model shots in my shop than ever before – and I’ve had more views this week than I normally do…
But organising model shots is very difficult, and as I make several new pieces a week – it isn’t possible to have model shots of everything – so I try to achieve a balance by taking model shots once every 6 weeks or so, in order to keep the shop looking fresh.

I guess this, like everything in Jewellery, is a case of finding what works for you, and your own personal style.

Amanda
http://www.etsy.com/shop/MissLadysmith – if you would like to see some of my recent ‘model’ shots

By: Lynn

Lynn — Tue, 23 Feb 2010 16:39:46 +0000

Thank you Mara and Michelle for your encouraging comments, and understanding that not all women are young and thin.

By: Michelle Buettner

Michelle Buettner — Mon, 22 Feb 2010 17:01:35 +0000

Lynn,
Interesting comment you make here about the models being young and thin. This was something I took into consideration when I chose models for my website. I wanted women of all ages and sizes, so I have models from pre-teen up to one model who was age 57 and their body types are fairly normal, with more medium to heavier frames. I’ve gotten many comments on the wide ranges of ages and body types that I selected for my website, but the most wonderful fact is that because all of these girls/women are confident and comfortable in their own skin, they look absolutely gorgeous – and they make my jewelry look amazing, so I would tend to believe that it is how you feel about yourself that dictates which types of jewelry you would look good in and feel good about wearing. Don’t let unreal imagines of things stop you from trying something you like,…you will probably be amazed at how wonderful you look!

By: Linda Halvorson

Linda Halvorson — Mon, 22 Feb 2010 16:27:08 +0000

I have not yet p[osted any pictures with live models. However, I am waiting for a picture from the wedding of one of my customers wearing the bridal ensemble I made for her. Thus, this won’t be sold, but will show what I make and how it was worn. Otherwise, I am not interest in showing the jewelry on live models.

By: Mara Nesbitt

Mara Nesbitt — Mon, 22 Feb 2010 06:11:35 +0000

Lynn, I’m neither young nor thin either. The jewelry I make either is designed or can be custom made for large people (longer bracelets, longer necklaces, size-appropriate earrings etc.). Unlike large size clothing which looks stupid on thin models and doesn’t give an idea of how it will look on a real woman of size, jewelry is much more forgiving if you know what sizes you wear.

For example, most bracelets are made 7 – 7 1/2 inches long, but many of my bracelets are 8 1/2 inches. If you measure your wrist and add about 3/4 inches to that, and pick a place on your neck or chest that you like your necklaces to hit, then you can judge which pieces of jewelry are appropriate for you. And just because you’re not thin, it doesn’t mean that you can’t wear a delicate piece of jewelry – it’s whatever you like.

And as for age – nothing makes a woman look happy and vibrant, no matter how old she is, than a piece of jewelry that she loves.