How To Photograph Jewellery For Insurance 10th June 2017 – Posted in: Jewellery care – Tags: , , , , , , , , ,

Ladies, it’s a sad fact, but not everybody in the world is as honest and decent as you and I, which is why, when you’re in the possession of jewellery as utterly gorgeous as ours (particularly the more valuable pieces), it’s a good idea to make sure you have proper insurance. As part of that, many insurance companies require photographs of the jewellery in question, either when taking out the insurance or, if the worst should happen (heaven forbid), when you need to make a claim.

Obviously, it’s vitally important that such photos need to be really clear and good quality but, with jewellery being so small and often involving stunningly complex detail, it can often be a little tricky to get it just right. But don’t panic ladies; there are some basic rules that you can follow to help you photograph jewellery for insurance purposes and, as usual, I’m here to tell you all about them! 

 

A Simple Background

The background of the photograph really does matter. If it’s cluttered and busy, it will take the focus away from the jewellery, and some of its features may go unnoticed. Plus, well, it’ll just look a bit of a mess really.

According to an article published by Kodak.com entitled Photographing Objects for Insurance, placing the subject in front of a plain and non-distracting background will focus attention onto it, resulting in a stronger and much more credible picture. So no distractions, girls!

 

Angles

As we know from being selfie queens (come on ladies, we’re all guilty!) it’s all about angles, angles and more angles. As Mike Panic explains in an article for lightstalking.com, entitled How to Photograph Jewellery, simply laying your jewellery down flat won’t make the visual impact you’re looking for.

Instead, by propping up your piece and taking a few snaps from different angles, you’ll capture the true essence of your beautiful jewellery and all of its complex detail. Mike also explains that it may take a bit of experimenting to get it right, but we’re used to that though aren’t we, I mean, we hide our double chin easily enough right?

 

Get Rid of the Glare

I never thought I’d say this folks, but shiny-ness is our enemy! Well, when it comes to photography, at least. According to Dave Wallis’ article for guildofjewellerydesigners.co.uk, entitled Photographing Jewellery, it’s really important to get the lighting right when snapping your sparkly pieces, otherwise you’ll end up with reflections – maybe of yourself, maybe of a roaming ketchup bottle or…erm…god knows what else! – as well as unwanted shadows.

What’s more, the flash really is not our friend. Shopify.co.uk also explain, in their article entitled 10 Common Jewellery Product Mistakes and How to Avoid Them, that the viewer may often mistake these reflections for flaws in the stones or metals, and we defo don’t want that.

The best way to avoid all this is to shine one large light directly onto the jewellery in close proximity and to place the subject on a plain piece of white paper. You can even hang a sheet between a pesky light source and your mini studio. Easy peasy.

 

Zoom, Zoom, Zoom

When photographing jewellery, it’s really important that the subject fills the frame; if the shot is too distant, it’s likely the piece’s beautiful and intricate detail won’t be visible, it won’t make as great an impact and it’ll generally just look a bit amateur.

According to the same aforementioned article by Kodak.com, best practice is to get physically as close to the piece as you can and use your camera’s closest focusing distance. We’re ready for our close up, Mr. Deville!

 

Our Infographic To Help You Photograph Jewellery For Insurance

Need a recap? Check out our handy infographic on how to photograph jewellery;

Photographing Jewellery Infographic

 

Get In Touch

So there you have it folks, you can now leave no stone unturned when it comes to photographing all of your gorgeous jewellery for insurance purposes. Follow these rules and your back will be well and truly covered should the worst happen. You’re welcome!

If you’d like to take a look at some of our very own jewellery collections, or beautiful bespoke jewellery hand-made by the incredibly talented Guy, then please do visit our website or bob in to the shop.

And if you’d like some more info on any of our jewellery or on insuring your jewellery correctly, then you can drop me a line at katie@guywakelingjewellery.co.uk, give me a bell on 01772 379 956, or take a trip out to our studio at 15 Church Row Chambers, Longton Preston, PR4 5PN.