Menswear product photography, from shirts to suits
Men’s clothing is judged on fit and fabric: the collar, the shoulder, the sleeve and the length of the trouser. Here is what each menswear item needs to show, how to shoot the source photo, and how to turn it into a full set without a shoot day.
25 free credits to start
What buyers look for in a menswear photo
Menswear is bought on details, and the photos are read closely. Buyers look for where the shoulder seam sits, how the collar stands, whether the sleeve ends at the wrist, and where the trouser breaks over the shoe. They also want to know the weight of the fabric: a crisp poplin, a soft flannel and a heavy twill look nothing alike up close.
A hanger photo answers almost none of that. That is why a menswear listing usually needs a close-up of the fabric and at least one image on a body, as well as the clean main image.
Item by item
- Shirts. Button the shirt to the top, put the collar stays in and keep the placket straight. Add a close-up of the collar and the cuff, which is where quality shows.
- Suits and blazers. The hardest case. The structure of a tailored shoulder and the drape of a heavy cloth are exactly what is difficult to recreate, and it can take a few attempts before a jacket sits right. Check the lapel shape and count the buttons in every image.
- Knitwear. Texture sells a sweater, so a close-up of the knit matters more than usual, along with the ribbing at the cuffs and the hem.
- Trousers and chinos. Lay them flat with the crease pressed. Mark them as trousers in the studio and the model wears them with a plain top, so the trousers stay the focus.
- T-shirts with a print. Easy garments, but check in a close-up that any text or logo reads exactly as it does on the real shirt.
- Jackets and coats. Mark them as outerwear and the model wears them over a plain top, with plain trousers or jeans.
Shooting the source photo
- Shirts and jackets on a hanger against a plain wall, with the shoulders filled out by the hanger rather than drooping. A shaped hanger helps with jackets.
- Trousers and knitwear laid flat, shot from directly above in daylight.
- A photo of the back if it matters: a yoke, a vent, back pockets. For an accurate back view, the studio needs a photo of the back.
- A close photo of the fabric for the close-up, sharp enough to show the weave.
- Steam everything. Creases in the source photo carry through to the result.
From one photo to a full set
- Product shot: the garment on its own on a plain backdrop, the main image for the catalog.
- Close-up: collar and sleeve, buttons and zippers, or fabric and texture, from medium to macro.
- On a male model: the same flat lay or hanger photo, worn by the man you choose. Poses that suit menswear include hand in pocket, walking, leaning and arms crossed.
- A setting for the item: a plain studio backdrop for the product page, a city street for casual wear, and an evening setting such as a marble lobby or a dark wood library for tailoring.
A standard-quality image costs 5 credits, and the free plan includes 25 credits a month.
Choosing the man
The type of man changes who the photo speaks to: the same shirt reads differently on a man in his twenties and on one in his forties with a beard. Choose the type for your customer, then keep the same man across the collection so the catalog looks like one shoot. The AI male models page covers the choices, from age and beard to build.
Questions
Can AI photograph suits and blazers?
Yes, but they are the hardest menswear items. A tailored shoulder and heavy cloth can take a few attempts to sit right, so check the lapels, the shoulder line and the number of buttons in each image. Shirts, T-shirts, knitwear and chinos are much more predictable.
How do I photograph a men’s shirt for an online store?
Button it to the top, put the collar stays in and hang it on a hanger that fills the shoulders, against a plain wall in daylight. Take a second, close photo of the collar and the fabric. From those two photos you can make the main image, a close-up and the shirt on a model.
Can I show the same shirt on different men?
Yes. Run the same photo with a different model to show the shirt on a younger and an older man, then keep the one that fits your brand for the rest of the catalog.
What background works best for menswear?
A plain studio backdrop for the product page, where buyers compare fit. For ads and social media, a city street suits casual wear, and an evening interior such as a marble lobby suits tailoring.
How much does menswear photography with AI cost?
A standard-quality image costs 5 credits. The free plan includes 25 credits a month, and the paid plans are on the pricing page.