360° product photography: a guide to immersive imagery | Omi.so

Types of 360° product photography

Gamel Helmets used Omi to launch their products before their inventory hit the shelves. Learn more about launching products with Omi.

There are different ways to achieve a 360° view of your products; let’s explore them below. 

1. Traditional 360° product photography

Traditional 360° product photography is achieved by capturing a series of high-resolution images from multiple angles, using techniques such as 360° turntable photography. Photos are taken at regular rotation intervals, such as 36 stills at 10-degree intervals. Then, the photographer stitches the images together with specialized software to create a rotational product view. 

In some cases, this will be a non-interactive view, meaning that the stitched images are exported as a spinning video that can’t be manually rotated from side to side. 

Compared to regular still images, this format enables customers to inspect products from different angles. But, because of its non-interactive nature, it’s better suited for showcasing products that don’t require close inspection, such as cosmetics.

2. Interactive 360° spin photography (3D Viewer)

Interactive 360° spin photography empowers customers to control product views by rotating items from left to right in real-time. 360° spins are useful for gaining a more tactile understanding of more premium products. 

This approach is perfect for eCommerce categories like electronics, appliances, or outdoor gear where visual inspection becomes more important. For example, shoppers can explore different angles to view the number of ports or connections on a laptop or examine the straps or logo of a handbag.

3. 360° animations

360° animations add dynamic storytelling to product displays, showcasing features like functionality and assembly, and illustrating product use. 

They can also showcase a sense of style, personality, and identity — helping to nail down brand expression. For example, a vibrant sneaker brand might use bold 360° animations to show off sneaker patterns and designs and reinforce a youthful, energetic brand identity. 

Animations can also highlight a product’s functionality and technical specs. So, they’re ideal for demonstrating complex or high-value items like machinery, furniture with foldable features, or wearable tech. 

With Omi, 360° is functionally the same as a video animation of the product spinning. This is done with our much-loved Video Maker (an add-on to the subscription).

4. Photorealistic 3D models

Photorealistic 3D models are lifelike digital representations of products. Brands can use 3D models to create 360-spin videos or launch fully interactive product displays in a 3D viewer. 

The final products capture texture, material, and other intricate details. Shoppers can interact with them, rotating products left and right, up and down, and zooming in and out to get a closer view. 

Due to the level of realism and interactivity that’s possible when working from a 3D model, they’re ideal for creating renders of high-end luxury goods and products where the focus is on craftsmanship or specific design features — such as jewelry or leatherwork.  

How Omi makes 360° product photography easier and faster

Creating high-quality 360° product imagery typically requires specialized equipment and a meticulous multi-shot process. It also takes considerable time to organize photoshoots and wait for post-production editing. Omi simplifies this by eliminating the need for physical setups, offering an entirely virtual and scalable solution for 360° product photography.

Omi’s technology lets you instantly generate photorealistic 360-spin visuals without the complexities of traditional methods. Using the Virtual Studio, you can create professional-grade spin videos in a fraction of the time it would take with conventional photography. 

Not only does this save time and effort, but it also reduces costs related to photography equipment, studio space, and production. It’s a simple three-step process to create high-quality 360-spin visuals with Omi:

• Ship your products to us

• Our expert team will create lifelike 3D models of your items

• Once crafted, you can host countless photo shoots to capture visuals for your eCommerce website, social media and seasonal campaigns

You begin with a photorealistic 3D model

Omi’s photorealistic 3D models elevate your product visualization by capturing the finest details in texture and material. These models are digitally crafted to create a digital twin of your product that you can use to generate lifelike visuals in the Virtual Studio. 

From here, you can generate  360° videos that show off your product from every angle — from the subtle material textures to the interplay of light and shadows. These photorealistic videos level up any product listing, homepage, or your Instagram grid.

Create 360° visuals in just a few clicks

Once you have your Omi 3D model, you can play with it in the Virtual Studio to create a spin video that gives a 360° view of your product. Simply add an object spin effect called “360 spin,” then export it in video format. You’ll get a dynamic, photorealistic clip of up to eight seconds to showcase your items.

Most of the people who use Omi aren’t designers; the Virtual Studio gives them the tools to scale their content production and quickly generate hundreds of visuals. 

Customize your visuals as needed

Unlike traditional 360° product photography, Omi allows for infinite customization. Enjoy total creative freedom to experiment and craft endless 360-spin visuals in different settings — without physical limitations or the constraints of product photography studio setups.  

Whether fine-tuning lighting for more dramatic shadows or switching backgrounds for seasonal promotions, Omi’s Virtual Studio makes these adjustments quick and seamless. This flexibility allows for quick experimentation to optimize imagery for different audiences, platforms, or creative strategies — all without needing to reshoot.

Omi’s ultimate solution for 360° product visuals

Omi revolutionizes the way businesses create 360° product visuals, offering a solution that combines speed, scalability, and cost-efficiency. 

Traditional product photography methods demand a significant investment in equipment, studio setups, and time-consuming processes, making it challenging to produce high-quality visuals at scale. 

Omi eliminates these barriers with its Virtual Studio, enabling you to create stunning 360° visuals effortlessly, making it ideal for businesses with extensive product catalogs or frequent updates. With its ability to instantly fine-tune every detail — from angles and lighting to backgrounds — Omi delivers unmatched flexibility and control.