What is ecommerce product photography?

It's all about taking clear, appealing photos that showcase your products online. You can do this yourself or use AI tools like Assembo.ai to generate professional-looking images.

How much does e-commerce product photography cost?

Hiring a human photographer can range from $500 to $10,000 per day, depending on your needs. Alternatively, AI tools like Assembo.ai offer unlimited photos for $20 to $50 per month.

How to take product photos for e-commerce?

Use your smartphone or camera with a tripod. Set up near a window for natural light, use a plain background, and take shots from multiple angles. Editing tools can help enhance the images. Or, try AI tools like Assembo.ai for quick, professional results.

How do I get product images for my ecommerce website?

You can obtain product images by asking your supplier for them, taking your own photos, hiring a professional photographer, or using AI tools like Assembo.ai to create them.

Do 75% of online shoppers rely on product photos to make purchasing decisions?

No, according to a study by Etsy, 90% of online shoppers consider product photos as a key factor in their purchasing decisions. Using AI tools like Assembo.ai to create high-quality product images can increase conversion rates by up to 250%.

Top 12 Best Social Brands to Inspire Your Strategy

Lola Lin

July 16, 2025

5 min read

Best social brands know how to connect with their audience in exciting ways. These brands stand out by using creative content, humor, and platform-specific strategies. No matter if you're a small business or a large enterprise, learning from the best social brands can help you improve your own social media game. In this article, we’ll dig in to the top 12 best social brands and what makes them so successful. From Nike’s emotional storytelling to Wendy’s witty tweets, these brands set the bar high.

Nike social media strategy

1. Nike: Emotional Storytelling

Nike is one of the best social brands because of its powerful storytelling. Instead of just promoting products, Nike focuses on the athletes who wear them. This creates an emotional connection with fans.

Key strategies:
1. Celebrates both champions and underdogs.
2. Uses Instagram to showcase athletes' journeys.
3. Avoids direct product promotion in favor of storytelling.

For more insights, check out Nike’s social media approach.

Use Assembo.ai to Create Custom Backgrounds

2. Use Assembo.ai to Create Custom Backgrounds

Assembo.ai is a great tool to visualize how your social media content will look in different settings. Upload your design and see it in various backgrounds instantly.

How it works:
1. Upload your social media design.
2. Choose from a variety of backgrounds.
3. See your content in different settings.

Learn more about Assembo.ai and its features.

Wendy's Twitter strategy

3. Wendy’s: Witty and Authentic

Wendy’s is one of the best social brands on Twitter, known for its humor and roasts. With 3.8 million followers, it outshines competitors like McDonald’s.

Why it works:
1. Uses snark and sass to stand out.
2. Engages in playful rivalries with other brands.
3. Maintains a consistent, bold voice.

See more of Wendy’s Twitter success.

GoPro user-generated content

4. GoPro: User-Generated Content

GoPro thrives on user-generated content, showcasing breathtaking adventures from its community. The #GoPro hashtag is synonymous with action sports.

Key tactics:
1. Runs contests like the Million Dollar Challenge.
2. Features user videos on Instagram and TikTok.
3. Builds trust through real-life product use.

Explore GoPro’s content strategy.

Airbnb visual storytelling

5. Airbnb: Visual Storytelling

Airbnb focuses on stunning visuals of unique stays, making it one of the best social brands on Instagram and Pinterest.

What sets it apart:
1. Highlights luxurious and quirky properties.
2. Uses influencer partnerships effectively.
3. Creates dreamy, aspirational content.

Check out Airbnb’s social media presence.

National Geographic Instagram

6. National Geographic: Stunning Photography

With 280 million Instagram followers, National Geographic is a master of visual content. Its photos tell powerful stories.

Why it works:
1. Features jaw-dropping nature and wildlife shots.
2. Uses the #YourShot community for user content.
3. Maintains a consistent, high-quality aesthetic.

See more on National Geographic’s Instagram.

Chipotle TikTok challenges

7. Chipotle: Fun TikTok Challenges

Chipotle was an early adopter of TikTok and created viral challenges like #GuacDance, which got 430 million views in six days.

Key moves:
1. Embraces meme culture and humor.
2. Runs interactive contests and challenges.
3. Responds to complaints with witty comebacks.

Learn about Chipotle’s TikTok success.

Glossier user-generated content

8. Glossier: Community-Driven Beauty

Glossier built a cult following by featuring real customers in its campaigns, making it one of the best social brands for authenticity.

How it stands out:
1. Uses real people instead of models.
2. Encourages user-generated content with #Glossier.
3. Focuses on a conversational, inclusive tone.

See Glossier’s social strategy.

Duolingo viral marketing

9. Duolingo: Chaos Marketing

Duolingo’s unhinged TikTok persona, led by its mascot Duo, helped it grow from 50k to 16M followers.

Why it’s effective:
1. Embraces absurd humor and memes.
2. Engages with trends in unexpected ways.
3. Humanizes the brand with playful antics.

Read about Duolingo’s viral stunts.

Spotify Wrapped campaign

10. Spotify: Personalized Data Stories

Spotify Wrapped is a masterclass in data-driven marketing, turning user listening habits into shareable content.

Key elements:
1. Creates personalized year-in-review summaries.
2. Uses bold, eye-catching visuals.
3. Encourages users to share their results.

Explore Spotify’s Wrapped campaign.

11. Netflix: Meme Marketing

Netflix creates its own memes using screenshots from its shows, making it one of the best social brands for organic reach.

Why it works:
1. Sticks to its own content for memes.
2. Engages with fans in witty ways.
3. Keeps the tone fun and relatable.

See Netflix’s meme strategy.

Starbucks employer branding

12. Starbucks: Humanizing the Brand

Starbucks highlights its baristas and values, making it one of the best social brands for employer branding.

Key tactics:
1. Showcases employee stories.
2. Promotes diversity and sustainability.
3. Uses Instagram for visually appealing posts.

Learn about Starbucks’ social media.

Final Thoughts

The best social brands succeed by being authentic, creative, and platform-savvy. No matter if you're a startup or an established company, these examples show how to connect with your audience in meaningful ways. From Nike’s storytelling to Wendy’s humor, there’s something to learn from each of these brands. Start experimenting with these strategies to level up your own social media presence.