Step 1: The Pre-Photographic Era:
Before photography, businesses relied on hand-drawn sketches or woodcuts to advertise products, which often caused consumer skepticism about the product's true appearance.
Step 2: Key Business Transformations:
Photography established visual truth and credibility by providing direct evidence of a product's appearance. It transformed print advertising and fueled the mail-order catalog industry.
Step 3: Modern Commerce Integration:
This evolution dramatically boosted consumer trust and laid the foundation for modern visual branding and catalog shopping.