Hiring a talented product photographer (as opposed to the cheapest, or worse still trying to do it yourself) makes all the difference. Anyone with patience, some sense, and a good camera can take photos that are good enough to use - but if you want catalogue level shots as good as a major company, you have to hire the talent a major company would use.
(although to repeat Monkeylantern's advice - there is plenty of undiscovered talent waiting at your local photography college, just be sure to check a portfolio, as there are also a lot of people who are destined to be the latest and greatest fast food worker)
(although to repeat Monkeylantern's advice - there is plenty of undiscovered talent waiting at your local photography college, just be sure to check a portfolio, as there are also a lot of people who are destined to be the latest and greatest fast food worker)