You do not need a studio for good product photos. A phone, a window and a sheet of white card get you most of the way. Good photos sell, and they also prevent returns, because people know exactly what they are buying.
The simple setup
- A table next to a large window, out of direct sun.
- A sheet of white card curved behind the product as a seamless background.
- A second white card on the opposite side to bounce light into the shadows.
- Your phone on a small tripod, or resting on a stack of books.
Turn off the room lights. Mixing daylight and indoor bulbs makes colours look wrong.
Light is everything
Soft, even light shows products as they really are. Shoot during the day, near a window. If the sun shines straight in, hang a thin white curtain or baking paper over the window to soften it.
Shots every product page needs
- A main photo on a plain background, product filling most of the frame.
- Other angles: side, back, top.
- Details: texture, stitching, labels, materials.
- In use: worn, held or in a real setting.
- Size: next to a hand or a familiar object, so the scale is clear.
Phone camera tips
- Clean the lens. It is the most common cause of blurry photos.
- Tap the product on screen to focus and set the brightness.
- Do not use digital zoom. Move the phone closer instead.
- Turn off the flash.
- Keep the phone steady, and use a timer to avoid shake.
Keep it consistent
Use the same background, light and angle for every product in a collection. A consistent set looks professional and makes your shop easier to browse. Write down your setup so you can repeat it.
Edit lightly
Crop, straighten and adjust brightness so the photo matches the real product. Do not change colours or remove flaws that the customer will see. A photo that does not match the item leads to returns and bad reviews.
Common mistakes
- Busy backgrounds that distract from the product.
- Colours that do not match the real item.
- Only one photo.
- No sense of size.
Photos and words work together
Photos show, and words explain. Pair good photos with clear product descriptions and a fair return policy. Good photos also make better Instagram posts.