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Tips to help you produce professional product shots on a shoestring budget.

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Humans process visuals faster than words, which is why product photography plays such a vital role in online retail sales.&nbsp;“People look first and read second,” says Tess Robinson of branding agency<a href="https://smackbang.co/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent;"> </a><a href="https://smackbang.co/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(17, 85, 204); background-color: transparent;">Smack Bang Designs</a>. “Visuals are processed by the brain 60,000 times faster than text, so imagery is a big part of what enables your audience to relate to and recall your brand.”&nbsp;That means that any photography featuring your brand – from simple e‑commerce photos showing products against a plain background, to more highly produced lifestyle imagery – is critical to capturing customers’ attention and convincing them to buy your products.Ashley Ashcroft and Jessica Morley of London-based florist<a href="https://stixandstems.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent;"> </a><a href="https://stixandstems.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(17, 85, 204); background-color: transparent;">Stix &amp; Stems</a> understand the financial value of product photography. “Putting effort into product photography makes sense – you’re showcasing your goods. A captivating image could be the difference between good and bad sales.”&nbsp;

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"A captivating image could be the difference between good and bad sales."

<h2>Types of DIY product photography&nbsp;</h2>There are many different styles of product photography, and it’s important to determine which types you need. Here are seven of the most common.1.&nbsp;Individual product shots&nbsp;

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Product shot courtesy of Sir Dogwood and See Scout Sleep

What: Simple images shot on a plain background.Used: On product pages, and wholesaler sites like Amazon.Purpose: To show products as realistically as possible.&nbsp;2.&nbsp;Group product shots

Group product shot supplied by Esmi Mineral Skincare and EveryDay Co.

What: A showcase of several products togetherUsed: As secondary shots on product pages&nbsp;Purpose: Helpful for displaying products that come in different variations (think: a mug that comes in ten colours).&nbsp;3.&nbsp;Lifestyle product shots

Lifestyle shot supplied by Somewhere Co.

What: Your products shot in situ or an aspirational settingUsed: On social media, homepages and as secondary shots on product pagesPurpose: To show customers what their life could look like with your product in it.4.&nbsp;Scale product shots

What: Your product shot next to others&nbsp;Used: On product pages&nbsp;Purpose: To show the size or scale of your product compared to others (for example, different sized handbags)5.&nbsp;Detail product shots

What: Close-up shots of product detailsUsed: On product pages&nbsp;Purpose: Useful for items with tiny features like jewellery or to help customers see critical details6.&nbsp;Pack shots

Packaging shot supplied by Everyday Co.

What: Shots of packaging&nbsp;Used: On product pages or in lifestyle shots on social media or onlinePurpose: If you’ve invested in incredible branded packaging, why not show it off. Also helps customers to know what to expect when they receive your product in the mail.7.&nbsp;Process shots

What: Shots of your product being createdUsed: On social media, online and on product pages&nbsp;Purpose: To highlight the artistry that’s gone into your products. For example, a jeweller making a ring.&nbsp;8.&nbsp;Model shots

What: Photos of models wearing your product (can be in studio or in a lifestyle setting)Used: On product pages&nbsp;Purpose: To show what your products look like when worn. (Remember: photography involving models is more expensive because it includes hair, make-up and styling.)9.&nbsp;Ghost mannequin or flat lay product photography

What: Photos of models wearing your product (can be in studio or in a lifestyle setting)Used: On product pages&nbsp;Purpose: To show what your products look like when worn. (Remember: photography involving models is more expensive because it includes hair, make-up and styling.)

<h2>Start all DIY product photography with a strategy</h2>First thing’s first. Robinson recommends getting clear on what you want to achieve well before you start shooting.&nbsp;“Identify what makes [your brand] unique, and then double down on it,” she says. Once you're set on a direction, consider how many assets you need to produce. Are you in need of new snaps for Instagram? Or just want to refresh the product shots on your website? Write down a shot list so nothing gets missed.&nbsp;“Always produce more than you need, then cull anything that doesn’t feel consistent,” she adds.

Remy Gerega is the owner of<a href="https://yogaeverywhere.com.au/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"> YogaEverywhere</a>, which sells yoga accessories and towels. He is also a photographer by trade and shoots his own product photography and lifestyle imagery.His top tip for DIY product photography? Create a mood board.“Source inspiration images then pull together a storyboard. Print it out and refine it until the selection feels aligned with your vision. It’ll ensure that what you end up with all works together because you’ve already gone to the trouble of looking at it as a whole.”<h2>How to set up a mini DIY product photography studio&nbsp;</h2>Once you know the type of products you want to shoot and the overall aesthetic, it’s time to look at creating your own DIY product photography studio.Not sure how to go about recreating a professional set-up at home or in the office?Professional photographer Sevak Babakhani says most brands do just fine with the basics: “You don’t need a fancy studio to get a good result – most brands will be OK with a few bits of equipment.”Digital cameraIf you’re just starting out or on a lean budget, it’s possible to shoot DIY product photography with a smartphone.However, if your budget can stretch far enough, invest in a digital camera, or a cost-effective alternative is to hire one.“A good camera will improve your shots, particularly when it comes to clarity,” says Gerega. “It makes lighting easier too – there’s more room for error.”TripodThere are lots of affordable tripods available online (Amazon is a good place to look). An essential for crisp-looking photos, tripods allow you to use a slow shutter speed for sharpness and detail, which adds a professional finish to your captures.If you’re opting to shoot on your smartphone, you’ll need to invest in an additional mount that fits the tripod and your specific phone to hold it steadily in place.&nbsp;A backgroundFor most brands, sturdy white or light-coloured paper or card will do. “You want something smooth for consistency – an obvious texture could become an issue if you’re shooting products of different sizes because of the scale,” says Babakhani.A smooth backdrop also makes it easier to remove unwanted objects when retouching photos.Remember that anything shiny – such as an acrylic or plastic background – will cast a shadow.A shooting tableTogether with your background, a table or shooting surface will form the bones of your DIY product photography studio. If you’re shooting regularly, consider leaving your studio set up for ease.&nbsp;Ashcroft and Morley snap fresh blooms every day, so this approach works for them. “We’ve created a space where we take pics of our products day-to-day.”

Position the table flush to the wall and tape your paper roll (or ‘sweep’) to the wall for a seamless backdrop.For larger products, you might need a<a href="https://www.hypop.com.au/collections/c-stands" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"> C-stand</a> (a versatile piece of equipment used to hold and position all sorts of things including backdrops and lights) to position the backdrop high enough to fit everything in.These are available for rent or you can have a go at making your own with a microphone stand with this<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=29&amp;v=mE_DtP7bdug&amp;feature=emb_logo&amp;ab_channel=thefrugalfilmmaker" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"> tutorial</a>.A softbox and/or LED attachmentA softbox – also known as a lightbox or light tent – is a wireframe box with translucent walls and, often, an in-built LED light.The walls help evenly distribute light around the product, and as a result softboxes act like an all-in-one photographic set-up. They can be particularly useful for shooting small items like jewellery or baseball caps.

The best way to produce bright light is with LED,” explains Babakhani. “A softbox is key for diffusing harsh lighting and creating softer shadows – it also reduces shiny spots for a professional finish.”Don’t have the budget for a softbox? Make your own. You can find<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T6fnHEvLyAE&amp;ab_channel=DIY-XYZ" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"> instructions for making these on YouTube</a> with plastic containers and white paper.A white bounce cardYou can buy these professionally, but a flat piece of card will do. If you don’t have multiple lights use a bounce card to reflect your light source back onto the subject from the side for softer shadows.Editing softwareEven top photographers use editing software to perfect their images – and if you’re a beginner, it’s likely that you’ll need to learn the basics of editing images.Adobe Photoshop is the program used by many pros, but if you’re on a lean budget, it can be expensive. Canva is an affordable alternative, as many features are free. Snapseed is another popular option.Some programmes and online services even do the heavy lifting for you. Pixelz uses AI technology to do everything from background removal to high-end retouching with subscriptions starting at £52 a month, while<a href="https://www.deepetch.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"> Deepetch</a> offers quick turnarounds for last-minute jobs. Babakhani is a fan of Pixelcut, an image editing app that offers social media-friendly templates and automatically resizes and formats images for upload. Prices start at £4.45 per month.

<h2>DIY product photography lighting for beginners&nbsp;</h2>Professional photographers spend years learning how to harness and manipulate light, and lighting is a complex subject. That said, if you follow a few simple rules, you can produce crisp, impactful photographs.1. Expose your images correctlyIt may seem obvious, but it’s important that your photographs aren’t too light or too dark – especially in e-commerce where customers are relying on photography to provide an accurate depiction of the products they’re considering purchasing.“Your eye is the best judge – if you think it looks too dark, it probably is,” says Babakhani. “A good exposure will have contrast between highlights and shadows.” You can play around with exposure by adjusting the aperture and shutter speed settings on your camera. Haven’t got a clue how? DSLRs have auto-exposure systems that do it for you.&nbsp;2. Shoot in a white room“I either shoot in a white room or put up cheap<a href="https://www.officeworks.com.au/shop/officeworks/p/a1-foam-board-5mm-white-ljpcfba1we" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"> white foam or poly boards</a> to minimise colour cast – this is when certain types of light create an unwanted colour tint on the final image,” says Gerega. “You can also minimise this by adjusting your camera’s white balance – search for ‘how-tos’ for your camera model online.”&nbsp;3. Use a single light source“Place your light source at front left or front right and position a bounce card on the opposite side,” says Babakhani. “If you feel like experimenting, move the light higher or lower to achieve pleasing highlights."&nbsp;4. Switch off the lights“When using LED lighting, the room you are in should be dark so that other light sources don’t fall on set,” says Babakhani. Shut off overhead lights and lamps and close curtains for more control over your lighting.&nbsp;5. Experiment in advance“If you’re still learning, determine what works best for your vision, products and skill level before shoot day,” says Gerega. “Using natural lighting can be a good choice to begin with, but you’ll need to take into consideration the time of day if shooting outdoors – the sun will be either your nemesis or your guardian angel.” (Cloudy or overcast days often provide the best light.)<h2>How to set up your product</h2>It can take a lot of finessing to get the angle, lighting and product positioning the way you want them. Place the product in front of the backdrop and centre it. “I’ll always start with the simplest shot I can,” says Babakhani. “Make sure you can see details and that any labels are legible.”

"Always start with the simplest shot."

Depending on what you’re shooting, you might also need:- Mannequins for clothing and accessories- Hangers for deep-etched clothing shots- A friend or colleague to feature in lifestyle shots<h2>DIY product photography styling hacks anyone can use</h2>Babakhani says the clients he works with often build up a repertoire of styling tricks with time experience. “What works for you will depend on your product, but there are a few basic tips that almost always apply.”1. Use tissue paper as stuffingEver wondered how stylists make beauty products packaged in tubs look so generous and inviting? Chances are there are hidden wads of tissue paper adding bulk to the product.To DIY, scoop out your product with a palette or other flat knife onto a plate, add scrunched up tissue to the empty tub, then pile the product back in over the top. Use the knife to swirl the top for an extra flourish, then carefully clean up the packaging. Tissue paper can also be used to stuff softly structured bags and shoes that need a little help standing up.2. Invest in eucalyptus oil and Blu Tack“Nothing cleans away gunk and glue residue as well as eucalyptus oil,” says Babakhani. A few swabs makes short work of greasy marks. When styling a group shot, Blu Tack allows you to keep fiddly items in place.3. Wear lint-free gloves“A pair of white lint-free gloves will allow you to handle shiny objects without leaving behind fingerprints,” says Babakhani. They’re especially handy for glass bottles and beauty products, which tend to show up marks.4. Add levels to your shotsProfessional stylists use props like levels, lifts and acrylic risers to add depth and interest to shots that involve more than one product. A quick google search will likely reveal suppliers that sell or hire props.5. Don't overcomplicate things“If styling doesn’t come naturally to you, keep things simple. Rarely does a clean product shot not work,” says Gerega. “For interest, you could play around with lighting and shadows instead of adding things into frame.”6. Get crafty“If you don’t have much of a budget, use what you’ve got,” says Gerega. “A white bedsheet makes an easy backdrop for bigger shots. Chances are you’ve got things around the house or office that will work as props.”

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Tips to help you produce professional product shots on a shoestring budget

Professionals reveal how to take product photos with the ultimate guide to product photography. 

How to Take Product Photos: Guide to Product Photography

Product photography: 

 The ultimate DIY guide to product photography UK

Forget fancy camera equipment. Discover how to take e‑commerce photos with your smartphone!

Not all small business owners have the budget for a professional product shoot, or even a DSLR camera.&nbsp;Luckily, you probably already own the only tool you need to create crisp, impactful photos – your smartphone.&nbsp;iPhone photography teacher Linda Holt says it’s easy to take sharp photos that sell using just your phone – and emphasises how important high-quality photography can be. “If you are selling a product on your website or social media and don’t have a good product photo, you’re not going to sell it, that’s the bottom line.”&nbsp;Here’s how to turn your smartphone into a power selling machine.<h2>Invest in the best smartphone photo set-up</h2>The phoneNot all iPhones are created equal. Only the models produced from iPhone 6 onwards have 12-megapixel cameras, which gives them the capacity and functionality to take crisp, sharp photos.However, the latest models – iPhone 13 Pro and iPhone Pro Max – are the best because Apple focused on improving camera quality in the 13 series, which captures 47 per cent more light, and includes a sensor-shift optical image stabilisation that keep shots steadier (read: less blurry).If you own an older iPhone, you may want to invest in a clip-on lens (see below).The tripod&nbsp;While a smartphone is your main piece of equipment, it’s worthwhile investing in a tripod.

“A tripod will ensure you get a really steady photo,” explains Holt. “Putting your phone on a tripod and then setting the camera timer to create optimal exposure is the best way to get a crystal-clear image, because even if you think your hand is steady, nobody's hand is as steady as a tripod.”&nbsp;A clip-on<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Xenvo-iPhone-Camera-Lens-Clip/dp/B01A6D2JVI/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"> lens</a><a href="https://www.digitalcameraworld.com/au/buying-guides/best-add-on-lenses-for-iphone-and-android-phones" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(17, 85, 204);">A clip-on lens or full clip-on lens kit</a> can improve your product photography, particularly if you have an older model iPhone (it’s probably a cheaper option than investing in a new iPhone).&nbsp;Clip-on lenses have<a href="https://expertphotography.com/macro-lens-still-life-photography/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"> </a><a href="https://expertphotography.com/macro-lens-still-life-photography/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(17, 85, 204);">macro capabilities</a> that capture more details with precision focus, delivering higher-quality results. In other words? Your photos will be as crisp as possible.&nbsp;When using a clip-on lens, ensure it isn’t covering any part of the iPhone camera and that portrait mode is off as you want to focus out of one phone lens.&nbsp;<h2>DIY smartphone photography studio set-up</h2>Get the light rightNo product photography guide – whether for smartphone photography or DSLR photography – would be complete without advice on lighting.Always opt for natural lighting, if possible. For example, try photographing a product near a window, and ideally on a cloudy day. “On a super sunny day, you’re going to get hard light,” says Holt, and this can lead to shadows.Whenever you shoot with natural light, you will need to ‘balance’ it, which means ensuring that your product is evenly lit and doesn’t cast shadows.

There are lots of ways to balance light. One option is to buy a piece of white foam board and prop it up to reflect the light source. If you’re shooting near a window, award-winning smartphone photographer Dina Alfasi suggests hanging a thin curtain to soften the light. Another – more expensive - approach is to invest in studio lighting.Try a softboxLooking to photograph e-commerce products against white background? Try a lightbox or softbox, which is a white encased box with built-in lighting. Simply place your products inside and photograph. The result is a shadow-free product shot. Softboxes or lightboxes are especially useful for shooting products with shiny or reflective surfaces.Don’t shoot ‘backlit’&nbsp;“Don’t ever try to shoot a product backlit – [by which I mean] with a window behind a product,” says Holt.&nbsp;Back-lighting will overexpose your product and likely cause unwanted shadows. Instead, “set up [your shot] where you have a big window behind the you/ camera, facing onto the product – that is going to be A+,” says Holt.&nbsp;&nbsp;Clean your smartphone lensThis might seem obvious, but before you start shooting, ensure there are no smudges or scratches on your camera lens. Use a soft, lint-free cloth and avoid cleaning products.<h2>Using your smartphone to capture the shot</h2>Turn on iPhone grid linesFor a perfectly composed and straight shot that isn’t tilted, use the in‑camera grid feature on your iPhone. This feature allows you to match the centre of your product to grid lines on your phone. To enable the grid feature, simply go to Settings, Camera (or Photos &amp; Camera for earlier iPhones) and toggle the ‘Grid’ button.

Set your iPhone’s autofocusUse the auto exposure/ auto focus lock (AE/AF-L) to find the perfect focus and exposure. If you don’t set a focal point, the iPhone camera will automatically decide for you, and it might be slightly off the mark.&nbsp;To set the focus, simply tap the point on the screen that you would like to be the central focus of the image, and a yellow box with the outline of a sun will appear. Change the exposure (brightness) by moving your finger (and the sun) up or down.To lock your desired focus and exposure, hold down and the box will flash and the words ‘AE/AF LOCK’ will appear at the top of your screen.After you’ve locked it, you can continue to move your iPhone around, but the exposure and focus will be locked.Disable iPhone’s ‘Live’, flash, and night modes&nbsp;Skip the ‘Live’ photo feature, flash, and night modes when taking product photos as they can overexpose the photo and mess with the colours.&nbsp;The flash may wash out details, highlight reflections and flatten the appearance of your product. Avoid selfie mode, too; it distorts images and in older iPhone models the megapixels aren’t as high.&nbsp;&nbsp;Enable the timer&nbsp;Use the iPhone camera timer to generate the best possible exposure. Correct exposure is when each detail of your product is properly illuminated, and nothing is hidden in pixels that are too dark or too bright.&nbsp;To set the timer, tap the arrow at the top of your screen and select the timer icon at the bottom.&nbsp;You can choose three or 10 seconds, whichever is preferred. Take the photo as normal when you’re ready and a countdown will display on the screen before taking the image, leaving you with the sharpest photo possible.&nbsp;&nbsp;Snap away&nbsp;&nbsp;Don’t just take one or two photographs. Take as many shots as possible so you can choose the very best option. Professional photographers will frequently take hundreds – or even a thousand – photos during a full-day shoot. “Take lots of pictures, try new things, change angles. Check how the light falls on the photographed object,” says Alfasi.&nbsp;Don’t overdo ZoomWhile it may be tempting to use your smartphone's zoom feature to focus on a particular detail, this can lead to longer exposure and blurring. Instead, simply stand closer to the product. “People don’t get in close enough,” says Holt.

"People don’t get in close enough."

Try portrait mode&nbsp;Shooting in portrait mode creates sharper photos by slightly blurring the background so the subject is clear, but the background is not. It can be a great option to give your product depth or focus in on your product.&nbsp;All you have to do is simply swipe right to ‘Portrait’ mode in your iPhone camera and tap to focus in on your product. The yellow box outline with a sun will appear which you want to centre on your product. However, be careful that the edge of your product isn’t blurred.&nbsp;&nbsp;<h2>Editing your iPhone product photos</h2>Editing product phones is an important part of the photography process. However, Holt says that the biggest mistake that beginners make is over-editing. “They make it too saturated, too bright or it ends up just looking fake – you want your photo to match the product.”

"Too saturated or too bright makes it look fake – you want your photo to match the product."

How to choose a photo editing program<a href="https://lightroom.adobe.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent;">Adobe Lightroom&nbsp;</a>&nbsp;Best for: Image management and basic editingAdobe Lightroom is great for organising and managing photos and editing on your phone. (There is a classic version for desktop)Cost: £7.90 per month<a href="https://www.adobe.com/au/products/photoshop.html" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent;">Adobe Photoshop</a>Best for: Professional editing, retouching and photo manipulationThis is the program that many professional photographers use, and it’s easy to learn with the help of YouTube videos. Photoshop offers the opportunity to create layers, deep-etch (remove the background from photos) and more.Cost: From £16.70 per month&nbsp;<a href="https://camera.plus/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent;">Camera+</a>Best for: Anyone shooting exclusively on their iPhoneThis app is designed especially for iPhone users, and it offers many of the features of a desktop editing tool – including deep-etching – in an accessible way. It also has a range of filters, although these may not be relevant for product photography.Cost: £2.50 to download, plus in-app purchases<a href="https://snapseed.online/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent;">Snapseed</a>&nbsp;Best for: Those looking for a free but sophisticated editing appSnapseed is free, and yet offers a range of intuitive tools and features, from editing colour, contrast and exposure.&nbsp;Cost: Free<h2>How to edit iPhone product photos</h2>There are so many elements that can be edited in every product photo, but here are some key tips:&nbsp;Check exposure: are your photos too dark or too light? Changing the exposure or light levels can dramatically improve your product photo.Check the colour: Injecting some warmth into a photo or conversely making a photo cooler can improve the overall colour and professionalism of an image. It’s important to ensure that the colours in your photo match the colour of your product in real life.Adjust the contrast: Changing the contrast means making the bright elements in an image brighter, and the dark elements darker. Increasing the contrast can make the colours in a photo ‘pop’.&nbsp;Crop or straighten: There’s nothing less professional than a wonky photo, but straighten tools can fix this. Cropping a photo can also improve the overall effect.Don’t use smartphone filters&nbsp;Holt stresses, “Do not put a filter on your product photo – filters change the colour. You want a colour balanced image of your product that looks exactly like your product otherwise a customer is going to get it and be confused. Especially if it’s a colour-sensitive item like a scarf or a jumper – you want the colour to be true.”And the last tip? If you’re taking iPhone product photographs, practice makes perfect. Just have a go and give it your best shot.&nbsp;

All references to any registered trademarks are the property of their respective owners. Clearpay does not endorse or recommend any one particular supplier and the information provided is for educational purposes only.

Forget fancy camera equipment. Here's how to take top-quality product photos with your smartphone.

Forget fancy camera equipment. Discover how to take professional product photos with your smartphone.