1/14/2025

Improving Product Photography Without a Professional Photographer

If you’re diving into the world of e-commerce or blogging about the latest craft project, one of the BIGGEST hurdles you'll face is PRODUCT PHOTOGRAPHY. You might think you need a professional photographer waving around expensive gear, but I'm here to tell you that you can get AMAZING PRODUCT PHOTOS without breaking the bank or your spirit!

In this guide, I’ll share an assortment of tips, tricks & ideas to help you capture stunning product images that stand out. Let's jump in!

1. Set the Stage with Light

Good LIGHTING is the foundation of great photography. Bad lighting can ruin the most well-prepped product shots. Here’s how to USE LIGHT to your advantage:

Natural Light is Your Friend: Position your products near a window where they can bask in soft, diffused natural light. This is essential for vibrant colors, natural shadows, and true-to-life details. Remember, morning or late afternoon light is ideal for softer shadows!
Consider a DIY Lightbox: If you want to take your home studio to the next level, building a simple lightbox can be an affordable solution. You can make one for LESS THAN $10 using a cardboard box & some white tissue paper to diffuse the light. Tutorials abound online; check out this DIY lightbox guide.

2. Use the Right Background

The background of your pictures can elevate or completely distract from your products. Here are some creative ideas:

Solid Colors: A solid backdrop (white, black, or any neutral color) helps to focus on your product. Choose colors that complement your goods to draw attention! For example, vibrant items look amazing on muted backgrounds.
Textures: Experiment with textured backgrounds—think wood, marble, or fabric. It adds a layer of visual interest to your images. Not every product needs a plain white background, especially colorful or unique items!
Vinyl and Foam Board: Both are durable and come in various colors or textures—ideal for keeping your aesthetics fresh with minimal effort. Check out options for vinyl backdrops.

3. Master Your Camera Settings

Learning your CAMERA'S settings may sound intimidating, but doing so is beneficial when shooting product photos. Here are the essentials:

ISO, Aperture, & Shutter Speed

ISO: Always strive for the LOWEST ISO setting possible (around 100 for outdoor light). The lower the ISO, the less noise (graininess) in your photos.
Aperture (F-stop): Use a higher f-stop (like f/11 or f/16) to keep everything in focus, especially for smaller items. This guarantees sharp images across the entire product.
Shutter Speed: Keep your shutter speed steady, especially if using a tripod—a safe bet is around 1/60 or slower for low-light settings. For comprehensive details on these settings, look into this camera settings guide.

4. Experiment with Angles

When it comes to shooting product photos, you need to get creative with your angles. Here’s what to try:

Eye Level: This angle works great for most products, showing them off in their natural state.
High Angle: Shooting from above can give a fresh perspective—ideal for flat-lay photos where you arrange products on the surface.
Close-ups: Capture details! Show your customers texture, stitching, or fine details that they can’t see from a distance.
Line Up Your Shots: If you’re promoting multiple products, ensure each shot is framed consistently for a professional look.

5. Styling Your Product

Unleash your inner stylist! Here are some ideas for making your product photos POP:

Props that Tell a Story: Use relevant props to emphasize the lifestyle around your product. A cut of fabric beside a sewing kit can suggest a cozy DIY project.
Clean, De-Cluttered Look: Keep things concise and focused. Ensure there’s not too much ‘noise’ around your product.
Seasonal Touch: Integrate seasonal themes to keep your images fresh. For example, adding decorative pumpkins for fall or festive lights for the holidays.
Use Leaves or Flowers: Natural elements can add warmth and a touch of elegance to your product shots.

6. Take Advantage of Editing Tools

Once you’ve captured your photos, use editing apps to refine them. Popular apps like Lightroom or Snapseed can help you adjust lighting, remove blemishes, and enhance colors, making your product images even more appealing.

Use Presets: Many editing apps come with pre-established filters you can apply to your images for rapid enhancement.

7. Consider Editing Apps for Product Shots

Canva: A handy editing tool to crop or adjust your photos, but also for creating appealing graphics for marketing those photos!
Pixelz: If you’re feeling overwhelmed, you might consider hiring professionals to edit your images. Services like Pixelz ensure your images come out perfectly retouched without breaking the bank!

8. Capture Without Fear

Don’t hesitate to take LOTS of photos—experimenting is part of the fun! Take multiple shots with slight variances in light, angle, and settings. You’ll be surprised which ones turn out great.

9. Promotion for Your Brand

Separating your unique brand voice with strong visuals is essential. To boost your online presence, consider using Arsturn. With Arsturn's AI Chatbot, you can enhance engagement by providing personalized customer support to your audience, allowing them to ask questions about your products or photography techniques anytime! It’s beneficial for connecting and converting viewers.

Conclusion

Improving your product photography doesn’t have to break the bank or entail hiring a professional. With a good understanding of lighting, camera settings, angles, and a dash of creativity, you can create striking images that truly reflect your products' uniqueness. So grab that camera, start shooting, and watch your online shop flourish!

Happy clicking!