A guide to getting product photography right

If you’re looking for the best way to show off your product, connect with customers and drive sales, captivating product photography is one of the best routes to go down. From lighting setups that put your product in the spotlight, to product placing that shows how your item can be used, the significance of sleek and stylish product photography cannot be overstated.

We spoke to the business owners behind Potsbyheather, Wildflower Botanicals and camera-master Oliver Howells to learn their tips and tricks for creating the perfect product photography set-up.

Browse our parcel sending options to get your newly-photographed products to their new homes as soon as you can ship them.

Product photography tips

• What equipment do I need for product photography?

• What props do I need?

• How to take professional product photography

• Helping your product photos work harder

What equipment do I need for product photography?

• A camera: You may want to think about investing in a camera for those product shots – although if you’re savvy with your iPhone, there’s nothing stopping you snapping and editing on your phone, too

• A tripod: The easiest way to ensure your camera or mobile remains stable is to use a tripod. Alternatively, you can DIY a tripod using a stack of books or other household items

• Ring lights or artificial light sources: If you’re fitting your small business around your 9-5, shooting in natural light might be easier said than done. If this is the case, a ring light or soft box light can help your product imagery pop

• A clean-coloured backdrop: To draw the eye to your products, you’ll need to find a plain backdrop. If you’re trying to save money, there are plenty of good options within the home such as a plain bedsheet

Heather, of Potsbyheather, shares how she creates a clean, calm background on a budget: “I use a white sheet draped over a propped-up photo frame to create a nice white background. It’s not the most professional setup but it does the job!”

• Reflectors: Reflectors can aid your lighting setup by reflecting light onto your product from a desired angle or direction. They are often inexpensive, and can result in well-lit and more appealing product photos

• Editing software: Whilst you can just use effects on your mobile phone to edit your photos, many people choose to use specialised software to help their images pop

What props do I need?

Using props within your photos can help give your products more context, as well as making sure they stand out from the crowd. Some props you might consider using include:

Scale indicators

Adding in props can be a great way to help potential buyers understand the size and scale of the product. Use a common household item like a book, mug or coaster to demonstrate how big your products are – this kind of photo could be the deciding factor for potential customers looking for the perfect fit from their home.

Lifestyle props

Some props can be used to showcase how your product is used in real-life situations. For example, if you’re selling handmade vases, you may want to think about filling your shoot products with an aesthetically pleasing bouquet of flowers, along with an image of filling the vase with water to show that it’s leak-proof.

Anna Edds from Wildflower Botanicals suggests matching your product to its environment for the best results. “Whenever possible, consider capturing lifestyle shots that show your product in a real-life setting. This can help potential buyers envision how it would look and feel in their own space.”

Background props

Props serve as a fun, artistic addition to your imagery, without overshadowing your product. If you’re planning on selling Christmas baubles, you could place fairy lights, tinsel or a Christmas tree in the background for a festive feel. To add further interest, use soft materials to create texture and depth within the frame.

How to take professional-looking product photography

Step 1. Choose your shooting area

Once you've chosen your equipment and props, choose an area to shoot in. Think about spaces that get a lot of light, and how many products you’ll be snapping. Try to avoid any clutter or shadows that will take focus away from your products.

Step 2. Style your product photography set up

Make sure your backdrop’s in pristine condition before arranging any accompanying props to enhance the photo. Don’t be afraid to experiment during this step - let your creativity take the lead! Oliver Howells advises: “I always try to find connections with the name or the elements of the product with different props. If you had a perfume product that was a strong floral scent, then you can use the flowers and ingredients used in the bottle for the photoshoot, so that the final image brings the perfume scent to life.”

Step 3. Position your lighting equipment

For the most professional-looking product photos, natural light, ring lights and soft box lighting can be combined to showcase your product from all angles.

If you’re working with a lower-budget setup, however, natural light is your best bet. Try setting up outside to capture your products in their best light: natural light can be particularly effective on a cloudy day as clouds diffuse light, giving you less harsh shadows to work with. If you’re shooting inside, choose a bright room, earlier in the day, so you avoid any contrasts or shadows as the sun gets lower.

Step 4. Adjust your camera settings

Make sure your product is fully in focus, so potential customers can see exactly what they’re purchasing. From there you can adjust the ISO (higher if you’re shooting in lower light, or lower if the existing light is bright), and amend the shutter speed (lower to brighten images, higher if photos are looking overexposed). If you’re not comfortable with manual settings, try pre-existing settings on your camera and see if they help improve results.

Step 5. Set up the shot

Arranging your product can take a little trial and error, but most successful product photography uses the rule of thirds, which divides your image into nine sections. Keep your product directly in the centre section to draw the eye, and make sure it’s the main focus.

Make sure you also leave space for potential cropping: you don’t want to take the perfect photo, only for it to be cropped once you upload it.

Step 6. Practice makes perfect

Taking test shots is an essential part of the product photography process. These images allow you to evaluate your lighting, composition, and camera settings, ensuring that your final product photos meet your quality standards. You can then make any necessary adjustments, fine-tuning your setup before capturing the final, polished images of your product.

Step 7. Capture all the angles

Capturing different photo variations is essential for showcasing your product. Experiment with various angles, perspectives, and compositions to highlight different features and benefits, giving your potential customers a more well-rounded view of your product. The more information they have, the more likely they are to buy from you.

Step 8. Settle down to review

Editing your photos is a vital step in the post-production process. You can use a variety of editing software and apps to ensure your product appears at its best.

Heather, of Potsbyheather, advises playing with colour and contrast to give your photos that polished look: “Make sure you edit the colour of your photos to bring the pictures to life. Ensure you turn the brightness up to make them look really professional and eye catching.”

Step 9. It's time to go live

Once you feel you have the best product photos, you can upload them to your chosen selling site. Think about how many photos you want to upload and whether they capture all the necessary angles and features of your products: there’s no harm in uploading multiple images that really show off your designs.

Helping your product photos work harder

Great product photography is just one piece of the puzzle when it comes to selling your stuff. Once you’ve uploaded your images, help them get in front of the right audience with a detailed product description and relevant filters, whether your platform of choice is Vinted or Etsy.

Mastering the art of product photography combines creativity, technical skill, and attention to detail. With the right equipment, setup, and post-production techniques, you can elevate your product images to a professional standard that will help drive some serious sales. If you’re feeling inspired to start snapping, browse trending products to sell online to get your shop started.