How to take good product photos at home
Taking good product photos is important. But for many of us isn’t so easy. And hiring a professional service is often out of budget when our businesses are just starting. Read along for some tips that will take you from an amateur to a great product photographer for your own business.
First, a little about me and my experience with product photography
Before diving deep into the world of gardening and herbalism I used to work in media. I have a degree in graphic design, a Bachelor’s in film production and a Master’s in corporate communications. I worked in the film industry and at marketing and design agencies before quitting to take on entrepreneurship full time. I’ve been working as a family photographer for 10 years and running this little space of nature and healing called Growing Up Rooted for the last two and half years. So needless to say, creating content like videos and photos is something that might feel easier and more fun to me, than to other entrepreneurs.
This is why I’m writing this article. Because with some basic ideas clear and a few tools, you too can take photos at home that look clean, professional and beautiful.
Whether you're a small business owner, Etsy seller, or an artist wanting to showcase your creations. Here are some tips to help you take professional-looking product photos right from your own home.
1. Lighting is key
Make sure to have good lighting when taking your photos. Natural light is the best option, so try to shoot near a window or outside if possible. Keep track of when light is best in your designated photography spot and make it a habit to shoot at that time everytime so your photos have consisten lighting. This time and the quality of light might vary at different times of the year as the sun changes position, so that is something to notice.
I started taking photos with natural light at 2pm at a kitchen table beside a window when I started my business. But as winter came I realize the light was very different and made my new products look different than the rest. Wanting more control of the light, of my time, and also wanting to play with shadows on my products, I ended up buying an LED light to use instead.
If you want to buy a light, go for an LED light bulb that produces daylight color temperature (that is close to 6,000°K - 6,500°K color temperature). The one I use is a Neewer 5600K LED Light and I bought the package that comes with a stand and softbox. Depending on the look you want you might not need a softbox (makes light softer, more flattering for faces), but you will most likely want that stand for your light.
My current setup that’s easy to use and setup anytime I need a new photo or have a new idea.
2. Choose a simple background
A plain, neutral background will make your product stand out. A white or light-colored background is a popular choice as it provides a clean, professional look. My advice is that you choose a good background and stick to it so your products look consistent over time.
Since my products are small, I purchased a Double Sided Photo Backdrop Kit that gives me a clean look every time. It came with white, black and gray backdrops. Since I really only wanted white for the bottom and the wall side, I bought some white foam board as the additional white side and cut it to 24 inches to fit into my backdrop situation.
3. Stabilize your camera
Use a tripod or a stable surface to hold your camera so that your photos are sharp and in focus. This is specially important if your products are small and have details like labels on them. You want those details to be sharp and in focus so a tripod is very helpful.
I use this 76 inch Phopik Camera Tripod that came with an arm to take photos over head and a cell phone mount for whem I’m taking photos or videos with my iphone.
4. Pay attention to angles
Experiment with different angles to showcase your product in the best light. Try shooting from above, below, or at a slight angle and pay attention to when your products look distorted or not getting enough light at certain angles.
The first photo is taken by squatting down to capture the product from the front. The second photo was taken from a standing up position. See how the angle makes it hard to see the label and it isn’t as flattering. Although there’s something to say to being able to see the top label as well, but overall not a great product photo.
5. Edit your photos
Editing might feel overwhelming but you’ll most likely want to tweak the look of your photos so they are sharper, the blacks are stronger, or it’s brighter overal. Sometimes some color saturation helps your products look more vibrant too.
Make sure to not over-expose your photos because they’ll look burn and make it harder to see the details on your product.
Download editing software like Lightroom on your computer or for a simple version, on your phone. This software is also helpful if you want to remove any blemishes or distractions in the background.
I don’t have much personal experience with Canva. But I know many use it to make simple tweaks and for an easier, free alternative to more complicated design software.
The products I recommend
Here’s a brief summary of the products I recommend you getting if you’re taking product photography, plus the camera I use to shoot my product photos.
This article contains affiliate links to Amazon.
With these simple tips, you can take great product photos right from your own home. Just be creative and have fun, and soon you'll be able to showcase your products in a professional and eye-catching way.
