How to Take Great Product Photos (with a phone!)
1. Natural Light is Your Best Friend
Good lighting makes all the difference.
Shoot near a window or outside in the shade for soft, even light.
Avoid direct sunlight—it causes harsh shadows and blown-out highlights.
Turn off overhead indoor lights to prevent color imbalance.
Pro Tip: Golden hour (early morning or late afternoon) = magic.
2. Clean and Simple Backgrounds
You want your product to be the focus.
Use a plain wall, poster board, cutting board, or clean tabletop.
Neutral colors (white, gray, wood) keep things clean and professional.
If outdoors, pick a minimal backdrop like grass, wood, or fabric.
3. Use Gridlines + Straighten Your Shot
Turn on your camera’s gridlines in settings to help line up your shot.
Keep your product centered or follow the Rule of Thirds for visual interest.
Take a second to level your phone — crooked photos can look unpolished.
4. Focus & Tap to Expose
Tap on the product to lock focus and adjust brightness.
On most phones, tapping the screen will auto-focus.
You can usually drag your finger up/down to make the shot lighter or darker.
5. Shoot Multiple Angles
Get options! Capture:
A flat lay (from above)
Eye-level (straight-on)
Close-up details (texture, packaging, label)
Lifestyle or in-use shots (like someone holding your product)
6. Use Portrait Mode (Sparingly)
If your phone has Portrait Mode, try it to get that nice blurred background. Just make sure the product stays crisp and in focus.
7. Edit, But Don’t Overdo It
Basic editing can enhance your photo without making it look fake.
Try free apps like:
Snapseed (Google)
Lightroom Mobile (Adobe)
VSCO or Canva for simple filters and adjustments
Adjust:
Brightness
Contrast
Sharpness
Crop and straighten
8. Stay Consistent with Style
Choose 1–2 backgrounds, 1 type of lighting, and a few angles to use across your product photos. This keeps your feed and website looking cohesive.
Bonus Tips for South Central Market Vendors:
✅ Add your market booth in the background for authenticity
✅ Include your hands or packaging to give scale
✅ Use photos to tell a story — farm-to-table, handmade, small-batch, etc.
📱 Remember: Done is better than perfect. Start with what you’ve got and improve over time. The more you shoot, the better your eye will get.
