5 Easy Ways You Can Take Awesome Product Photos With Stuff You Already Have

Did you know 93% of shoppers make a purchasing decision based on visual information? Yes 93%, that's not a typo. What does that mean to you as a seller? Well it means the value of your products is directly impacted by your product photos. Here are some vital facts that might persuade you:

1. Visual content is more than 40 times likely to get shared across social media than other content (1).
2. 22% of product returns are because "the item looked different than the photo" (1).

So what do you do? The good news is that you don't need to buy a fancy DSLR, pricey accessories, or turn your room into a photo studio. Here are five ways you can use your existing stuff to take better photos. Being resourceful is the key to taking good product photos. Read on to see what you can do today to start taking better product photos. 

1. Use Natural Lighting

One of the simplest ways to have good lighting is by taking pictures of your product near a large window that allows ample light in your frame. Natural light is free and abundant which means you can always practice and try different angles. Take advantage of clouds since they help diffuse light and avoid the washed out look that bright sunlight brings. You can also consider taking pictures at dawn or dusk. 

2. Use a Backdrop Of Something You Already Have

Did you know 75% of product photos on Amazon have a white background? Want to have your pictures stand out? Try using a different color backdrop like red, green, orange, or blue. It's very easy to make a white backdrop using construction paper or even a white sheet or blanket. Simply hang the back drop behind the product or place the product in the middle of a blanket or sheet.

Here are some ideas:

1. Table tops or counter tops
2. Bed sheets
3. Brick backgrounds
4. Construction paper
5. White printer paper

LED Lightbox With 6 Backdrops

3. Creatively Stabilize Your Camera/Smartphone

Sometimes your immediate environment can be the best place to mount your camera or smartphone. Have a flat surface like a shelf? Well then you already have a place to put your camera or phone.

Most phones do come with some form of image stabilization but even the most steady hand can't replicate a stationary position.

4. Use the Correct Camera Settings

Almost every modern smartphone has certain camera settings you should be aware of. Here are several settings you should definitely do:

• Use Portrait Mode
• Turn Camera Flash Off
• No zooming in!  (Put the camera closer to the subject!)

5. Find a Way to Create Soft Light

Good product photos avoid harsh shadows and reflections. Professional photographers often rely on lighting modifiers that can be quite expensive. If you are DIY minded you could use something like a dome light that spreads the light without a hot spot in the middle. This guide here: is very useful. In just a few minutes and with material you might already have around the house, you could develop a great lighting system.

References

• https://www.weebly.com/guides/product-photography-guide/how-important-is-product-photography
• https://www.shopify.com/blog/15163633-how-to-capture-high-quality-product-photos-with-your-smartphone
• https://www.canva.com/learn/beginners-guide-natural-light-use-take-great-photos/
• https://www.diyphotography.net/how-to-make-a-diy-softbox-for-almost-0/
• https://www.instructables.com/id/DIY-Soft-Box-for-Almost-Free/
• https://www.diyphotography.net/use-soft-light-portraits-make/