Whether you’re selling cookbooks, art prints, jewelry, stationery, or handmade home goods, high-quality product photography can turn your creations into a memorable brand experience and drive those all-important sales. 

We know you care deeply about your creative brand. You’ve worked hard to design beautiful products, and you want to present them in a way that feels authentic, polished, and unmistakably you. The good news? You don’t need a professional studio or expensive gear to get professional-looking results.

In this guide, we’ll share practical, approachable product photography tips to help you feel confident behind the camera, whether you’re preparing for a big sale, building a gift guide, or refreshing your online store. 

By the end, you’ll know exactly how to take great product photos that stop shoppers mid-scroll and inspire them to click “add to cart.”

The power of great product photography

So, what is product photography, and why does it matter for your brand? Simply put, it’s the art of capturing your products in ways that showcase their quality, style, and story. It helps you stand out from the ever-growing crowd.  

We live in a visual-first shopping world. Whether someone discovers you on Instagram, browses your Etsy shop, or flips through a beautifully printed product catalog, your product photos are often the very first connection they have with your brand.

In that moment, the right image can do more than showcase your product—it can spark curiosity, inspire trust, and make your work feel instantly worth owning. Great product photography elevates your perceived value, communicates your creative vision, and sets you apart from the competition.

During high-traffic shopping moments like Black Friday and Cyber Monday, when customers are skimming through endless options, it’s your imagery that can turn viewers into buyers.

And the magic doesn’t stop online. The same compelling photography fuels seasonal gift guides, printed product catalogs, and direct mail campaigns, giving your audience a consistent, polished, and memorable brand experience at every touchpoint.

Tools to make your product photography pop

You don’t need a fancy studio or shelves of gear to learn how to take great product photos. The real magic comes down to three things: good lighting, a steady setup, and a backdrop that lets your product shine. 

Camera: A DSLR with a variety of lenses is fantastic if you have one, but don’t underestimate your smartphone. Today’s high-resolution cameras can capture stunning detail if you know how to work with light. Check out our tips to take better photos with your phone. 

Tripod: Think of it as your secret weapon for sharp, consistent shots—no shaky hands, no blur, just beautifully crisp images every time. If you don’t have one, don’t panic—a steady surface will do the trick. 

Lighting: This is where your photos go from good to great.

• Natural window light is your most affordable, most flattering option.
• Use simple reflectors (white foam board, foil, or even a plain sheet) to soften shadows and brighten details.
• If you’re ready to invest, a softbox or light tent gives you complete control over a consistent, diffused glow.

Backgrounds: Keep it clean and brand-aligned. White boards, seamless paper sweeps, or textured surfaces can all work beautifully, just make sure nothing distracts from your product.

Props: Choose them with intention. A few contextually relevant details can tell a story without stealing the spotlight. For example, fresh herbs for a cookbook shoot, or a well-placed pen for a notebook launch.

Lighting: Your make-or-break factor

Lighting isn’t just a technical detail—it’s the mood, texture, and personality of your photos. Get it right, and even the simplest setup can feel premium.

• Start with natural light: Set up near a large window for that soft, even glow. Avoid harsh midday sun, which can cast hard shadows, and skip mixing light sources (like overhead bulbs with daylight) to keep colors accurate.
• Shape your light: Use a reflector to bounce light into darker areas and lift shadows. Foam board, aluminum foil, or even a white sheet can do the trick.
• Upgrade when you’re ready: A softbox or light tent is a great investment for product shoots that need consistency, day or night. They diffuse light beautifully and make every surface look its best.
• Experiment with distance and angles: Move your light source closer for softer shadows, or pull it back for more drama and contrast. Minor adjustments can completely change how your product feels.

Go deeper: Think of lighting as part of your brand language—bright and clean for a fresh, modern look, warm and golden for a cozy, handcrafted feel. Need ideas? Take a look at our photography lighting techniques guide.

Prep: Before you get started

Great product photography is planned, not improvised. A bit of prep saves time, keeps your visuals consistent, and makes your brand look polished everywhere your products appear.

Think about where your images will live

Decide early where your images will live so you can also plan how to style product photos to fit each platform. Website hero shots may be wide and minimal, while Instagram thrives on bold squares. Marketplaces like Etsy often require white backgrounds, while print catalogs might have bold color backgrounds with space for text. Decide early on the end plan so you can style and frame accordingly.

Create a shot list

Your checklist for a smooth, all-encompassing shoot:

• Hero shots: scroll-stopping main images
• Multiple angles: eye-level, high, low, bird’s-eye
• Close-ups: show textures, finishes, craftsmanship
• Lifestyle shots: in-use or styled in context
• Group shots: bundles, sets, or full collections
• Seasonal variations: props or backgrounds for holidays, still on-brand

Plan props and backgrounds

When thinking about how to stage products for photos, props should support the story, not compete with the product. Keep backgrounds simple and consistent. Think seamless paper, textured linen, or reclaimed wood for a recognizable brand style. 

Then play around with props to have fun and redirect focus back on your product. Try to make your audience imagine what their life could look like with your product, like a beautifully set breakfast scene featuring your pottery or a group of friends giggling around your illustrated deck of cards.

Pro tip: Sketch your frames or make a quick mood board to keep your shoot focused and on-brand.

Technical details: what to consider

If your product photos will appear online and in print, knowing how to take great product photos for each format will ensure crisp, compelling images everywhere. The right tweaks to file size, resolution, and composition can mean the difference between a crisp, compelling image and one that falls flat.

File size and resolution

• For web: Optimize for speed without losing clarity. Use 72 ppi and save as compressed JPEG or PNG files so your pages load quickly and customers stay engaged.
• For print: Go high-resolution at 300 DPI (minimum)for sharp, professional quality that stands up to close inspection. Whether it’s a glossy holiday catalog or a direct mail postcard, detail matters, and pixelation won’t do.

Color consistency

• Calibrate your monitor: Colors on-screen can differ from how they appear in print. Calibration is the secret ingredient that aligns what you see on-screen with the final product, whether it’s a digital file or a page in a catalog. Follow our step-by-step guide for fine-tuning your color management process.
• Test small proof runs: Print a single copy to check the final product before committing to full print orders to avoid surprises with color or detail.

Image composition

• For print: Pay attention to your safe zones and crop marks, especially for full-bleed designs. Remember that printers need a little extra space for trimming, so keep key elements away from the very edges.
• For web: Focus on clean, flexible framing that works across devices, from a widescreen laptop to a mobile phone feed. Think about how your product will look when cropped for thumbnails, banners, and social media previews.

Set up your space

The proper setup can make even the simplest product shot look polished and professional. By controlling light, background, and composition, you’ll understand how to shoot product photography that feels intentional and on-brand—even without a full studio.

Choose the right location

Aim for a spot inside near a large window with plenty of natural light. A garage with the door open is another great option—it lets in diffused daylight while reducing glare from glass panes.

Experiment with angles

Position your surface at different angles to the window and see how the light changes. The closer your product is to the light source, the softer the shadows will be. Move it further away for a bit more contrast and depth.

Control your lighting environment

Turn off all other light sources (especially overhead lights) to avoid unwanted color casts or mixed lighting that can throw off your white balance.

Create a seamless background

Use a sweep (a curved backdrop) so your background flows smoothly from vertical to horizontal with no visible seams. White paper or fabric works beautifully. If needed, prop it up with a stack of books or a box to keep it in place.

Prep your product

A spotless product makes for a spotless photo. Wipe away dust, fingerprints, and labels. For clothing, smooth out creases or steam if needed.

Place props with intention

If you’re using props, position them so they enhance the story of your product rather than distract from it. Keep your hero product centered on the flat portion of your sweep.

Fill in shadows
A reflector card (even a sheet of white foam board or foil) can bounce light back onto your product, brightening shadowed areas and highlighting texture. Adjust its position until you achieve the balance you want.

Dial in your camera settings

If you’re comfortable switching off auto-mode, here are a few simple settings that work well for product photos.

• Shutter speed: Keep it at 1/60 second or faster to avoid blur if you’re hand-holding. If you’re using a tripod, you can go slower for brighter exposures.
• Aperture (f-stop): Aim for around f/8–f/11 to keep your entire product sharp. Use a wider aperture (like f/2.8) only if you want a blurred background for a styled, artistic look.
• ISO: Start at 100–200 for the cleanest image. Only raise it if your photo is too dark, and increase gradually, as a high ISO can add grain.

Pro tip: Try taking multiple exposures of the same shot and blending them together in editing for the best possible lighting and detail.

Or dial in your smartphone settings

If camera settings feel overwhelming, don’t worry, modern smartphones and cameras in auto mode can still give you great results. Just focus on good lighting and a steady setup.

• Clean your lens: A quick wipe makes a big difference in sharpness.
• Tap to focus: Tap your product on the screen so your camera locks focus where it matters most.
• Adjust exposure: After tapping, slide your finger up or down to make the image brighter or darker until it looks natural.
• Hold steady: Rest your phone on a tripod, a stack of books, or any solid surface to avoid blur.
• Turn off the flash: Natural light looks cleaner and avoids harsh glare.
• Keep colors accurate: If your phone has a “white balance” or “daylight” setting, use it to keep colors consistent.

Pro tip: Many phones have a pro or manual mode. If you want to experiment, try lowering the ISO for sharper images and using a slight exposure adjustment instead of relying on filters.

Take it to the next level with product and brand storytelling

Great product photography goes beyond simply showing what you sell. It tells a story, sparks emotion, and helps customers picture your product in their lives. Whether you’re building a holiday gift guide, seasonal catalog, or social media campaign, the right mix of imagery can transform your brand presence.

Mix up your shots
A healthy balance of plain product shots and styled lifestyle photos gives customers both clarity and inspiration.

• Plain product shots: Clean, distraction-free images that show your product clearly and accurately. Perfect for online marketplaces and product listings.
• Lifestyle or context shots: Styled images that show your product in use or in a setting that reflects your brand’s personality. These help customers imagine ownership and create an emotional connection.

Show every angle
Capture your product from multiple perspectives—eye level, high angle, low angle, and even bird’s-eye view—so buyers feel confident they know exactly what they’re getting.

Think in sets and collections
Group complementary products together in one image. Not only does this inspire customers with styling ideas, but it’s also a subtle upselling tool. Show variations side by side, or present a full product line as a cohesive set.

Keep it consistent
Brand trust comes from familiarity. Use consistent backgrounds, lighting, and prop styles across all platforms—whether customers are browsing your website, flipping through your printed catalog, or scrolling your Instagram feed.

Add subtle brand touches
Small, consistent details—like your signature background color, a recognizable prop, or a specific lighting mood—help customers recognize your brand instantly without overpowering the product itself.

Seasonal styling without losing your identity
It’s great to tap into seasonal energy (festive greens for the holidays, airy pastels for spring), but keep your core aesthetic front and center. It makes sure your visuals stay fresh without losing your signature touch.

Pro tip: Before shooting, think about the story each image will tell. Is it about craftsmanship? Everyday utility? Luxury and indulgence? Let that story guide your styling choices.

How to take product photos

Once your setup is ready, it’s time to start taking your photos. Remember, the goal is to create a complete collection of images that bring your product to life and help customers picture how it fits into their lives. Think of it as building a tool-kit of images: clean, product-only shots for clarity, detailed close-ups to showcase unique value, and lifestyle shots to inspire. Together, these images tell the full story of your product. 

Sticking to a structured workflow will help you stay organized and ensure you don’t miss any important shots. 

Product photography workflow

• Step 1: Start by capturing your hero image with your product front and center against a clean background. This feature photo should be easy to take in with a quick glance.
• Step 2: Rotate your product and capture it from every side, including at 45-degree angles. These images will provide shoppers with a full view of your product. 
• Step 3: Take close-up shots of key details. Zoom in on fastenings, information labels, textures, and any other unique features. 
• Step 4: Now it’s time to capture lifestyle or context shots. Arrange your chosen props, swap out your backgrounds, or position your models, depending on how you’re choosing to style these images. 
• Step 5: Review and refine the shots you’ve taken on a large screen. Try to do this before packing up, so that you can quickly retake any that didn’t quite hit the mark.

Pro tip: Don’t crop too tightly in with your camera. Leaving a little background space around your product will make editing easier later on. 

Tips for photographing reflective or tricky items

Shiny, glossy, or transparent products, like jewelry, glassware, or ceramics, can look stunning in photos, but they also come with extra challenges. Here’s how to capture them beautifully.

• Diffuse your lighting: Placing your product in a lightbox will help reduce shadows and reflections, but if you don’t have one, you can achieve a similar effect with sheer fabric or baking paper.  Simply position the material between your light source and product, keeping it closer to the light source for maximum diffusion. 
• Watch your own reflection: Glossy surfaces can accidentally capture you, your camera, or the room. Adjust your angles until the product is the star.
• Show the details: Use a macro setting or lens to get close and reveal texture, sparkle, and craftsmanship. This is especially important for fine jewelry.
• Polish before you shoot: Reflective surfaces show every speck of dust and fingerprint. A quick clean makes a big difference.
• Keep backgrounds simple: Neutral or plain backdrops help your product stand out without distraction.

Pro tip: A polarizing filter can reduce glare and deepen colors, giving reflective items extra richness and clarity.

Tips for photographing books, stationery, and paper products

Printed pieces have a tactile quality that’s hard to convey in pixels, but the right photography can make viewers almost feel the paper in their hands.

• Show the texture: Capture close-ups of paper grain, letterpress impressions, embossing, or foil details so customers can appreciate the craftsmanship.
• Master the flat lay: Overhead shots are ideal for covers, open spreads, greeting cards, or grouped stationery sets. Keep lines straight and compositions clean.
• Watch your angles: For books, photograph the cover, spine, and interior pages if they feature standout design or imagery.
• Tell a brand story: Use minimal, relevant props—pens with notebooks, reading glasses with a novel, or envelopes with letterhead—so the scene feels natural and on-brand.
• Give size perspective: Include objects that hint at scale, especially for small prints or pocket notebooks, so buyers know exactly what to expect.

Pro tip: Natural side lighting works wonders for paper. —Iit reveals subtle shadows and textures without washing out detail.

How to edit product photos

Editing is where your product photos really come to life. Learning how to edit photos for product photography means knowing how to remove background distractions, soften shadows, adjust brightness, and enhance color so your products look polished and professional. Remember, subtle tweaks go a long way.

Follow our checklist below to streamline your editing workflow and achieve a consistent finish across all your images.

• Cull your photos. Only take your best shots into your editing workflow.
• Check the white balance. Are your color tones too warm or too cool? Make adjustments as needed to achieve a true color match to your product.
• Tweak highlights and shadows. Ensure no important details are lost in the brightest and darkest areas of each photo.
• Adjust exposure and contrast. This sets the overall brightness and pop of your image. 
• Sharpen edges (slightly). Small edits here can enhance clarity without creating harsh edges or artifacts.
• Remove imperfections. Edit out any specks of dust, smudges, or blemishes.

For more of a deep dive and step-by-step recommendations, check out Dan Milnor’s image quality checklist and our full guide to the best photo editing software to use.

Pro tip: Once you’ve perfected your edits, you can easily bring your images into a layout for print or digital use. Tools like Blurb Presets for Adobe Photoshop Lightroom Classic let you export your photos directly into print-ready book templates, and Blurb BookWright makes one-click retouching simple if you want an extra hand with polish without interrupting your bookmaking flow. 

Product photography FAQs 

How do you avoid reflection in product photography?
Reflections happen when your light bounces straight back into the camera. To avoid them, diffuse your lighting with a softbox, light tent, or even a sheet of tracing paper. Adjust your shooting angle so you’re not directly facing the reflective surface. Remember to always check for your reflection in the product.

Are ring lights good for product photography?
Ring lights can work for small products, beauty items, or anything shot head-on, but they’re not always the most versatile choice. For more natural results, try softbox lighting or natural daylight from a window. If you want to experiment, position the ring light slightly off-center to avoid flat, shadowless shots. And use them with caution for reflective or shiny products, as the ring reflection can be distracting.

How do you create hard shadows in product photography?
For dramatic, high-contrast images, skip the diffusion. Use a single, direct light source, like a bare bulb or desk lamp, placed at an angle to your product. This is especially effective for bold editorial looks or stylized brand campaigns.

How do you reduce glare in product photography?
Glare can be reduced by changing your light’s angle, softening it with diffusion, or using a polarizing filter on your camera lens. For glossy or metallic items, a light tent can give you even, glare-free results.

How do you get a perfect white background for product photography?
Use a sweep (seamless curved backdrop) in bright white, evenly lit from both sides. A simple whiteboard or sheet of white fabric are great DIY sweep options. Turn off overhead lights to avoid unwanted color casts, and tweak brightness and levels in post-production for a clean, crisp finish.

Turn your product photography into a brand asset

Great product photography is more than capturing beautiful images. It’s about creating a visual story and brand experience that sticks with your audience. When your photos are presented thoughtfully and consistently, they become storytelling tools that elevate your products and inspire action.

Looking to bring it all together? Our guide to creating a stunning product catalog offers practical inspiration for layout, styling, and presentation so your imagery shines on every page.

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Blurb is your self-publishing partner. Blurb’s easy-to-use book design tools and professional-quality printing, turning your product photography into books, magazines, and notebooks that elevate your brand and grow your business is simple. Create your free account and get started today.