1. Light: soft and from the side
Place the product near a large window, but out of direct sun. Soft side light shows texture without harsh shadows. Turn off ceiling lights — mixing light colours makes whites look yellow or blue. A sheet of white paper on the opposite side bounces light into the shadows.
2. Background and setup
A plain surface helps your phone focus and makes cut-outs cleaner. A large sheet of paper curved from the table up the wall (a “sweep”) removes the horizon line. It does not need to be perfectly white: you can make it pure white afterwards.
3. Camera settings and angles
- Use the main (1×) lens and avoid digital zoom; step closer instead.
- Tap to focus on the product and lower exposure slightly if whites look blown out.
- Shoot the same set of angles for every product: front, 45°, back, details and one in-use photo.
- Keep the phone steady — lean on something or use a cheap tripod.
4. Consistent editing
Consistency makes a shop look professional. In the product photo studio every image gets the same square format, margin, white background and soft ground shadow, so the whole catalogue matches. “Download variants” also creates social-media versions automatically.
Most marketplaces recommend images at least 1000 px on the longer side so shoppers can zoom; check the exact rules of your platform and use resize image if you need specific dimensions.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a light box?
No. A window and a white sheet of paper give similar results for small products. A light box only helps when you shoot many products in the evening.
How do I photograph shiny or white products?
Use diffused light (a thin curtain or baking paper over the window) and a light-grey background so white edges stay visible.