{"id":1497,"date":"2023-10-17T00:00:00","date_gmt":"2023-10-17T00:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.simplybusiness.co.uk\/knowledge\/marketing\/product-photography-for-small-businesses\/"},"modified":"2025-06-09T10:05:14","modified_gmt":"2025-06-09T10:05:14","slug":"product-photography-for-small-businesses","status":"publish","type":"knowledge","link":"https:\/\/www.simplybusiness.co.uk\/knowledge\/marketing\/product-photography-for-small-businesses\/","title":{"rendered":"Product photography for small businesses \u2013 how to take better photos"},"content":{"rendered":"

When customers can\u2019t interact with your products in person, they can find it hard to visualise exactly what they\u2019ll be buying. That\u2019s why good product photography is an important part of running any online retail business.<\/p>\n\n

By putting additional effort into taking your product photography, you can help give potential customers a better idea of what your products are like. Not only that, but good photos can also help give your brand more credibility.<\/p>\n\n

Interested in developing your photography skills? Keep reading our guide to learn some top tips on how to make your product photography clearer, more exciting, and more professional.<\/p>\n\n

Still thinking about how to make a product<\/a> and get it to market? We have a guide for that too.<\/p>\n\n

What is product photography?<\/h2>\n\n

Product photography is using an image to sell a product. This can be anything from a model wearing clothes on a fashion website<\/a> to a picture of the homemade pasta sauce you sell. It\u2019s sometimes also known as commercial photography.<\/p>\n\n

The goal of these photos is to convince a potential customer to buy the product \u2013 that means you need to make sure it looks its best while also giving an accurate representation of what the product does.<\/p>\n\n

Your product photography will likely appear alongside a written description of the item on your company website<\/a> or your social media channels<\/a> and YouTube<\/a> channel. You\u2019ll also use Amazon product photography if you sell your products on Amazon<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n

While product photography is often mostly associated with ecommerce businesses, product photography can also be used in your small business to show services as well as goods. For example, if you run a small construction company or work as a freelance gardener<\/a>, taking your own product photography can be a great way to show the work you do \u2013 even if you\u2019re not using it to sell an actual product.<\/p>\n\n

6 top tips for your product photography<\/h2>\n\n

You don\u2019t need to be an expert photographer to take good product photography. Follow these six simple steps to take amazing photos for your small business.<\/p>\n\n

  1. Lighting is key<\/strong><\/a><\/li>\n\n
  2. Think about your background and composition<\/strong><\/a><\/li>\n\n
  3. Focus on the details<\/strong><\/a><\/li>\n\n
  4. Show your product in use<\/strong><\/a><\/li>\n\n
  5. Don\u2019t sleep on post-production<\/strong><\/a><\/li>\n\n
  6. Keep it consistent<\/strong><\/a><\/li>\n\n<\/ol>\n\n

    1. Lighting is key<\/h3>\n\n

    One of the most important things you need to consider when taking photos for your business is the lighting. Lighting can truly make or break your photos. Proper lighting can highlight all the details, textures, and colours of your products \u2013 as well as making your photos look more professional.<\/p>\n\n

    Make sure you avoid shadows which can cover important details of your products. Be conscious of where you take your photos to avoid this \u2013 think about where the sun is in the sky if you\u2019re using natural lighting or if anything around you is casting a shadow if shooting with indoor lighting.<\/p>\n\n

    Wherever possible, make sure you\u2019re using natural light to take your photos. Shoot close to a window but try to avoid direct sunlight as this is when shadows tend to appear. You may be surprised, but overcast days are often the best times to take your product photography.<\/p>\n\n

    If you can\u2019t use direct sunlight, you can manipulate your lighting in a variety of ways \u2013 often with things you already have around the home. White bed sheets and shower curtains can work as impromptu light diffusers to help soften intense light. Aluminium foil can also be used as a DIY reflector, which bounces light onto your product to reduce shadows.<\/p>\n\n

    It might take a bit of experimenting but with practice you\u2019ll find a method that works for you.<\/p>\n\n\n

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    2. Think about your background and composition<\/h3>\n\n

    The background of your photos can be just as important as the subject. When setting up different product photography shots, make sure you have a clean and uncluttered background.<\/p>\n\n

    Backgrounds are versatile. You can choose a simple white sheet or photo board \u2013 or go all out with complimentary patterns. Not only does this help your product to stand out but can also produce better photos, which can help create a professional look for your business.<\/p>\n\n

    As well as having a clean background, you can also play around with other objects in your photos \u2013 as long as you don\u2019t take the focus away from your product. One trick often used by photographers is \u2018the rule of three\u2019. Using two extra complimentary items can help guide the eye of the viewer to look at the main subject.<\/p>\n\n

    Experiment with different angles and compositions to find what works best for your business.<\/p>\n\n

    3. Focus on the details<\/h3>\n\n

    Every product has something that makes it special \u2013 so use your product photography to highlight this. Including close-up shots in your product photography can give your audience a better idea of what exactly they\u2019re buying.<\/p>\n\n

    Product photography ideas to show detail<\/h4>\n\n