Beginners Guide to iPhone Product Photography

Visuals are pivotal to small business success in an increasingly online world. Luckily, capturing stunning product photos at home has never been easier.

In a world where attention spans are shortening, visuals are critical to business success. Very few scrollers will stop to read more than a sentence or two about your product. But they will look at a photo! Pictures can relay information to consumers in an instant. They can see product features, prices, and most importantly, consumers can see themselves owning the product. Great websites, social media accounts, and newsletters display striking visuals that draw consumers in and challenge them to purchase the product themselves. Luckily, it is not difficult to take dazzling photos that will leave customers begging for more. All that is needed is an iPhone.

Lighting

Lighting can turn a beautiful set-up into a shadowy mess or clean up a boring scene. There are two types of lighting: natural and artificial. Natural lighting refers to sunlight or moonlight and is also known as soft light. People look better when captured in natural lighting. Organic, aesthetic products are also appealing to consumers when shot in soft light. Shoot near a window for natural lighting. Alternatively, bring a camera and product outside in the morning or late afternoon to capture beautifully ambient scenes.

Candles, fire, and light bulbs all create artificial light. This type of lighting is excellent for technological or cleaning products. Artificial lighting is also known as hard lighting because it is powerful and easily disrupts a photo. To use hard lighting, position two lamps on either side of the product set-up to eliminate potential shadows. Diffuse the light from each lamp by taping a paper, parchment paper, or a pillowcase over the light source. Place something white surrounding the photo set up to maximize lighting as well. This diffusion and lack of shadows will create a beautifully balanced shot that draws focus toward the product. 

For any photo, make sure to pick one type of lighting. Natural light softens the image while artificial light sharpens it. Mixing the two can create different effects within the same photo, parts of it ambient and parts of it striking. 

Background and props

Studies reveal that consumers enjoy it when photos are aesthetically connected. Luckily it is simple to create lighting, edits, or backgrounds that complement other images. To create a seamless white background for a picture, use a roll of white paper. Tape the paper to the table, then roll it smoothly down the table and up the wall, ensuring no creases. This strategy creates a cheap DIY background for a product. Consider using natural landscapes or bookcases for easily available backgrounds. Purchasing a backdrop can be an excellent investment for businesses that rely on product photography, especially because they can cost less than $20! 

When choosing props, consider utilizing rocks, fabric, plants, wood, liquids, tile, or anything directly related to the product itself. For example, if the product is a smoothie, use fruit as props. 

When the holidays approach, make sure to shoot some festive photos, and consumers will be more likely to view the product as a potential gift. Whenever choosing props and backgrounds, make it believable. Will the consumer envision the product in their hands?

Angles

First and foremost, set up grid lines.

To set up grid lines on your iPhone:

  1. Click on the settings app
  2. Scroll down until you see "Camera."
  3. Click on it, and a variety of options will appear
  4. Find the option that says "Grid" and switch it on

Now, choose to comply or reject the rule of thirds. This long-standing photography method involves placing the subject in the left or right third of the picture. This method can create thought-provoking and stunning photos. If the rule of thirds does not suit a product, ensure it is centered using the gridlines. Whatever angle is chosen for the photo should highlight the product or its features. The best angle is usually found through trial and error, so don't be afraid to play with different possibilities. Some traditional product photography angles include the front, profile, back, top, and 45-degree angles. Once the angle is ready, position a tripod, table, or water bottle to keep the camera steady. Then snap the photo!

Editing

Background removal, color correction, and increased sharpness are just some of the tricks of Photoshop. To edit on an iPhone, go to photos, then click the edit button on the bottom menu. Adjust the saturation, brilliance, highlights, shadow, and more from here. Download an editing app for more options and auto-editing. 

Product photography is a unique and accessible tool to promote businesses. Try these tips, post the results on social media, and tag us!

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