Product Photography: How to Take the Best Product Pictures with Your Smartphone

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In the world of online businesses, striking product images play one of the biggest roles in capturing the attention of customers and driving sales. Seeing amazing pictures of products on your business website, for example, can make a customer buy even more than the items they initially planned to. Also, the chances that just one great image can bring you a customer are high, and this is why it is important to put extra effort into making sure that your product images are captivating.

Thankfully, you no longer need to be a professional photographer or spend a lot of money buying the right equipment, to get the cleanest pictures for your products. This is all thanks to great phone cameras.

With the right techniques and your trusty smartphone, you can create professional-looking product photos that showcase your offerings in the best light. In this article, we’ll cover:

1. The Importance of Good Product Images

2. 15 Tips & Tricks for Capturing Clean & Captivating Product Images on Your Phone

3. The Importance of Image Editing and Post-Processing

4. Free Image Editing Apps to Use

Let’s break down the processes of creating visually stunning product images that captivate your audience and elevate your business!

Related: The 5 Best Video Editing Apps for Small Businesses in 2023!

The Importance of Good Product Images for Your Business

When you take quality images and put in the effort to edit them to perfection, the impact they can have on your business is remarkable.

1. They attract customers and create a positive first impression: High-quality product photography grabs the attention of potential customers and makes them want to check out more items and generally explore further. They also create a professional and trustworthy impression, establishing credibility for your brand.

2. They boost the confidence of your customers: Clear, detailed, and visually appealing product images provide customers with a better understanding of what they can expect. They showcase the product's features, texture, and color accuracy, helping customers make informed purchasing decisions.

3. They increase visitors and conversions for your business: Did you know that some people follow a brand on social media simply because of their pictures? These people might not convert immediately, but eventually will. THAT IS THE POWER OF ONE GREAT, and other subsequent great images! High-quality images can influence customer emotions, eventually driving them towards making a purchase. They also showcase your offerings in the best possible light, conveying their value and desirability. Lastly, they can also help you grow your social media followers.

4. They help reduce product return rates: Accurate product photography sets realistic expectations, reducing the chances of customer dissatisfaction. By providing customers with a clear visual understanding of the product, returns due to miscommunication or disappointment are drastically reduced.

5. They help create brand differentiation: Memorable and visually appealing images help your brand stand out among competitors, leaving a lasting impression in customers' minds. They can immensely contribute to your brand recognition and brand loyalty over time.

6. They enhance your marketing efforts: Great images make your marketing materials, including your website, social media posts, and advertisements, more engaging and impactful.

15 Tips & Tricks for Capturing Clean & Captivating Product Images on Your Phone

Before you start taking pictures, you need to prepare for your photoshoot to ensure success. First of all, your products and space for taking pictures needs to be ready, and clean. You should also arrange your products thoughtfully, highlighting their features and creating visual appeal. How to take high-quality product photos with your smartphone? Here are 15 tricks and tips.

1. Clean your lens

Before starting, make sure the lens of your phone camera is clean. Use a microfiber cloth or a lens cleaning solution to remove any smudges or fingerprints.

2. Set up a clean background

Choose a simple and clutter-free background that won't distract from your product. You can use a solid-colored backdrop, a clean surface, or even a piece of white poster board.

3. Good lighting is key

Natural light is your best friend when it comes to product photography. Find a well-lit area near a window or shoot outdoors in soft, diffused light. Avoid harsh shadows by positioning your product appropriately.

4. Use a tripod or stabilise your phone

Steady shots are essential for crisp, clear images. Consider using a tripod or a phone mount to keep your phone steady during the photoshoot. If you don't have a tripod, you can prop your phone on a stable surface or use a self-timer feature to reduce camera shake.

5. Tap to focus

Most phone cameras allow you to tap on the screen to focus on a specific area or object. Tap on your product to ensure it's the main focus of the image. This will help achieve sharp details and clarity.

6. Experiment with angles and perspectives

Capture your product from different angles to showcase its features, textures, and dimensions. Try shooting from above (bird's-eye view) or at eye level for interesting perspectives.

7. Experiment with different backgrounds

While a clean background is often preferred, you can also try using textured surfaces, patterned fabrics, or relevant settings to add some visual interest to your product images. Just ensure the background doesn't overshadow or clash with your product.

8. Pay attention to reflections

Reflective surfaces can introduce unwanted reflections or glare in your product photos. Be aware of these reflections and adjust your shooting angle or position to minimize their impact.

9. Shoot in burst mode

If your phone has a burst mode feature, use it to capture a sequence of shots in quick succession. This can be particularly helpful if you have a fast-moving subject or want to capture a perfect mid-action shot.

10. Use props sparingly

Props can add context and interest to your product images, but be mindful not to overwhelm or distract from the main focus. Keep it simple and let your product take center stage.

11. Showcase the product functionality

If applicable, capture images that demonstrate the practical use or functionality of your product. This can help potential customers visualise how the product can benefit them.

12. Incorporate lifestyle or contextual shots

Alongside your standard product images, consider showcasing your product in a real-life context or in use. Lifestyle shots can help potential customers envision how the product fits into their own lives.

13. Test different apps and modes

Explore different camera apps and modes available on your phone to find the ones that work best for product photography. Some apps offer features like manual controls, timers, or even built-in presets for enhancing product images.

14. Edit for enhancement

Once you've taken your photos, use photo editing apps or software to enhance the images further. Adjust brightness, contrast, and saturation to make your product pop. Be careful not to over-edit, though, as it can make the images look unnatural. We’ll be sharing some helpful apps a little further in this article.

15. Practice and have fun

Practice makes perfect! Don't be afraid to experiment, learn from your shots, and improve your skills over time. Enjoy the process of capturing stunning product images and let your creativity shine!

The Importance of Image Editing and Post-Processing

Image Source: Nexcess

Image editing and post-processing play a crucial role in elevating the quality and impact of your photographs. They allow you to enhance your images and correct any imperfections. Through editing, you can adjust brightness, contrast, colors, and sharpness to create a visually appealing and consistent look. Post-processing also offers the opportunity to fine-tune composition, remove distractions, and apply creative effects.

Additionally, editing allows you to align your images with your brand's aesthetic or desired style. Here are a few handy tips to help with this process.

1. Adjust basic settings: Start by adjusting the basic settings of the image, such as brightness, contrast, saturation, and sharpness. These adjustments can dramatically improve the overall look and feel of your photo.

2. Crop and straighten: Use the cropping tool to improve composition or eliminate any unnecessary elements. Straighten the image if needed to ensure a level horizon or desired framing.

3. Enhance colors selectively: Use the selective editing tools available in your chosen app to enhance specific colors in your image. Boosting vibrancy or saturation in targeted areas can make your subject pop.

4. Experiment with filters and presets: Many editing apps provide filters or presets that can instantly change the mood or style of your image. Try different filters to see which one complements your photo best. Just remember to use them sparingly and make adjustments if necessary.

5. Remove blemishes or distractions: Utilise the healing or cloning tools to remove any unwanted blemishes, dust spots, or distracting elements from your image. This can help clean up the overall appearance and keep the focus on your subject.

6. Use vignettes and gradients: Adding subtle vignettes or gradients around the edges of your photo can help draw attention to the main subject or create a moodier atmosphere.

7. Save and preserve the original: Always save a copy of the original image before editing. This way, you can revert back to the original if needed or experiment with different editing approaches without losing the initial version.

8. Edit in moderation: While editing can enhance a photo, it's important to exercise moderation. Over-editing can make images appear unnatural or artificial. Aim for a balanced and refined look that still maintains the integrity of the original scene.

Free Image (Picture) Editing Apps for Easy Product Image Editing

Image Source: LinkedIn

Now, here’s a list of free image editing tools to help you achieve the best images for your products!

1. YouCam Perfect

2. Picsart

3. Adobe Photoshop Express Photo Editor

4. Canva

5. VSCO

6. Snapseed

7. Instasize

8. Adobe Lightroom

9. Afterlight

10. Photodirector

You can give any of these apps a try, and start getting those great images to grow your audience and turn them into paying customers!

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