How I Take Product Pictures & A Budget-Friendly Way to Make Your Own Photography Backdrops

I like to keep my product photography simple. It's my aesthetic, and I also don't have the lighting, cameras and props to do more than simple. So this blog post is about how I personally take pictures of my products.

I initially learned how to take product photos when I was preparing to publish my cookbook a couple years ago. Here are a few tips I learned along the way.

Photography "studio" and lighting

I have a rudimentary studio set up on a table that is next to a window. This gives me natural light, which is ideal for the types of products I make. Overcast days are best, as the light is more diffused. Bright sunlight can cast harsh shadows. To remedy this, you can hang a sheer curtain over the window to diffuse the light.

My studio can either be on the table, or raised up on a couple of crates. Placing it on the table allows for easy overhead shots, and raised up allows for easy shots more at eye level.

I bounce light or create a darker scene using foam board from the dollar store. I take two white or two black foam boards and tape them together to form an L-shape. I place this so that one side is opposite my light source, and the other is behind my products.

Photography backdrops and props

These can be helpful in creating an aesthetic and scene for your product. I invested in backdrops from Replica Surfaces (not sponsored), and Ink and Elm on Etsy (not sponsored), but you can also make your own.

I place a photography backdrop under my products, and sometimes behind my products (keeping the white or black foam board opposite the light source to balance and soften the light and shadows). The foam board itself can also act as a simple background for the products, just be sure it isn't damaged, because crinkles and pressure points from fingers will show in photos.

For props, I just find or make little things that would help a customer imagine how a product is used or bring the product to life, like soap dishes, pouf sponges, dried bundles of herbs, succulents or foliage. Little risers, soap dishes or anything that would create height is also helpful. Loose fabric that can act as draping towels help create a beautiful picture. Washcloths, towels, placemats...anything can act as a prop or accent to your scene. I also often take ingredients that are in a product and sprinkle them around the product, like in the foot soak pictured in this blog post.

Budget-friendly way to make your own backdrop

Take foam board from the dollar store and some peel-and-stick wallpaper. I got some from Amazon or the dollar store. Cut the wallpaper to size and stick to the foam board. You may make mistakes, so it's a good idea to have more foam boards than you need, because trying to peel the wallpaper off paper foam board is likely going to tear or peel the paper from the boards. Wallpapers that look like wood grain are especially easy to start with, because blending the seams is more forgiving.

In general, I prefer to keep my scene simple. I've seen beautiful pictures of products with all sorts of things going on in the background - I personally am more drawn to the clawfoot tub or the chandelier in the background, then lose sight of the candle being featured. This is a personal choice of course, but it's just my preference.

Number of items in a picture and arrangement

Odd numbers seem to photograph and "feel" better than even numbers, and placing them diagonally is a good place to start. Then start moving things around until you get a look you like.

Quite often, though, I just keep it simple and photograph one product, because that's what I'm highlighting and want to show my customer. I may include other photos of the product with a scenic background or props, or an "action" photo (like a freshly-lathered bar of soap sitting on a soap dish).

Learn about your phone or camera

I use my iPhone to take my pictures, so I learned how to edit photos on it, especially the use of filters and exposure. Exposure adjustment really helps me lighten a photo so my customer can see the details. I also often use portrait mode, if I want to highlight the object in the front of the scene, and slightly blur what's behind it.

Have fun and keep it simple

Most importantly, keep it simple and have fun with the process. You will learn and improve as you go. Don't let lack of experience stop you from posting pictures of your products.

~Jeannette