How to Take Kick A** Product Pics with an iPhone (Or Android)

A PICTURE IS WORTH A THOUSAND WORDS

More like, 3 pictures, a zoom function, and about 1000 words of product information. Making sure a potential customer has all the information necessary to make a purchase is key. Visuals are increasingly valuable on the online world, as well as in the physical. On average, people who view your product are expecting to see at least 3 pictures of the product before they are willing to commit to the product. I've looked through different guides and ways to take good product pictures. As a result, I have taken the most useful (and cheap) information and aggregated it here.

WINE TASTE ON A BEER BUDGET

Everyone who is running an Etsy shop, e-commerce store, or small business knows the struggle of taking quality product pictures on a low budget. No, you do not need that $1000 camera to be able to take great, professional pictures of your products. There is a great, low budget way to have good product pictures without breaking the bank.

ORANGE YOU GLAD THIS IS SO CHEAP

I will be showing an example of the set-up by featuring my favorite Vitamin C Gummies (ULTRA Vitamin C Gummies) as the product. (Yes, maybe no the most interesting product, but it will do the trick.)

What You Will Need:

Masking tape
Lens cloth
iPhone stand
Roll of white paper or a long piece white cloth
Piece of white foam board
Window with natural light or a tall lamp with a natural light wattage bulb


ARE YOU A CAMERA? BECAUSE EVERYTIME I LOOK AT YOU I SMILE

Make sure you have an app that will allow you more functionality with your camera than you will have in your built in app. I suggest using VSCO app. I'm a fan because it allows you to pinpoint areas of the photo that you would like to change the brightness or contrast in without affecting the whole photo. And the best part, it's FREE.


RAIN DROPS DROP TOP ROLL OUT YOUR BACKDROP

Make sure your backdrop is as high as possible and drapes under the product then down as far as possible. You want this background to be as much like a green screen as possible. This will make the product be the focus and nothing else. Here I have shown how I set up my backdrop.

It does not need to be pretty! Here, I didn't have scissors, so I ripped the paper. Also, I just randomly put tape wherevver would hold the paper. The middle of the backdrop needs to be your biggest worry. Make sure you don't wrinkle the paper!

I have natural light, but if you are using a lamp just make sure it is not pointed directly at the product. You may point it somewhat in the general vicinity, but make sure it's much higher than the product and projects to the whole opposite side of the room. You will be trying to recreate what would happen from window light.


EVERYTHING THE LIGHT TOUCHES IS OUR KINGDOM - MUFASA

The white board is going to be used to reflect some of that light to the darker side of the product. This will make sure all sides of the product are getting adequate lighting for the picture.

Here, I have propped up the board and made sure to angle it so the light reflects onto the other side of the product.

I just used my roll of masking tape to hold up the board. Also, any white, flat object should reflect light well. So just  see what you have around. Don't spend money if you don't have to!

TALK CLEAN TO ME

Clean the lens of your camera! This may seem like trivial task, but it will improve the quality of your photos. Preferably do this with an actually lens cloth. Just using your t-shirt or a tissue will not give you the same clean that a lens cloth will. The fibers from these items will stay on your lens. I know this is annoying, but just do it.

GOING STEADY

The stand for your phone is primarily for stabilization. Our phones don't take as crisp pictures as we would like because we are always moving, if only minimally. Make sure your stand and phone are placed properly in respect to the light sources. You will want the camera aimed straight at the product. I have added the picture below of where I placed my phone in relation to the product.

Really, just make sure the camera is relatively level with the product and that there is only white in the background of the angle.

READY AIM FIRE

Now we are finally ready to take our pictures. This is the part where you really get to see what the VSCO app can do and how it will change the look of your photos depending on your light. Take your time here. After all this set up, make sure you are taking multiple product pictures from multiple angles. Three picture minimum per product.

Also, you can get creative here. Maybe even use props. Figure out what will make people respond to your product. Below I have added my favorite picture.

BETTER MARKETING = BETTER MARK-UPS

The better you portray your product, the more willing people are to purchase it. Taking great product pictures is a BIG DEAL. Be sure to get creative, too. Customers like to see the product in use, all around views, and up-close product pictures, depending on the product. 

QUESTIONS? COMMENTS?

I love hearing about other techniques people have found to work, or even cheaper ways to do things. If you are a budding entrepreneur, or even an Etsy shop owner, let's get connected!