Product photography is a great way to showcase your products, whether you sell them online or offline. But you don't need to spend a fortune on a professional studio to create stunning images. You can set up a simple and effective home studio for product photography with some basic equipment and a few tips. This article shows you how to do it in six easy steps.
The first step is to choose a location for your home studio. Ideally, you want a space that has plenty of natural light, is clean and clutter-free, and has enough room to set up your backdrop, table, and camera. A spare room, a garage, or a corner of your living room can work well. If possible, avoid direct sunlight, as it can create harsh shadows and glare on your products.
I actually find that having the option for direct sunlight can be a benefit depending on the subject. You can always block off the light, bounce it, or diffuse it if needed. Also, have room not only for a table and backdrop, but also light stands, whether you are using flashes, studio strobes, or continuous light sources, and have room for a tripod and a place to tether your laptop to your camera for ease of shooting.
The next step is to set up your backdrop, which is the background of your product photos. You want a backdrop that is smooth, neutral, and consistent, so that it doesn't distract from your products. You can use a large sheet of paper, fabric, or foam board as your backdrop, and tape it to the wall or a stand. You can also use a pop-up or collapsible backdrop that is easy to store and transport. Make sure your backdrop covers the entire area behind your products, and curves down to the table or floor to create a seamless transition.
If you’d like to replicate the look of different backgrounds such as tile or marble and add personality to your shots rigid backgrounds can also work. I love the backgrounds from https://www.replicasurfaces.com and have used them to create a bathroom and kitchen backdrop for several product shots.
Having a plain, neutral, smooth backdrop is just a start. You may want to add texture or patterns for a backdrop or background again depending on the final image you want to produce.
For a home backdrop, I definitely recommend having several. I was taught this, and absolutely live by it. Have different flat and vertical surfaces and textures, know your lighting options in your house, hunt for props available in your home and then purchase from there. I bought a couple cheap tables, some cloth, a few props and a couple lights, so now I have many backdrops (because of combinations) for almost anything I want or need to photograph in my house.
Next, arrange your products on your table or floor, depending on the size and shape of your products. You want to position your products in a way that highlights their features, quality, and benefits. You can use props, such as plants, books, or accessories, to add some context and interest to your products, but don't overdo it. You can also use different angles, perspectives, and compositions to create variety and show different aspects of your products.
When arranging your products for display, consider how well they fit together without overwhelming the space. Add interest with props like plants or books, that contract and texture to your photos but keep your products distinct. Treat it like curating an art exhibit, taking time to get creative, and letting your products shine. You'll captivate your audience and turn browsers into buyers with the proper setup.
At this point you can set up your lighting, which is one of the most important elements of product photography. You want to create a soft and even light that illuminates your products without creating harsh shadows or reflections. You can use natural light from a window, or artificial light from lamps, flashes, or LED panels. You can also use reflectors, diffusers, or softboxes to modify and control the light. You can experiment with different lighting setups, such as side lighting, front lighting, or back lighting, to create different effects and moods.
I find having the ability to light from underneath at times, especially when shooting a bottle or something transparent with a colored liquid is important. Two tables pushed together or a hole in the table to allow for light to come from below is a great help. Not 100% necessarily but is a big help.
Next, adjust your camera settings, which affect the exposure, focus, and quality of your product photos. You want to use a camera that has manual mode, so that you can adjust the aperture, shutter speed, and ISO according to the lighting and the effect you want. You also want to use a tripod so that you can avoid camera shake and keep your photos sharp and consistent. You can also use a remote shutter release or a self-timer to trigger your camera without touching it. You can also use a white balance tool, such as a gray card, to ensure accurate colors.
The final step is to edit your photos, which can enhance the appearance and appeal of your product photos. You can use a photo editing software, such as Photoshop, Lightroom, or GIMP, to crop, resize, rotate, adjust, and retouch your photos. You can also apply filters, effects, or presets to create a consistent style and mood for your product photos. You can also use a watermark or a logo to protect your photos and brand them.