Great product photos can make or break your website. They attract attention, build trust, and help customers visualise what they’re buying. But hiring a professional photographer or renting a studio can quickly become expensive, especially for small businesses or startups.
The good news? You don’t need a big budget to create professional-looking product photos. With some creativity, basic tools, and a little know-how, you can capture high-quality images that showcase your products beautifully. Here are some of the best techniques for photographing products for a website on a budget.
Use Natural Light
Lighting is the single most important factor in product photography. Instead of expensive studio lights, take advantage of natural light:
Shoot near a large window on a bright but overcast day to avoid harsh shadows.
Use a white curtain or sheet to diffuse direct sunlight if it’s too strong.
Avoid artificial indoor lighting if it casts yellow or uneven tones.
There are also inexpensive light tents with LED lights available now, and these are worth looking into.
Pro tip: Aim to shoot at the same time of day (usually mid-morning or late afternoon) to keep your lighting consistent.
Create a DIY Backdrop
A clean, uncluttered background helps keep the focus on your product:
Use a large sheet of white paper, foam board as a backdrop. NB: If you plan to use Google, Amazon or eBay shopping, you will be required to shoot your products on a white background.
For a seamless look, curve the backdrop from the surface up the wall behind the product to eliminate corners and shadows.
Experiment with colored or textured backgrounds (like wood or fabric) for more personality, but make sure they don’t overpower your product.
Stabilise Your Camera
Blurry photos can ruin an otherwise good shot. You don’t need an expensive camera, but you do need stability:
Use a tripod (even an inexpensive one) or rest your camera/phone on a stack of books.
If you’re using a phone, enable grid lines and tap to focus for sharper results.
Use a Reflector to Reduce Shadows
A reflector bounces light back onto your product and softens harsh shadows. You don’t need to buy one — a piece of white cardboard, aluminium foil, or even a mirror can do the trick. Position it opposite your light source for the best effect.
Take Multiple Angles and Detail Shots
Show your product from different perspectives to give customers a full view:
Front, back, sides, top, and close-up detail shots all help buyers understand what they’re getting.
If possible, include lifestyle shots showing the product in use for added context.
Edit Your Photos
Post-processing can make a big difference:
Use free or low-cost tools like Canva, Snapseed, or GIMP to adjust brightness, contrast, and color balance.
Crop your images to remove distractions and maintain a consistent aspect ratio.
Remember, editing should enhance the product’s true appearance — don’t overdo it to the point it misrepresents what you’re selling.
Keep It Consistent
Finally, consistency is key to a professional-looking website:
Use the same lighting, background, and style for all your photos.
Align products uniformly and use consistent spacing.
This creates a cohesive look and makes your site appear more polished and trustworthy.
Final Thoughts
You don’t need fancy equipment or a professional studio to take excellent product photos. With natural light, a few DIY tools, and a little patience, you can create attractive, high-quality images that help your products shine — and help your business stand out online.
So grab your phone or camera, set up a simple workspace, and start experimenting. Your budget-friendly photos might just exceed your expectations!
