Any Tips for Taking Photos of Products for Your Etsy Store?
As the video/IT/web guy at my school, I get asked this question quite a bit. Here’s some advice to help you take better product photos for your Etsy store!
Good News: It’s Not About Expensive Equipment
You’ll be happy to know that you can easily improve the quality of your photos with a little effort rather than a large expense. The camera on your smartphone is more than enough—modern smartphone cameras are remarkably good.
Quick Tips for Better Photos
- Turn Off the Flash: Use natural or soft lighting for even illumination.
- Increase Screen Brightness: Turn up your screen brightness (I often lower mine during the day to save battery) and connect to a power source to avoid running out of battery mid-shoot.
- Use a Tripod: A tripod is a must for keeping your camera steady. You can find small adjustable grips that hold your smartphone for just a few dollars. Combine this with your phone’s self-timer feature to eliminate camera shake when pressing the shutter.
Recommended Gear:
- Product Photography Tripod: NEEWER TP27
- Video Tripod: NEEWER 74
Product Photos Tripod: NEEWER TP27
Video Tripod: NEEWER 74
Lighting Matters
Choose a sunny day and set up an empty table with a white sheet or paper to create a clean background. Position the table where it gets indirect sunlight. A thin curtain over the window can diffuse the light and provide soft, even illumination.
Editing Your Photos
To crop your images and remove the background (which is easy to do with a plain sheet as your background), I recommend using Adobe Express. It has all the essential features of Photoshop without the monthly subscription. Plus, its "Save for Web" feature keeps your photos high-quality while reducing file sizes.
Backup Everything
Your hard drive will fail one day, so make sure to back up your photos. Invest in an external hard drive that’s at least 2–3 times larger than your internal drive.
All the photography and video gear I use for my Teachers Pay Teachers store and The Magic Crayons YouTube channel can be found on my Studio Tour page.
Smartphone Grips and Tripods
A grip that attaches to your tripod and holds your smartphone is an excellent investment. While cheaper versions exist, they tend to break easily (I have a couple of broken ones in a drawer). Spending a little extra ensures durability—I even let my students use mine without worry.
Tripods come in different forms:
- Conventional Tripod: Great for general use at home.
- Joby-Style Flexible Tripod: This can grip onto anything—chairs, fences, or tables. I chose a version with magnetic feet, which has turned out to be incredibly handy. It sticks to any metal surface and resists wind and bumps.
When to Use a Video Tripod
For still photography, any tripod will do. However, if you’re shooting video and need smooth panning from left to right, invest in a video tripod. These are equally good for still photography as well.
Editing Software
The most cost-effective option is to convince your school to provide you with an Adobe license. If that’s not possible, Photoshop Elements is a great one-time purchase that meets all your editing needs.
Any Questions?
Feel free to ask in the comments below. I’m happy to help!
