Beginner’s Guide to Product Photography — From Someone Who Shoots Products Every Day
I’ve been doing product photography for years, and honestly, you don’t need a fancy studio or a legendary camera to get great shots. What you do need is the right setup, good lighting, and a bit of patience. If you're a beginner trying to make your online store look more professional, here’s everything I wish someone told me when I first started.
What Exactly Is Product Photography?
Simply put: product photography is the art of showing your item in the best possible way. A clean, sharp, well-lit photo can boost your sales faster than any description ever will. Whether you’re doing catalog shots, lifestyle photos, or something more commercial, your goal is the same — make buyers trust what they see.
Starter Gear That Actually Matters
You don’t need to bankrupt yourself on gear — trust me.
●Camera / Smartphone:
A DSLR is nice, but a modern smartphone works shockingly well if you control the light.
●Tripod:
Want sharp photos? You need one. Even a cheap mini tripod does the job.
●Lightbox or Backdrop:
A simple white backdrop makes your product pop and keeps distractions away.
●Reflectors / Diffusers:
These help soften harsh shadows. You can even DIY them with paper or foil.
Lighting Setup That Never Fails
Lighting is 70% of product photography.
●Natural light = perfect for soft lifestyle shots
●Artificial light = more control, consistent results
Use a three-point lighting setup:
Key light → Fill light → Back light.
This combo instantly makes your product look cleaner and more dimensional.
Composition Tips for Total Beginners
●Use the rule of thirds — off-center = more natural.
●Use simple backgrounds that match your product's vibe.
●Add props only if they support the product.
●Shoot multiple angles — online buyers need detail.
Best Image Size for Online Stores
●Shopify → 2048×2048px
●Amazon → 1000×1000px
●Etsy → 2000×2000px
Stick to 72 DPI for web and use JPEG/PNG depending on transparency needs.
Bonus Tip: Easy Editing with HitPaw FotorPea
After shooting, the real magic happens in editing — and for beginners, HitPaw FotorPea is super easy.
Why I Use It Daily
●Crop & replace messy backgrounds
●AI filters that fix color + lighting automatically
●Object remover for dust, scratches, reflections
●AI upscale → perfect for Amazon / Etsy uploads
●Batch edit → time-saver for big product lines
🔥 Black Friday Special
HitPaw FotorPea is now up to 60% off for Black Friday — perfect if you work with ads, product catalogs, or any visual brand content. A crazy good deal if you’re building your photography workflow.