How to Take Product Photos with a Smartphone - A Complete Guide

You don’t need a DSLR to take stunning product photos.

With smartphone cameras becoming more advanced each year, you already hold the power to create high-quality product images in your pocket. Whether you're a small business owner, an Etsy seller, or just curating your brand’s Instagram feed, mastering smartphone photography can make your products shine—without investing in expensive gear.

Steps to Smartphone Product Photography

1. Clean Your Camera Lens

Before you begin shooting, always ensure that your smartphone camera lens is spotless. Use a microfiber cloth to gently wipe off any smudges, dust, or fingerprints. Even small imperfections on the lens can lead to blurry or hazy images, compromising the sharpness and clarity of your photos. A clean lens is fundamental for achieving high-quality shots.

Tip: If you’re using a DSLR or mirrorless camera for your product shots, the same rule applies—keep your lens clean for sharper photos. Beginner cameras such as the Canon EOS Rebel T8i or Nikon D3500 are great choices if you’re looking to step up from smartphone photography. However, don't feel limited—smartphones like the iPhone 15 Pro or Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra offer excellent camera performance for beginner photographers.

2. Use Natural Light or Soft Artificial Lighting

Lighting is one of the most critical factors in product photography.

• Natural Light: If possible, take advantage of natural light. Position your product near a window, ideally with soft, indirect sunlight. A sheer curtain or translucent blinds can diffuse the light, creating a soft glow and reducing harsh shadows.
• Artificial Lighting: If you’re shooting indoors without much natural light, consider investing in a lightbox or LED panels, or even a ring light. These tools can help replicate soft, diffused lighting similar to what a professional studio would use.

💡 Pro Tip: Avoid using your phone’s flash. Flash creates uneven lighting, harsh highlights, and unflattering shadows that can ruin your shots. Instead, rely on natural or controlled artificial lighting. For an extra cinematic effect, you can experiment with cinematic photography techniques like using softer, diffused light for moodier shots—great for creating dramatic, storytelling product images.

3. Use a Neutral, Uncluttered Background

The background should not distract from your product. A clean and neutral backdrop helps keep the focus on the item you're photographing.

• Best Options: White, gray, or beige backgrounds are ideal for most products as they allow the product's details and colors to stand out. Use foam boards, poster paper, or fabric to create a simple, budget-friendly backdrop.
• Creative Variation: For lifestyle shots where the product is used in a setting, add a few complementary props. For instance, a skincare product might be placed next to a towel or a beauty mirror. However, keep props minimal and ensure they don't overpower the product.

📌 Tip: A clutter-free background will make your product appear more professional and polished. Double exposure photography can also be a creative method for adding artistic flair, blending a product with a conceptual or atmospheric background, giving your photos an avant-garde touch.

4. Stabilize Your Smartphone

To avoid blurry or shaky photos, it’s crucial to keep your phone steady while shooting.

• Use a Tripod: A tripod is the best tool for stabilizing your phone and maintaining a consistent angle. If you don’t have one, you can improvise by placing your phone on a stack of books or a flat surface. Here’s a helpful guide on how to choose the right tripod: Best Tripods for Smartphones.
• Bluetooth Remote Shutter: For extra convenience, use a Bluetooth shutter remote to take photos without touching the phone. This prevents any unintended movement.

For more advanced setups, you can also invest in a gimbal stabilizer to create smooth, cinematic motion if you're capturing video or doing product demonstrations.

5. Enable Gridlines and Use Straight Angles

Enable the gridlines feature on your smartphone camera to help align your product within the frame. This makes it easier to apply the rule of thirds, ensuring your product is visually balanced.

• Shoot from Multiple Angles: Capture the product from different perspectives to showcase its features. Common angles include:
• Eye-level for a straightforward, product-focused shot.
• 45-degree angle to give depth and dimension to the product.
• Top-down for flat-lay photography or to highlight details like textures or labels.

📸 If you want to take your shots even further, consider learning the art of cinematic photography for dramatic, moody images. Techniques such as controlling the depth of field, using selective focus, and experimenting with composition can elevate your product shots to something visually striking.

6. Avoid Digital Zoom

Digital zoom degrades image quality by cropping and enlarging the image digitally, which results in pixelation. Instead of zooming in, physically move closer to the product to maintain sharpness and detail. This approach preserves the integrity of the image, resulting in clearer, more professional-looking photos.

📌 Tip: If necessary, crop the image later during the editing process rather than using digital zoom during the shot. Also, consider experimenting with artistic double exposure photography, which can be achieved in editing apps to create ethereal, layered effects in your product images.

7. Edit Smartly – Not Heavily

Editing your photos can enhance their appearance, but it's important not to overdo it.

• Use editing apps such as Snapseed, Lightroom Mobile, or VSCO to fine-tune your images.
• Adjust Brightness & Contrast: Brighten up your images and adjust contrast to make the product stand out.
• White Balance: Correct any color shifts to make sure the product looks true to life.
• Sharpening: Enhance the sharpness of the image, especially for fine details.

💡 Pro Tip: Avoid heavy filters or edits that alter the product’s natural appearance. Customers want to see what the product looks like in real life, so maintain authenticity in your photos.

If you’re looking to perfect your editing, check out photo restoration software to bring old or vintage images back to life with modern touch-ups.

8. Export in High Quality

Once you're satisfied with the photo, it’s time to export it.

• Always export your final images in high-resolution format, especially if you plan to use them for online shops, social media, or product listings.
• Avoid Over-compressing: Compressing images too much can lead to a loss of detail and quality. When uploading to e-commerce platforms, check the platform’s recommended image specifications (dimensions, resolution) and adhere to them to ensure your photos display correctly.

📌 Tip: A high-quality image can make a significant difference in attracting customers and conveying professionalism. Take the time to ensure your photos look polished.

Best Camera for Beginners in 2025

When upgrading your gear, consider what makes a great camera:

• Smartphones: The latest models, like the iPhone 15 Pro or Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra, offer excellent cameras with features like portrait mode, night photography, and RAW image capture, which are great for beginners.
• Entry-level DSLRs and Mirrorless Cameras: If you want to move beyond smartphone photography, cameras like the Canon EOS Rebel T8i or Nikon D3500 are fantastic for learning the ropes of professional product photography.

Bonus Tips:

• Batch your shoots: Shoot multiple angles and products in one go to save time.
• Name and organize your files by product name or SKU for easy cataloging.
• Use third-party camera apps that allow manual control over focus, ISO, and exposure for enhanced creativity.

Related Learning Resources:

Here are some useful resources that enhance your skills and knowledge when it comes to smartphone and general photography techniques:

• Best Camera for Beginners in 2025 – Learn what makes a great camera (including smartphones!) and what features to look out for.
• How to Sell Your Photos Online – Once your product photo skills improve, why not monetize them?
• Best Photo Selling Websites 2025 – Find the right platforms to showcase and profit from your photography.
• How to Take Cinematic Photos – Techniques that can be adapted for more dramatic product images.
• How to Create Artistic Double Exposure Photos – Add creative flair to your compositions.
• Photo Restoration Software Guide – Useful when retouching older product shots or vintage-style imagery.