How to take product photos that sell (just with your phone)

The photo is the first thing your customer sees and, often, the only thing that decides whether they buy or scroll past. The good news: with the phone you already own you can get professional photos if you take care of three things: light, background and framing.

1. Use natural light

The best light is free: daylight. Place your product near a window, to the side, so the light washes over it without harsh reflections. Avoid direct flash and the yellow light of bulbs: they distort the product's real colors.

2. Mind the background

A clean background makes the product stand out. A white poster board, a plain wall or a wooden table are enough. What matters is that there are no distracting objects or clutter around.

3. Framing and focus

1. Clean the phone lens before shooting.
2. Tap the screen on the product to lock the focus.
3. Fill the frame with the product, leaving a little space around it.
4. Take several photos from different angles and pick the best.

4. Edit just enough

Light editing helps: bump up brightness and contrast a bit, and crop to center the product. Do not overdo filters or saturation, because if the photo color does not match the real one, you will get returns and complaints.

With natural light, a clean background and good framing, your photos will compete with any big store. Upload them to your catalog and you will notice the difference in how your customers respond.