E-commerce product photography: Small business photography tips

1Choosing a camera for e-commerce products

High-tech, expensive gear isn’t a prerequisite for quality e-commerce photography. Thanks to advancements in smartphone cameras, you can easily take professional-looking product photos with just an iPhone or Android.

That said, certain features can make a big difference in image quality. When researching the best cameras for product photography, look for models that include:

• High resolution (12MP or higher): A higher megapixel count means crisper, more detailed images, especially important for zoom shots or larger product prints.

• 4K video capability: Helpful for behind-the-scenes clips or GIFs if you're expanding into video content.

• Manual mode: Allows you to control shutter speed, aperture, and ISO for more consistent lighting and focus.

• Optical zoom: Digital zoom can reduce image quality, while optical zoom keeps details sharp.

• RAW file support: Shooting in RAW gives more control during editing, helping you maintain color accuracy and detail.

• Image stabilization: Reduces blurring caused by shaky hands or subtle movements.

Even with great specs, you might still be wondering how to take good pictures for e-commerce. Ultimately, the success of e-commerce photography depends more on the photographer's creativity and techniques (like framing, lighting, and context) than on the equipment.

2Types of e-commerce product shots

If you’re in a store, would you take a full 360-degree view of an item or just stare at the front? The more product-style shots you can provide, the better equipped shoppers are to make a purchasing decision. And when learning how to photograph products that convert, variety is key.

Here are common types of product photos to include in your shot list:

• Front shot: A straightforward shot of the product from the front.

• Side shot: A shot of the product from the side, showing its profile and any details or dimensions.

• Back shot: A shot of the product from the back, showing details such as buttons, ports, or labels.

• Top shot: A shot of the product from above, showing its overall shape and any details on the top.

• Angle shot: A shot taken at an angle, showing the product in a creative and interesting way.

• Close-up shot: A shot taken close to the product, focusing on details such as texture, pattern, or materials.

• Lifestyle shot: A shot of the product in use, showing it in a real-life setting and giving customers a sense of how it will fit into their lives.

• Outdoor nature shot: A shot of the product outside or in a relevant location depending on its use (such as a patio chair photographed outside on a deck).

• Multi-product shot: A shot showing multiple products together, allowing customers to see how they can be used in combination.

3Choosing a background

Busy backgrounds can be distracting and cause shoppers’ eyes to wander. Don’t give them the opportunity. A clean, consistent backdrop ensures that their focus stays where it should: on the product.

When choosing backgrounds for e-commerce images, aim for simplicity that enhances your product presentation rather than compete with it. It should align with your brand’s visual style and make the product pop, not fade into clutter.

Here are a few go-to background ideas to consider:

• Plain white backdrop: A classic choice that keeps things clean and professional. You can easily create this with white poster board, fabric, or by purchasing a photo backdrop online.

• Neutral tones (gray, beige, light wood): Adds a bit of warmth or contrast without being distracting — great for products with white or very light features.

• Styled setting: For lifestyle or in-context shots, a clean desk, kitchen counter, or styled shelf can add storytelling value while still keeping the focus on the item.

• Natural textures: Wood, linen, or stone can add a tactile feel that complements certain products, especially handmade, organic, or rustic goods.

Pro tip: If your original image has clutter or shadows, AI tools can now remove and replace backgrounds with clean, consistent surfaces. Many e-commerce platforms or photo editing tools now offer this as a built-in feature.¹

4Using a tripod and choosing a surface

Don’t make your shoppers think they suddenly need glasses. Blurry photos can instantly make even the best product look unprofessional. The fix? Eliminate any chance of camera shake with a steady product photography setup, whether that’s a tripod or a DIY solution like a stack of books.

If you’re investing in a tripod, here’s what to look for:

• Adjustable height and extendable arms: This gives you flexibility to shoot from different angles, whether you're capturing flat lays or eye-level shots.

• Built-in level: Ensures your camera stays straight, especially useful for products with clean lines or symmetry.

• Smartphone mount compatibility: If you're using a phone instead of a DSLR, make sure your tripod supports it securely.

• Sturdy but lightweight build: You want something stable enough to hold your camera steady, but not so bulky that it’s hard to maneuver.

5Product photography lighting

Bright, harsh lights or direct sunlight can create unwanted glares, heavy shadows, or inaccurate colors — all of which can make the best products look unappealing. Instead, aim for a lighting setup that creates soft, even illumination.

Here are some reliable product lighting options to consider:

• Natural daylight through a window: Soft, indirect daylight is one of the easiest and most flattering lighting sources for e-commerce photography. Position your product near a window and use a sheer curtain to diffuse the light if it's too strong.

• Ring lights: Popular among content creators, ring lights provide even, shadow-minimizing lighting that's ideal for small to mid-sized products. Many also let you adjust color temperature to match your product's true tone.

• Light boxes or light tents: These enclosed setups surround your product with diffused light from all sides. They’re perfect for small products like jewelry, cosmetics, or accessories, giving a clean, professional look.

• Softbox lighting kits: For larger products or more controlled shoots, softboxes provide adjustable, studio-quality lighting that reduces shadows and glare. These work well in home studios or dedicated shooting spaces.

6Use plenty of detail

No merchant wants to deal with the hassle of a customer saying a product wasn’t what they expected — or worse, learning someone submitted a claim due to said mismatch. Clear, honest product detail shots aren’t just about helping shoppers fall in love with your item; they’re also your best defense against returns, refunds, and disputes.

To manage product expectations and reduce surprises, consider including these types of e-commerce photography in your listings:

• Tags and labels: Especially important for clothing, accessories, or gear — anything where sizing, care instructions, or materials matter.

• Texture and material close-ups: Whether it’s leather grain, fabric weave, or the matte finish on a tech device, detail shots help set accurate expectations.

• Functional features: Zippers, buttons, buckles, ports, or compartments should be photographed clearly so customers understand what they’re getting.

• Product scale: Use props (like a hand, coin, or everyday object) to communicate size and proportion.

• Packaging: If your product is gift-worthy or fragile, a shot of how the product arrives can further reinforce trust.

7Use a photo editing tool

Even the best lighting and composition can benefit from a little post-production cleanup. After all, consistency is key — your e-commerce photography should feel like it’s all part of the same collection, even if individual product shots were taken on different days or in different lighting conditions.

But this doesn’t mean you should heavily alter your images or mislead buyers. Instead, think of editing as a way to refine your product photography setup: adjust brightness, sharpen details, and correct color balance.

Here are a few easy-to-use photo editing tools to consider:

• Canva: Great for beginners thanks to its simple drag-and-drop features, background remover, and branded template options for e-commerce listings or social posts.

• Adobe Lightroom: A favorite for pros and enthusiasts alike. Choose this if you need precision control over lighting, tone, and detail.

• Snapseed (by Google): This is a free, mobile-friendly app with powerful editing tools, including healing, perspective, and selective adjustments.

• Remove.bg: Need to clean up messy backgrounds? Use this tool to finesse your e-commerce photography in just a few clicks.

8Use proper dimensions

A crisp, well-lit product photo won’t do much good if it uploads as a blurry thumbnail or takes ages to load. To make sure your e-commerce photography looks sharp and loads fast, it’s important to size it correctly for the platform you’re using.

Each e-commerce site has its own image guidelines, but here are some general rules of thumb:

• Aim for high resolution without going overboard: Around 2000 x 2000 pixels is typically a safe bet for square product images. It’s large enough to zoom in on detail but won’t bog down page speed.

• Keep file sizes optimized: Use JPGs for lifestyle or full-color shots and PNGs for images with transparency. Try to keep file sizes under 500 KB to keep loading times quick without losing clarity.

• Stick to the same aspect ratio: Whether it's 1:1 squares, 4:3 rectangles, or vertical 3:4 images, choose one and use it consistently across your e-commerce photography for a professional look.

• Check mobile responsiveness: A photo that looks great on desktop might crop weirdly on mobile. Make sure to preview across devices to make sure nothing critical is getting cut off.