5 tips for effective product photography
By Gert Mostmans
2026/04/16
3 minutes reading
Do you offer physical products, whether or not via your company's website? Then product photography is an important focus for you. After all, attractive images stimulate your customers' interest, thereby increasing the likelihood that visitors to your website or webshop will purchase your products.
More and more products are being sold via webshops. Visitors to a webshop cannot physically view, handle, or try on the products, but rely on the photos they are shown. The more attractive the photo, the greater the temptation to buy.
Other products are not for sale online, but are presented online, as in a virtual showroom, or shown in a printed brochure or catalog. The same principle applies there as well: the stronger the images, the greater the desire to buy the product.
The commercial importance of professional product photography should therefore not be underestimated. Does your company offer physical products that are presented to potential buyers online or offline? Then you will surely find these tips useful.
1. Always photograph with a tripod
When using a tripod, it is easier to give your images a consistent background and framing. A tripod ensures that your camera does not shake and that you can devote your full attention to the composition and lighting. Furthermore, you can easily view your camera screen and make the necessary adjustments.
2. Use props in moderation
Do you want a pure product shot, or would you like to add some atmosphere? Often, both options are a good idea. Props help you create a beautiful composition, but they can also distract attention from the product. You can start with one item and see if that is sufficient. Then, you can add and remove items as desired until your composition is just right.
3. Pay close attention to the lighting
Good lighting is essential to showcase the quality, finish, and details of your products. Natural light through a large window can create beautiful effects because it is often soft and diffuse. If you use artificial light, it is important that the color temperature matches that of natural light.
4. Watch out for reflections
Reflections quickly cause overexposure, making parts of the photo appear out of focus. However, you do want to capture the natural sheen of a product surface, and that is no easy task. Soft, diffused light can offer a solution. Using multiple lights and a light tent can help with this.
5. Work with a professional product photographer
Taking product photos is labor-intensive. For that reason alone, investing in professional product photography is worthwhile. In a well-equipped photo studio, a professional photographer achieves a crystal-clear result much faster. This not only saves you a lot of time but also provides you with top-quality photos that showcase your products in an attractive and consistent manner. The result: more buyers, more orders, and increased revenue, ensuring your investment pays for itself.
If you keep these tips in mind, you will already know what to pay special attention to in product photography. Feel free to try it out yourself, even if just for fun. Because if photos of your products are important to you, nothing beats the experience and efficiency that a professional product photographer can offer.
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Gert Mostmans
Photographer
