Your Home Studio – Product Photography

Space Selection and Budget Planning

Finding the perfect space – choosing the right location for a photography studio depends on several factors, such as the availability of natural light and the size of the room. For example, for a small home-based business, it may be ideal to convert an unused room into a home studio. It is worth looking for a room with a window that will allow daylight, which is beneficial especially for product photography.

The home studio space should be suited not only to the type of photography you plan to undertake, but also to the home studio equipment-specific requirements. For example, when photographing large products, such as furniture, we will need much more space than for jewellery photography. It is important that the space is adaptable and allows for easy manipulation of lighting and backgrounds.

Selecting and adapting the space and carefully planning the budget are the first steps that will determine the functionality and efficiency of the photographic home studio. Thoughtful organisation at the outset can significantly facilitate later work and influence the quality of the final product images.

Home Studio Set Up to €250

Using existing equipment – The first step towards setting up an affordable studio is to use the camera you already own. Many of today’s offer cameras with high resolution and advanced features that are perfect for product photography.

IPhone users can use Portrait mode, which is great for making a product stand out against a solid background. Android smartphone owners also enjoy similar features, such as ‘Live Focus’ on Samsungs, which allows you to adjust the depth of field.

Lighting – A key element of any photography studio is proper lighting. Even with a limited budget, you can invest in simple LED lights, which range in price from tens to hundreds of pounds.

It is worth choosing those with adjustable brightness and colour temperature, allowing you to adjust the lighting to suit the conditions in your studio. Alternatively, you can use a cheaper solution in the form of white cardboard or panels that will reflect natural daylight, creating soft and even lighting without shadows.

Background – For product photography on platforms like or Amazon, the ideal background is a simple white surface that doesn’t draw attention away from the item being photographed. A background can be created from a large sheet of white paper or cardboard that can be hung or placed behind the product. The cost of such a solution is usually no more than a few tens of euro, and the effect is professional and clean.

Tripod – A tripod is essential for stabilising your camera, especially in low light conditions. When using a smartphone, special tripod adapters can be purchased, which are much cheaper than those designed for traditional cameras. Tripods with basic functionality can be found for as little as around €25, an investment that definitely improves the quality of your photos by eliminating hand shake.

Accessories – Additional, but not necessary, accessories can include various types of light diffusers to help soften harsh shadows, and small props to help arrange products, such as stands or stands. Making creative use of what we already have at home, such as pieces of fabric or different textures, can enhance photographs without having to spend a lot.

In summary, a photography studio for up to €250 can be effective if you use a photographic tool, invest in basic LED lighting and use a simple but effective backdrop. This is ideal for budding photographers or small entrepreneurs who want to present their products professionally online with limited financial resources.

Home Photography Studio Up to €1000

Camera choice – In this budget category, it is possible to invest in more advanced photographic equipment. DSLR or mirrorless (mirrorless) cameras priced up to around €7000 offer much better image quality and more manual control of settings, which is key to getting professional product images. Models such as the Nikon D5600, Canon EOS Rebel T7i or Sony Alpha a6400 offer high resolution, a wide ISO range and fast autofocus, which is especially useful for product photography.

Lighting – With a larger budget, you can invest in a professional lighting kit, which often includes several studio lights with softboxes. Such lighting provides soft, even light that minimises shadows and accentuates product details. In this price category, consider lighting kits from reputable brands like Godox or Neewer, which offer both durability and high quality light.

Backgrounds – For a €1000 photography studio, you may want to think about investing in a professional backdrop system. These systems allow you to easily change backgrounds from one colour to another, which is particularly useful if you plan to photograph products on a variety of backgrounds. Professional fabric backgrounds, such as those offered by Savage or Lastolite, provide better quality and durability than paper counterparts.

Find out more:

• Which photo background to choose?
• PANTONE Colour of the Year 2024

Tripod and accessories – A good photographic tripod that allows stable framing and precise settings is essential. In this price class, you can invest in tripods with more advanced features, such as those offered by Manfrotto or Benro. In addition to a tripod, it’s also worth investing in a variety of accessories, such as remote triggers that allow you to shoot without directly touching the camera, which is particularly useful for long exposures.

Photo editing – When setting up a studio in this price range, it is also worth budgeting for the cost of purchasing photo editing software such as Adobe Photoshop or Lightroom. This software allows you to edit your photos in detail, adjusting colours, removing unwanted elements and much more, significantly improving the quality of your final images.

Photo Studio at Home Up to €2500

Advanced photographic equipment – With a budget of €2500, we can invest in a professional camera that offers superior image quality and extensive configuration options. Models such as the Canon EOS 5D Mark IV, Nikon D850 or Sony A7R IV are excellent choices for professionals, providing not only excellent resolution but also exceptional performance in a variety of lighting conditions. These cameras feature full-frame sensors that excel in low light, which is crucial for product photography.

Find out more:

• Which mirrorless camera in 2024?

Professional lighting – Investing in a professional lighting kit, such as those offered by Profoto or Broncolor, is another step towards creating a top-quality studio. These lighting systems, although expensive, offer not only variety in light types (flash, continuous) but also precise control over light parameters, allowing you to create advanced lighting settings.

High-quality backgrounds and mounting systems – The ability to change backgrounds quickly without disrupting the shooting process is crucial in a professional studio. Investing in a motorised background changing system, such as the one offered by Manfrotto, allows you to quickly move and change backgrounds with a remote control, which is extremely convenient during photo shoots. It’s also worth having a variety of fabric and paper backgrounds in many colours and textures.

Accessories and add-ons – In a comprehensively equipped photographic studio, it is worth having additional specialised lenses(macro, tilt-shift), which allow you to photograph products at close range or correct perspective.

Other useful accessories include wireless lamp control systems, various types of light modifiers (e.g. umbrellas, softboxes, beauty dishes) and advanced tripods and tripod heads to ensure stability and precision.

Advanced photo editing software – Getting the most out of your photos will be achieved with professional editing software such as Adobe Photoshop CC or Capture One. These programs offer extensive photo editing and retouching capabilities, which is essential for perfect results.

Find out more:

• Photoshop for free? We check it out!

Photography Studio at Home – Essential Equipment

A list of essential items for every budget

Let’s summarise in general the necessary equipment for a photography studio includes a few key items that are independent of budget size:

1. Camera or mobile phone – This is the basic tool of any photographer. For professionals, cameras such as the Canon EOS Rebel T7i or Nikon D5600 offer advanced features and high image quality. For those on a smaller budget, modern smartphones with a good camera, such as the iPhone 13 or Samsung Galaxy S21, can be an alternative.
2. Lighting – Basic lighting can include continuous lights or flash kits. Inexpensive LED lights, such as the Neewer 5600K, are suitable for beginners and provide sufficient light for small to medium-sized studios. In more professional settings, kits like the Godox AD400Pro offer higher power and better light control.
3. Backgrounds –Backgrounds can be as simple as a white cardboard wall, which can easily be replaced with other colours or textures. For more advanced settings, drop-down fabric or paper backgrounds (such as Savage backgrounds) allow for quick and easy changes.
4. Tripods – From simple smartphone models, such as the Joby GorillaPod, to more robust camera tripods, such as the Manfrotto 190XPRO, which provide stability and flexibility in settings.
5. Accessories – Reflectors, softboxes, umbrellas, and diffusers are key to shaping the light. You can also choose different filters and lenses for specific visual effects and types of shooting.

Camera or Mobile Phone?

Camera:

• Advantages: higher image quality, better control over exposure parameters, interchangeable lenses.
• Examples: DSLR cameras, such as the Nikon D5600, offer extensive manual focus and exposure capabilities, which is crucial for more challenging light settings.

Mobile phone:

• Advantages: low price, ease of use, accessibility. Many modern phones offer advanced photographic features.
• Examples: the iPhone 13 Pro Max has a portrait and night mode, which significantly improve the quality of photos in different light conditions.

Home Studio Photography – Lighting

In studio photography, lighting plays a key role in shaping the quality and atmosphere of photographs. There are several basic types of lighting:

• Continuous light – This is a form of lighting that emits light continuously, like LED lamps or incandescent bulbs. It is ideal for beginner photographers as it allows them to directly assess the lighting effect on the scene. For example, LED lamps such as the Godox SL60W offer adjustable brightness and colour temperature, making it easy to adjust the light to suit the scene.
• Flash light – Offers a much higher intensity of light in a short pulse, which is useful when shooting fast action or in low light conditions. Flash systems, like the Profoto B10, are prized for their power and portability, but require more experience for effective use.
• Mixed lighting – A combination of different light sources, often used to create specific visual effects or to balance daylight with artificial light.

How to choose lighting for different types of photography

Choosing the right lighting depends on the type of photography you are dealing with:

• Portraits – Soft, diffused light is often preferred as it softens facial features and reduces hard shadows. Softboxes or umbrellas are ideal for this type of photography. For example, using a softbox mounted on a Neewer 700W flash can help achieve a soft and even distribution of light.
• Product photography – Requires precise lighting that highlights the shape, colour and texture of the product. This is where flashes with modified light using snoots or grids that focus the light on the product, such as the Snoot with Grid from Godox, work well.
• Macro photography – Because of the need for high close-ups, the lighting in macro photography must be particularly well controlled. LED rings, such as the Neewer Ring Light, can be invaluable here as they provide even illumination directly around the lens.

DIY solutions

For those who prefer more cost-effective solutions, there are many DIY options:

• DIYsoftbox – You can build a softbox using cardboard, aluminium foil and white material, which is a cheap way to get soft light. Check YouTube, there are plenty of DIY tutorials.
• Umbrella diffuser – A transparent white umbrella can be used as an improvised light diffuser, creating soft, diffused light ideal for portraits.
• Reflectors – Using white sheets of paper or cardboard as reflectors to bounce light can improve lighting quality without investing in expensive accessories.

Photographic Backgrounds and Their Importance

The importance of the right background in product photography

Backgrounds in photography are crucial as they can significantly affect the perception of the product viewer. The right background highlights the product, eliminates distracting elements and can also affect the mood and emotion of the product. The background should complement the product, not compete with it for the viewer’s attention.

Advantages of using a white background in product photography

White backgrounds are standard in product photography, especially in e-commerce, for several reasons:

• Universality – White backgrounds are neutral, allowing products to be presented without introducing the subjective feelings or associations that other colours can evoke.
• Consistency – Using a white background makes it easier to create a consistent look on product pages, which is important in building a professional brand image.
• Product focus – A white background eliminates any distractions, allowing customers to focus solely on the product.
• Optimisation for SEO – Images with a white background are often better indexed by search engines, which can increase the visibility of products in search results.

Techniques and tips for achieving the perfect white background

1. Choosing a background material – Professional photographic backgrounds, such as Savage paper rolls or vinyl backgrounds, are popular for their even texture and ease of cleaning. The paper is disposable and can be easily replaced when soiled.
2. Backdroplighting – For a background to be perfectly white, it needs to be evenly lit. Using two lamps positioned on either side of the background can help avoid shadows cast by the product. Lamps such as the Godox DE300 are a good choice because of their adjustable power and wide range of accessories.
3. Camera setting – It is important to set the correct camera parameters. The aperture should be adjusted so that the depth of field is appropriate for the subject being photographed and the background remains uniformly white. It is also a good idea to use manual mode so that you have full control over the exposure.
4. Post-production – Even with perfect settings and lighting, the background may need minor adjustments in post-production. Using tools such as Photoshop to manually remove any bumps or shadows can greatly improve the final result.

Find out more:

• Removing backgrounds from a photo online? Meet 6 AI apps

DIY solutions

For photographers on a tight budget, there are several DIY solutions for backgrounds:

• Cardboard background – A large white sheet of technical block or a sheet of cardboard can serve as a simple and inexpensive replacement for professional backgrounds.
• Fabric – A white sheet, well stretched and smoothed, can also serve effectively as a background, although it may require more work in post-production to remove any creases or bumps.
• Painting a wall – If you have a permanent studio space, painting one of the walls white can be a long-term solution.

Each of these solutions has its advantages and can be used effectively depending on your needs and available resources. Choosing the right background, tailored to the specifics of the product being photographed and the expectations of the viewer, is crucial to success in product photography.

Product Photography on E-Commerce Platforms (allegro, Amazon)

Image specifications required by major sales platforms

Product photographs on platforms such as Allegro or Amazon must meet certain requirements in order to be accepted and effective for sale.

Product presentation tips for your online shop

1. Use multiple photos from different sides – Show your product from different sides so the buyer can better evaluate the product. Add close-up photos of important product features, such as fastenings, fabric textures or decorative elements.
2. Photo quality – Make sure your photos are sharp and well lit. Use a sturdy tripod to avoid blurring and use appropriate lighting to highlight product details.
3. Consistency – Using a consistent presentation style for all products builds a professional brand image. Maintaining a consistent photo format, background and composition translates into better navigation and customer perception.
4. Lifestyle – Photographs featuring a product in use, whether on a model or in its natural environment of use, can greatly enhance the appeal of an offering. They enable customers to better imagine the product in their own lives.
5. Optimising images for SEO – Using descriptive, word-of-mouth file names and alt tags helps search engines better index images, which can increase traffic to a product page.

Examples of specific products and practical DIY solutions

For small businesses or start-up retailers that may not have a large budget for professional images, there are several DIY solutions:

• DIY backgrounds – A white sheet, cardboard or even white paper can serve as an effective background for product images.
• DIY lighting – Instead of investing in expensive lamps, you can use natural light or build your own light sources from cheaper LED lamps and diffusers made from transparent film or white material.
• DIY trip od – You can build a simple tripod out of PVC or use a stack of books to stabilise your phone or camera while shooting.

An example would be a shop mannequin that, when used as a model for a clothing demonstration, allows for consistent and professional-looking clothing images for a brand.

By following these guidelines, you can significantly increase the appeal of your products on e-commerce platforms, resulting in higher sales and a better perception of your brand by customers.

Product Image Cropping

Product image sparsing(cropping) – the process of removing the background to focus attention on the product itself. It is a key technique in e-commerce for better product presentation.

Manual vs. automatic sparring with AI

Manually cutting a product from the background using graphic editing software such as Adobe Photoshop. This process involves using tools such as the ‘Pen Tool’ to precisely draw a path around an object.

It allows very accurate and detailed cutting out, even for complex shapes and delicate details such as hair or transparent elements. However, it is very time-consuming and requires advanced skills and experience with graphics software.

Using advanced AI algorithms to automatically recognise and crop the product from the background. Tools such as remove.bg or Adobe Photoshop with the ‘Select Subject / Select Item’ option use machine learning technologies to streamline the process.

It is fast and efficient, ideal for product images with clearly defined edges. However, it can be less precise with more complex subjects. Manual adjustments are sometimes required.

Changing Background Colours

How do I effectively use editing to change the background in product photos?

Changing the background colour in product shots is a common practice in post-production to adapt images to different marketing or aesthetic contexts. The key aspect is to accurately crop the product from the original background.

1. Product cutting out:
   • Using tools like the ‘Magic Wand’ for uniform backgrounds or the ‘Pen Tool’ for more complex shapes is the first step. The ‘Pen Tool’ in Adobe Photoshop allows you to create a precise path around the object, which is particularly useful for irregular edges.
2. Creating a mask:
   • Once a product has been selected, it is best to create a layer mask, which allows you to easily invert and modify the selection without losing the original image. The mask also allows for smooth transitions and adjustments to the edges of the product.
3. Changing the background:
   • Once the product has been separated, a new background can be added by selecting the layer below the product. You can use solid colours, gradients or even other images to serve as the new background.

Recommended software and tools for image editing

• Adobe Photoshop, the leader in graphics editing, offers advanced selection and masking tools, as well as extensive options for changing backgrounds.
• GIMP – the free counterpart to Photoshop, offers many similar features, including selection and masking tools, although it may require more time to learn.
• Canva – less advanced than Photoshop, but good for quick background changes on simpler projects. Canva offers a background removal feature, which is available in the Pro version.

Tips for Beginner Photographers

How to optimise your product photography process

1. Planning your photo shoot – Before you start, make sure you have a clear plan as to what images are needed, what background will be used, and what will be most appropriate. For example, products, like , need sharp, directed light to highlight their brilliance and detail.
2. Setting up a suitable background – Simple backgrounds, such as white cardboard or canvas, can be very effective and easy to set up. Using a folding fabric background, available from photo shops, allows for quick set-up and storage.
3. Using the right lighting – Lighting should be even and appropriate to the type of product. Softboxes are ideal for most product applications as they provide an even, diffused light that minimises shadows.
4. Use of a tripod – A tripod is essential to ensure sharpness and consistency in your shots. For stable shots, you can also use a DIY tripod, made from boxes or other stable objects, if professional equipment is out of reach.

Mistakes to avoid with product photography

1. Failure to keep the product infocus – Make sure the product is always in focus, especially its key features. Use your camera’s autofocus function or, if you are having difficulty, manual focus to ensure key details are clear.
2. Poor composition:
   • Avoid framing that is too crowded or too empty. The centre of interest should be clear and well placed. It’s worth learning composition rules, such as the rule of thirds, which help to place objects aesthetically in the frame.
3. Inappropriate use of backgrounds:
   • The background should not distract from the product. Avoid using a brightly coloured or overly patterned background unless it is a conscious stylistic decision. A white or neutral background is usually a safe choice.
4. Insufficient or excessive lighting:
   • Too much light can overexpose photos and too little can underexpose them. Experiment with your camera settings and lighting to find the perfect balance.

Practical examples

• Jewellery photography – Use a black velvet background to enhance the colour and shine of silver or gold pieces. Lighting from the side will help highlight texture and detail.
• Garment photography – Photographing on a mannequin or model helps to show the cut and the way the fabric sits on the body. Use simple and good lighting to highlight colours and details.

Home Studio Management

Tips for organising and managing your workspace

1. Optimise your studio layout – Plan your space so that every element is easily accessible. Place photographic equipment in an area that is central and easily accessible from any point in the studio. For example, placing a product photography table in the centre allows easy access from all sides for different lighting settings.
2. Equipment storage – Use racks, cabinets and bins to organise photographic equipment and accessories. Labelling boxes and drawers with tools, lenses, cables and other small accessories allows you to quickly find the equipment you need.
3. Activity zones – Divide the studio into dedicated zones, such as a shooting area, an editing zone. This demarcation helps to keep things tidy and efficient.
4. Maintain cleanliness – Regular cleaning of the studio is key. Maintaining cleanliness on a regular basis, such as vacuuming and wiping dust off equipment, prevents damage and prolongs the life of equipment.

How to Make Your Photography Studio More Efficient

1. Scheduling photography sessions – Scheduling sessions and planning in advance helps you manage your time effectively. Use digital tools such as Google calendars or project management apps to coordinate deadlines and team availability.
2. Automate processes – Automate repetitive tasks such as data backup or photo archiving. Using file management software that automatically sorts and saves photos by date or session can significantly increase efficiency.
3. Training and team development – Invest in skills development. Regular training in the latest photographic techniques, equipment operation or software helps to keep the team up to date with trends and technology.
4. Use multi-functional equipment – Choose equipment that can serve multiple purposes. For example, versatile lighting that can be easily adapted for portrait, product and video photography adds versatility to the studio without the need to invest in specialised solutions.

Applying these strategies not only improves the efficiency of your studio, but also contributes to your wellbeing and increases your overall productivity. Managing workspace thoughtfully and systematically is key to the success of any professional photography studio.

As photographers venture into the realm of home studio photography, a well-thought-out home studio setup becomes indispensable. The right home studio equipment not only elevates the quality of images but also brings professionalism right into the comfort of their homes. When considering a photography studio in home, one must take into account not only the space but also the essential gear required for a comprehensive photo studio at home.

For those with a penchant for capturing stunning images, setting up a home photography studio is an adventure in creativity and technical prowess. With home photography lighting being a vital aspect, enthusiasts can experiment with various setups to illuminate their subjects just right, turning simple moments into memorable photographs.