Selling tips
How to take product photos with your phone that make people buy
You don't need a studio. Use window light, a plain background and a few simple habits to make your products look clear, honest and worth buying.
October 3, 2026 · 3 min read
In an online shop, the photo is the product. Customers cannot touch it, hold it or try it on. They decide in a second, based on the picture. The good news is that a modern phone camera is all you need. What matters is light, background and consistency.
1. Use daylight from a window
Light makes the biggest difference.
- Place the product next to a window, in bright daylight but not direct sun.
- Turn off the room lights. Mixed light makes colours look wrong.
- Do not use the flash. It creates harsh shadows and shiny spots.
- Avoid shooting at night. If you must, use a lamp with a white bulb and keep it consistent.
If the sun is very strong, hang a thin white curtain or sheet over the window to soften it.
2. Pick a simple background
A plain background keeps attention on the product.
- A white sheet, a large piece of paper or card, or a clean table all work.
- Use the same background for every product, so your shop looks tidy and professional.
- Keep clutter out of the frame. No cables, no packaging, no stray objects.
For small items, lean a large sheet of paper against a wall and let it curve down onto the table. This makes a smooth background with no hard line.
3. Clean the lens and hold steady
It sounds obvious, but a fingerprint on the lens is the most common cause of blurry, hazy photos. Wipe it with a soft cloth before you start.
Rest your elbows on the table, or lean the phone against a stack of books, so it does not shake. Tap the product on screen to focus, and wait for the picture to sharpen before you press the button.
4. Take several photos of every product
One photo is rarely enough. Aim for three to five:
- A clear main photo from the front
- The back or side
- A close-up of the detail or material
- The product in use, or next to something that shows its size
- Each colour or size option
Customers who can see the item clearly ask fewer questions and are more confident ordering.
5. Be honest about colour and size
The fastest way to get a refund request is a photo that does not match the real item. Check that the colours look right on your phone screen. If a size is hard to judge, put a common object next to it (a hand, a coin or a ruler), and write the measurements in the description.
6. Keep a consistent style
Use the same angle, the same background and the same crop for products in the same category. When customers scroll your shop, consistent photos look like a real brand. Square photos work well on both phones and computers.
7. Edit lightly
Your phone's built-in editor is enough. Straighten the image, crop out the edges, and raise the brightness a little if it looks dim. Avoid heavy filters, which change the colours of your product.
Upload straight from your phone
You can take photos and upload them directly from your phone in the Inventory page, so there is no need for a computer. After you add a product, write a short, clear description with the price, size and material. If you are choosing prices, read how to price your products.