How to Shoot Professional Product Images on Your iPhone

iPhone Product Photography 101: Because you're a maker, not a photographer!

So you’ve got a new product you’re proud of—maybe a fresh batch of handmade mugs, a delicate jewelry line, or a stack of dreamy notecards just begging to be shared. But you’ve already used up your photography budget for the quarter, and your phone is staring at you like, “Well, I am a camera too…”

Good news: You can shoot professional-looking product images on your iPhone. As a branding photographer based in Vermont, I’ve helped tons of small business owners—makers, creatives, and artists—capture their work in a way that’s both authentic and scroll-stopping. This at-home DIY guide will show you how to photograph your products with tools you already have, using your iPhone.

Let’s make your work look as amazing as it is.

Step 1: Let There Be (Good) Light

The #1 most important factor in taking professional-looking photos? LIGHT.

Here’s your new golden rule: Window light is your best friend.

Head to the room in your house that gets the most natural light. You want to place your setup right next to the window—not across the room. This keeps the light soft and avoids harsh shadows (including yours).

Pro tip:

Overcast days are actually perfect for photos. The clouds act like a giant softbox in the sky.
If the light is too harsh, just tape up a sheer curtain or white bedsheet to diffuse it. Instant studio vibes!

What to avoid:

Overhead lights or lamps.
Mixing light sources (natural + artificial) creates weird color tones. Stick with one!

Step 1B: Add a DIY Fill Light

Once your window light is set, you’ll notice that the side of your product opposite the window might fall into shadow. You can fix this without buying anything.

Grab a white piece of cardboard, foam board, or even a white pillowcase stretched over a box. Place it on the shadow side of your product, and boom—light bounces back, giving you a balanced, glowy photo.

Step 2: Style It Up

You’ve got great light. Now let’s talk scene setup.

Choose a Surface

Wood, stone, marble, linen—anything goes as long as it’s neutral and not distracting.
Don’t have a cute surface? Lay down a scarf, a napkin, a pillowcase, or even poster board.

Shoot the Product Alone First

Always start with clean, simple shots of your product by itself. This makes editing easier and gives you a solid baseline image for your website listings.

Add Props (If It Makes Sense)

Now, bring in the personality. Use items you already own that support your brand vibe:

Ceramics? Add a steaming mug of tea and a pastry.
Jewelry? Layer with a cozy sweater or a sprig of greenery.
Art prints? Include a brush, pen, or plant in the frame.

Ask yourself:
Does this prop enhance the product, or does it distract from it?
If it’s unclear—leave it out.

Step 2B: Use a Backdrop for Upright Products

Need your product to stand up? Here’s the hack:

Drape a white bedsheet or neutral fabric over the back of a chair, or tape it to the wall with painter’s tape.
Pile up books or boxes under it to give yourself a seamless surface that curves from horizontal to vertical.

This clean background helps your product pop—especially when paired with that soft natural light.

Step 3: Edit Like a Pro (Right on Your iPhone)

Editing is what takes your image from “nice” to next level. And you can do it all in your phone’s Photos app—no fancy software required.

Here’s a basic editing recipe I use when tweaking iPhone product images:

Exposure: + a little boost
Highlights: + (only if necessary)
Shadows: – slightly (adds depth)
Brilliance: + just a bit
Contrast: + (but easy does it—don’t lose detail!)
Vibrance: + a touch (instead of saturation)
Sharpen: + just enough to add clarity

Less is more. The goal is to enhance, not to alter. You want your product to look just as it does in real life.

Step 3B: Adjust Your iPhone Settings

Before you start snapping, tweak your iPhone’s camera settings for best results:

Settings > Camera > Formats: Select Most Compatible (saves photos at higher quality).
Turn on Grid: Helps you align your shots using the rule of thirds.
Turn on HDR: Boosts detail in shadows and highlights.
Use Volume Button to Shoot: Less shake, sharper images.

These tiny adjustments make a BIG difference in your final product photos.

Step 4: Post It and Get Paid!!

You did it—you took a product photo that’s bright, beautiful, and actually looks professional. Post that image on Instagram, Etsy, your website, or anywhere you sell your work.

Quick Recap:

Use window light and bounce cards for soft, flattering lighting.
Style with intention—props should support your product, not steal the spotlight.
Edit with a light touch to stay true to your brand’s aesthetic.
Make simple iPhone camera tweaks for better results.

Bonus Tips

Create a “photo corner” in your house where everything is easily accessible for future shoots.
Batch shoot! While everything is set up, take multiple angles and variations.
Reuse and repurpose—use the same photo across multiple platforms with different captions or crops.

If this iPhone Product Photography 101 crash course helped you bring your vision to life, I’d be thrilled to know.If you're intersted in learning more about photography- business, photo 101, how to use off camera flash or photoshop, I offering menorships!