Your iPhone has long been trusted to easily, efficiently, and quickly organize your entire life in a sleek product that fits in your pocket. With each newly updated iPhone, the camera gets better and better, so why use a bulky, expensive, (and often difficult) DSLR camera, when you have a high-quality one in your pocket? iPhone product photography Los Angeles is being used more and more to produce crisp, clean images for brands and products. Our team at LA Photo Team has created this list to help you become an iPhone product photography Los Angeles professional!
1.Clean Camera, Clean Shot
The best product photography Los Angeles professionals know that a clean camera equals a clean shot! The camera needs to be as clean as possible to capture the highest quality images. Always ensure that your camera lens is free of debris and smudges before shooting any product photos. The iPhone camera lens can be cleaned with a lens-cleaning solution and a microfibre cloth. (Pro-tip: If you have a glasses cleaning cloth, you can use this!)
2. Bring in the Light
Lighting is very important in photography, natural lighting works best. Here are a few lighting tips for product photography Los Angeles photographers use:
- if you are shooting from inside, you can utilize the light from windows, and can even enhance this with a simple light reflector.
- If you are shooting outside, utilize the sun to your best advantage, make sure as much light as possible is on the product, and it’s not falling in any shade or shadows. If you are using your reflector outdoors, use a silver or white reflector to angle the sunlight directly onto your product, illuminating it.
No matter what environment you’re shooting in, take note to stay away from any metallic materials when shooting on your iPhone, the glare or reflection created by them might create a distracting light flare. Always use light to your advantage!
3. Polished Product
Just as you want to keep your lens as clean as possible, your product should be in tip-top shape as well. Whatever it is that you’re selling, it should be as clean as possible; no one wants to buy a dirty pair of sneakers, right? Make sure your products are clean, polished, and looking their best for presentation to the public. As good as the iPhone camera is, it can only present the product as it is.
4. Professional Background
The background of your photo should be just that –– in the background. While it is less important for the background to appear in stand-alone product placement, such as on Amazon, if you are posting your products on social media, or your website, the background plays a key role in the overall aesthetic of your product and brand. Backgrounds need to work in harmony with your products, they should not be distracting, and should work to complement your product, and highlight them as the main focus. Decide what the tone of your product is, and go from there.
- For professional and sleek products, think naturals, such as marble, wood, and stone. You can find many background sheets in this style on Amazon for a low cost.
- For more feminine products, such as perfume or makeup, silk backgrounds are very popular. They give a soft feel and can be easily re-worked or manipulated in different shapes and forms.
- Finally, you can always use solid colors, or bright, neon colors as a backdrop to bring some light and excitement into your photo.
5. Invest in an iPhone Tripod- Stability is Key!
Blurry and out-of-focus images won’t make the cut for any type of product photography Los Angeles businesses would use. A tripod will always keep your camera stable, and guarantee a clear shot from any angle. Invest in one if you can, they can also be useful on the go, wherever and whenever you may need to shoot. This also eliminates manual interference that might come from shaky hands. Tripods are especially important when shooting tiny objects like bottled perfume, jewelry, or makeup products, as even a small shake of the hand can easily blur these close-up images. Not only should your camera remain steady, but so should your products. Choose services for your products that have little to no movement, as any kind of movement will cause a blurry photo. The best bet if you are shooting in the home is to use a stable kitchen counter or a very flat surface that isn’t going anywhere. You can even get creative, and use a piece of tape, sticky clay, or maybe a tilted shoe or leverage to get the best shot. Get creative with what you’ve got!
6. Stay away from Flash, Filters, and Zoom
iPhone cameras are very advanced, but you need to know their limitations to utilize them to their full advantage for product photography. Flashes, filters, and zooming severely lower image quality. Zooming in on the product on your iPhone can pixelate the image, lowering clarity. The filters that are built-in to your camera app may be fun for Instagram, but when it comes to product photography Los Angeles businesses can trust, keep it simple. The filters process the image, which lowers the quality.
- To get the zoomed-in photo you’re looking for without actually zooming in, try getting your phone closer to the image.
- To get a well-lit photo, try utilizing natural light, or external lights.
- Lastly, if you must edit your photo in post-production, try using editing software such as Adobe Lightroom, or one you can easily download onto your phone, so you are not altering the original image.
7. Shoot in a Light Box
For smaller products, you can invest in a lightbox. The product will be lit from all angles by LED lights, this is the maximum use of light for smaller products, allowing you to shoot them in great detail. There are dual openings on lightboxes, allowing you to get your iPhone inside of the box, and shoot a variety of angles without ever moving the product. Get up close and personal!
8. Work Those Angles
The best shots come from many different angles and varying close-ups, try not to box yourself into one angle only, variety is key. With your Iphone’s compact size, you’re able to move around the product to find many different angles, and create interesting, eye-catching shots, allowing your product to gain a personality. The iPhone camera processes the image very quickly, allowing you to shoot many images under time constraints –– let your creativity take charge.
9. Go the Distance with an Upgraded Lens
The iPhone has an incredible camera already, don’t be afraid to purchase an upgraded lens or wide-angle lens to utilize your camera fully. This will come in handy in your long-distance product photography. Think landscape, or placing your product in a scene. Maybe you’re shooting an entire team wearing your products in a lifestyle campaign, and you want to see the scenery. You can use a wide-angle lens on your iPhone, just as you could on a DSLR camera to capture the entire shot clearly.
10. Try a Turntable
Turntables aren’t just for DJs anymore! You can purchase a turntable for a low price, to be used in your product photoshoot. Place your product on the turntable, and you are able to get 360° photos of your product. Customers are 50% more satisfied buying products with 360° images, and spend 32% MORE time visiting the website as opposed to those without! The more customers can see of your product, the better.
11. Stay on Brand
Los Angeles is a playground for new brands and products, we can learn from the product photography Los Angeles brands publish follows one key rule: Strong Branding. Every good product maintains continuity. Here we are referring to a similar color scheme, props, font, mood, etc. Try to maintain a pattern for your photography, and replicate it for all of your products and shoots. If you use neutral backgrounds, stick with that for all of your photos. Consistency throughout your products and images will create trust, professionalism, and a voice for your products.
12. Use Complimentary Props
Product photography is often better off without props (remember –– keep it simple), but sometimes, they add the last finishing touch to create the perfect mood for your advertisement. Many small and simple props that fit your brand or product can be used in conjunction with the background and lighting, everything should fit together and be cohesive in the finished product. The benefit of shooting on your iPhone is that you can easily view the image you’ve created on screen with your props without ever clicking the shutter.
14. Use a Photo-Editor for Smartphones
Sometimes the photos need to be altered after they are taken. Maybe it was a very dark day when you took your photos, or the fluorescent lights of your office left you with a really washed-out photo. In this case, try using high-performing editing apps that you can download straight onto your iPhone, such as Snapseed, or Adobe Lightroom. Both apps allow you to have a hands-on approach to your photos with lots of fun, easy tools to use in the editing process. If this still isn’t fitting the bill, you can always look for professional, third-party photo editing services to complete your artwork to its fullest potential.
The iPhone is a clear choice for professional product photography Los Angeles eCommerce websites and brands trust. With the quality of your iPhone camera, its usability, and its compactness, you are able to shoot on the same level as a DSLR camera. These tips will allow you to make the best out of your iPhone, and your product. You can easily move your images onto social media and your website, straight from your iPhone, allowing anyone to take their brand to the next level. You don’t need to hire a photographer to get your professional photos of your products, simply follow these tips, pull out your iPhone, and get started!
About LA Photo Team
LA Photo Team is a photography and video production company for the modern age that specializes in creating remarkable visual content. In a digital world, we lead in producing the content our society runs on. We understand that each client has unique needs, and we customize the experience to meet those needs and send the message you want. If you are looking for the best product photography Los Angeles has to offer, contact the LA Photo team to create something innovative, and alluring.
