Nobody Taught Us Product Photography Either

We’re going to let you in on a secret (that’s probably not a secret): two weeks ago, our product photos were taken on a kitchen counter with overhead lighting and a prayer.

Here’s what we’ve learned so far:

Ring light + wool ironing pad = instant “professional.”

We bought a $15 web cam ring light years ago and set up a couple wool ironing pads. Suddenly everything looks like it belongs on a website. Which is good, because it’s literally on a website. But I learned that a sheet that’s stretched really tight works too!

Ribbons make everything feel like a gift.

Our towel rolls look fine on their own. Tie them with a ribbon and suddenly they look like something you’d pay twice as much for. Presentation is a scam and we are running it.

Have a friend that’s a photographer.

Not so you can bug them for free labor, but so you can bug them for advice constantly.

Your phone is fine.

We shoot everything on an iPhone. No fancy camera, no Lightroom, no presets. Just decent lighting and a (mostly) steady hand.

If you’re starting a small business and stressing about photos — stop. Plain backdrop, ring light, phone. That’s it. The rest is just practice and swearing.
— Pinky