How to Take Great Product Photos with a Mobile Phone: A Guide for Startups

Sep 27, 2024 | Commercial/ Brand Campaign, Library Photography, Photography Classes, Product Photography

I have had the pleasure of being involved with Leeds BIPC for many years now, they have helped countless business to start up and flourish. I know this for a fact as I’ve photographed quite a few of the products of the people who have used this service.

This is an overview on my talk about how to get professional product photographs using the equipment that you have, this will typically be a mobile phone.

In my previous blog post I have written about what a professional photographer can do for you and your brand. You may think that this post goes against everything that I have said in that post, however for a startup, I (and the BIPC) fully appreciate that money is critical. You may not have the funds to pay a professional photographer just yet. I hope that with the advice of the BIPC and with this guide that your business will be a success, it is then that you may want to re read my previous blog regarding hiring a professional photographer.

In today’s digital age, high-quality product photography is essential for any business. Whether you’re launching a new startup or running a small business, your product photos play a key role in attracting customers and conveying the value of what you offer. Fortunately, you don’t need expensive gear to capture professional-looking images. With a mobile phone, the right techniques, and a bit of creativity, you can take stunning product photos that showcase your brand.

In this guide, we’ll explore tips for taking great product photos with your smartphone, focusing on essential photography techniques like the rule of thirds, leading lines, and the importance of lighting. In this post I will be using the same images shown in my lecture so let’s dive in!

1. Master the Rule of Thirds

The rule of thirds is one of the most fundamental composition techniques in photography. This principle involves dividing your image into nine equal parts using two horizontal and two vertical lines. By placing your subject along these lines or at their intersections, you create a balanced and visually pleasing composition.

Many classic artists, including Leonardo da Vinci and Rembrandt, used the rule of thirds to structure their paintings. This technique draws the viewer’s eye naturally to the most important elements of the image, giving it a sense of harmony.

To use the rule of thirds in your mobile photography:

  • Enable the grid: Most smartphones have a grid option in the camera settings. Turn it on to help you align your product with the lines.
  • Position the product: Place your product along one of the vertical or horizontal lines or at the intersection points to create a more engaging composition.

2. Use Leading Lines to Guide the Viewer

Leading lines are another powerful composition tool. These are lines within an image that naturally draw the viewer’s eyes toward the subject. You can find leading lines in the environment around you, such as the edges of a table, the lines of packaging, or even shadows.

To use leading lines in product photography:

  • Find lines in the background: Position your product so that natural lines in the environment (such as table edges or fabric creases) guide the viewer’s eyes toward the product.
  • Create lines with props: Arrange accessories or product elements in a way that frames the product and leads attention to it.

3. Lighting: The Photographer’s Paintbrush

Just as painters use brushes to create atmosphere and mood, photographers use light to achieve similar effects. Lighting is crucial in product photography because it helps define the product’s shape, texture, and quality.

For new businesses taking product photos with a mobile phone, the key is to use a soft, diffused light source. Harsh lighting can create unwanted shadows and reflections, which distract from your product.

Here’s how to achieve great lighting:

  • Natural light: Use natural light by positioning your product near a window, but avoid direct sunlight, which can be too harsh. You can soften it by hanging a white sheet or thin curtain over the window.
  • DIY diffuser: If you’re using artificial light, place a white piece of paper or cloth between the light and the product to diffuse it.
  • Golden hour: If shooting outdoors, aim for the golden hour (the hour after sunrise or before sunset) to get soft, warm lighting that enhances the product’s details.
  • Use the largest, softest most diffused light source you have. When using a tripod on manual settings you can use a less bright light source than you may think. Diffusion is the key here.

an example of the photographic rule- 'rule of thirds' The image is divided by a grid overlay. The photo is in black and white.

An elderly woman with white hair walks along a seaside promenade, using a cane for support. She wears a red skirt and pink cardigan. The bright sun shines on the sparkling sea in the background, creating a serene and peaceful atmosphere.
A person dressed in black walks on a sidewalk while holding a pink umbrella. The background features a plain, light-colored wall with the TSP Studios logo in the bottom right corner.

Below is a selection of my photographs-

During my talk I covered some of my thought processes and influences when taking my photographs for Tim Simpson Photography. One of the great things about photography is that mistakes are great and rules are there to be broken.

To me if you are not making mistakes you are not pushing yourself forward, breaking your own boundaries. Put yourself out of your comfort zone. I try to learn something every time I pick up a camera, even after over 25 years and a million photographs. It keeps things fresh. Another technique i like to use is shooting through things. I.E put something in the foreground and shoot through/past it. It gives an interest, more depth and a feeling of ‘looking in’ on the subject.

Break the rules.

The following is selection of some of my work, some brand photography, automotive photography, weddings and personal images.

Again rules are definitely there to be broken, the rule of thirds is a brilliant aesthetic rule, I seem to use it without thinking, it just feels right. However not every image benefits from this, see if you can spot when the rules are used and when they aren’t –

(tutorial continues below the images)

A red vintage sports car is parked on the side of an empty, curving road. The perspective is from ground level, focusing on the car in the distance with the road's white center line leading up to it. There are wooden guardrails on the right side.
A stunning long-exposure photo captures a mesmerizing light trail twisting above a race track as twilight sets in, with a purple and orange sky. The track curves to the right, lined with red and white curbs, and framed by dark silhouettes of trees.
A long-exposure photo showing a row of dark vertical structures gradually fading into the distance, against a backdrop of blurred white and blue hues, giving a dreamy, ethereal effect. The image has the text "TSP Studios" in the bottom right corner.
A black-and-white photo of a couple holding hands on a path by a wooden fence that stretches into the distance. The couple stands towards the left, while the path and fence create a leading line that draws the eye towards them. "TSP Studios" is visible in the lower right corner.
A black and white photo of a motorcyclist performing a jump on a vintage scooter. The rider, dressed in racing gear and helmet, is airborne with the scooter tilted slightly forward, against a blurred background. The logo "TSP Studios" is visible in the bottom right corner.
A modern locker room with gray concrete walls and lockers featuring digital keypads. Tan upholstered benches run along both sides of the room. The ceiling has recessed lighting and an emergency exit sign glows in the background. "TSP Studios" logo is visible in the corner.
A red Audi RS3 speeds down a country road flanked by barren trees. The sun sets in the background, casting a warm glow over the scene. A TSP Studios watermark is in the bottom right corner.
A man and a woman stand side by side on a concrete pathway between two walls. The woman wears a flowing green dress, and the man is dressed in dark casual clothes. Birds are flying in the cloudy sky above, and trees can be seen in the background. "TSP Studios" is seen at the bottom right.
A bride and groom stand hand-in-hand on a cobblestone street in a historic city. Both are wearing face masks. The groom is in a dark suit, and the bride is in a white gown. Pedestrians, some blurred in motion, walk by on either side of the street.
A bearded man wearing a hairnet on his head and a black shirt with a wheat graphic is working in a brewery. He is looking attentively at a metal vat with steam rising from it, surrounded by brewing equipment. The logo "TSP Studios" is visible in the bottom right.
A worker wearing a white helmet, orange safety vest, and protective glasses operates a Jungheinrich forklift in an industrial warehouse. They are transporting goods wrapped in clear plastic. The environment features large bags and pillars painted in green and yellow.
A worker wearing a white helmet and safety vest operates machinery in an industrial setting. They hold a long tool and are surrounded by dark, industrial equipment with piles of processed material. The logo "TSP Studios" appears in the bottom-right corner.
Two red Openfield trucks are parked in front of a large industrial warehouse under a partly cloudy sky. The scene includes additional industrial buildings and equipment in the background. The logo "TSP Studios" is visible in the bottom right corner.
A worker in a high-visibility vest and hard hat operates a large hose, loading grain into a long red truck parked at an agricultural facility. The scene appears to be an indoor area with parts of machinery and structures in the background. The image is marked "TSP Studios.
A person wearing a black cap and a black shirt with the word "Openfield" stands in front of a large red industrial machine, possibly a grain trailer. The person is also wearing a high-visibility pink safety vest. The photo is labeled with a "TSP Studios" logo.
A worker in a white protective suit and orange safety vest operates equipment in an industrial setting. The worker is wearing a hard hat with an attached flashlight and safety glasses. Numerous cables and machinery components are visible in the foreground.
A person operates a forklift in a large, dimly-lit warehouse. Stacks of pallets loaded with boxes fill the shelving units up to the ceiling on both sides of the aisle. The floor is partially visible, while the TSP Studios logo is in the bottom right corner.
A person wearing a hard hat and safety vest inspects a large tank filled with bubbling liquid and a pile of solid material at an industrial facility. Pipes and equipment are visible in the background. The image is branded with a "TSP Studios" logo.
A worker in high-visibility gear and a hard hat examines one of two large industrial machines in a dimly lit facility. The machines both have multiple round openings. A control panel sits between them. TSP Studios logo is present at the bottom right.
A forklift operator moves a pallet of packaged paper products into the back of a red truck inside a warehouse. In the foreground, there are stacks of similar packaged goods. Sunlight streams in from an open door, illuminating the scene.
A close-up shot of a paper towel or toilet paper manufacturing line. Multiple paper rolls are aligned in rows on a conveyor belt system. Red clamps and metal bars are visible, holding and guiding the rolls through the machinery. The image has a TSP Studios watermark.
A man wearing a cap and work gloves operates a large roll of material on an industrial machine in a factory. The background contains numerous vertical rolls of similar material. The image is credited to JSP Studios.
A brightly colored green and yellow package of toilet paper with cartoon graphics moves along an industrial conveyor belt in a manufacturing plant. The background is blurred, showing various equipment and more packaged products. The TSP Studios logo is in the bottom right.
A man sits at a conference table working on a laptop. There are packages of paper products, including toilet paper, in the foreground. He is dressed in a suit and the background features a gray office setting. A phone is also on the table.
A woman wearing glasses and a green hijab smiles while typing on a laptop at an office desk. She is seated in a black leather chair, and there are a pencil holder, a telephone, and toilet paper packages on the desk and window sill. A logo in the corner reads "TSP Studios.
An elderly man wearing a red safety vest and glasses is holding a clipboard and smiling. He is standing in what appears to be a warehouse filled with stacked packages of toilet paper. The image includes a piece of machinery in the foreground.
A woman lays on a yoga mat, resting her head on her hands with a serene expression. She's in a room with wooden floors and a plain white wall. Nearby, there are some yoga props, including a small statue and a few colorful items. The logo "TSP Studios" is in the corner.
A person wearing a black wetsuit stands in a lake, smiling, with two black and white dogs nearby. The landscape features lush green hills and a forested area in the background. The scene is serene and appears to be part of a nature outing.
A person with short dark hair sits on a rock overlooking a lush, hilly landscape with two black and white dogs, one sitting next to them and the other standing nearby. The scene is serene, with vibrant greenery and a small valley visible in the distance.
Aerial view of a person walking a small dog along a winding dirt path surrounded by dense green shrubs and trees. The scene is serene, with natural greenery on both sides of the path. The TSP Studios logo is visible in the bottom right corner.
timsimpsonphotography@gmail.com
A classic black convertible car with chrome accents is parked on a country road under a blue sky with scattered clouds. The car’s sleek design is highlighted by the low-angle shot. Tall grass lines the road, adding a natural backdrop. The photo includes a watermark reading "TSP Studios" at the bottom-right corner.
A classic red convertible sports car with a license plate reading "529 XYA" is speeding down a rural road. The background features blurred greenery and trees, indicating motion. The image is credited to TSP Studios in the bottom right corner.
timsimpsonphotography@gmail.com
A bald man wearing sunglasses and a green jacket sits on a vintage motorcycle in a grassy field during sunset. The backdrop features rolling hills under a colorful sky. The image has a logo "TSP Studios" in the bottom right corner.
timsimpsonphotography@gmail.com
A bearded man with tattoos and a headband shovels grains into a large sack in a dimly lit brewery. Steam rises from a metal vat in the background, and multiple sacks are placed on the ground nearby. He is wearing a T-shirt with text and gloves. The image is watermarked with "TSP Studios.
A man with a beard and mustache, wearing a black polo shirt with a Muntons logo on the left side of the chest, stands smiling. He has a tattoo on his left arm. The background is blurred, and the TSP Studios logo is in the bottom right corner of the image.
A person with long, blonde hair is smiling and standing in a dimly lit indoor setting. They are wearing a black T-shirt with white illustrations of hops, a flower, a plant, and a beer glass. The logo "TSP Studios" is visible in the bottom right corner.
A vintage scooter with a racing number 47 and several stickers is parked on a dark background. Behind it, a spectacular long-exposure light effect creates swirling circles of bright orange light, adding dynamic motion to the scene. The image is credited to TSP Studios.
A serene lake at sunset with trees reflecting on the calm water. An illustrated, cartoon-like creature with wide eyes and tentacle-like arms peeks out from the water's surface. The image is branded with "TSP Studios" in the bottom right corner.
A family of four, consisting of two adults and two children, stand together smiling in the dark. They wear winter jackets, and an arch of red light streaks forms a frame around them. The logo “TSP Studios” is displayed in the lower right corner.
A green vintage sports car is parked inside an old, dimly lit brick building. Behind the car, neon green light streaks form abstract patterns, creating a dynamic and artistic background. The logo "TSP Studios" is visible in the bottom right corner.
timsimpsonphotography@gmail.com
A striking long-exposure nighttime photograph shows a spiral of bright white lights hovering over a serene river with stepping stones. The sky glows with a warm orange hue, and dark silhouettes of trees frame the background. "TSP Studios" is branded in the lower right corner.
A wooden dock extends into a calm lake under a twilight sky. A heart shape is created with a light trail at the end of the dock. Silhouetted trees line the horizon. In the bottom-right corner, "TSP Studios" is written in a semi-transparent circle.
A woman in a flowing, light beige gown stands on a rustic path with a cloudy sky and flock of birds above. Trees line the horizon, creating a dramatic backdrop. She holds a bouquet of flowers and greenery, and the train of her dress sweeps gracefully behind her.
Two women in wedding dresses lie side by side on a patch of green grass, nestled in a garden. Festoons with white triangular flags hang above them, framing the scene. The women hold hands, and the surrounding area features gravel paths and various plants. TSP Studios watermark is in the bottom-right corner.
A couple stands in a vast, sunlit wheat field, sharing a kiss. The man holds the woman, who has a bouquet of flowers. The golden field stretches out behind them with clear blue skies overhead. "TSP Studios" is visible in the bottom right corner of the image.
TSP>07790787732
Silhouetted against a bright blue sky with lens flare, a blurry image shows a bride in a gown and groom in a suit holding hands on a hill. The sun is low, casting light from the horizon. "TSP Studios" is visible in the bottom right corner.
A dimly lit tunnel with illuminated fluorescent lights on the ceiling and an open, bright exit at the end. Two distant figures are walking towards the exit, silhouetted against the light. The TSP Studios logo is in the bottom right corner.
TSP>07790787732
A man in a suit and a woman in a white dress, holding a large bouquet of flowers, pose in an abandoned, dilapidated building. The man stands with one hand on a suitcase, while the woman sits beside it on the ground, surrounded by scattered debris.
A person is floating on their back in a swimming pool, with only their legs sticking straight up out of the water. The pool is on a rooftop, with a modern building in the background and a cloudy sky overhead. An empty lounge chair and a staircase are also visible.
A white jar of face cream is captured mid-splash in crystal-clear water against a black background, creating an energetic explosion of droplets around it. The text "TSP Studios" is visible in the lower right corner.
A jar of cream is placed at the center of a splatter of white powder on a vibrant blue marbled background. The jar's label reads "Cream Absolute." The bottom right corner features the text "TSP Studios" in a translucent oval shape.
A small jar of skin cream, labeled "Cream Absolute," is centered amid concentric ripples on a smooth water surface. The scene conveys a sense of tranquility and the product's effectiveness. The image is branded with "TSP Studios" in the bottom right corner.
A jar of cream sits on a piece of driftwood adorned with white blossoms. The background features a gray, textured surface with additional branches of white flowers. The words "TSP Studios" are visible in the bottom right corner.
A sleek, pink skincare serum bottle stands upright in the center of a rippling pool of liquid. The bottle features a dropper cap, and the background is a warm, soft gradient of pink hues. The label on the bottle reads "Serum Absolut." TSP Studios logo is seen.

Hope you enjoyed looking at some of my work.

As discussed in my talk AI is now a part of photography, the above were shot in my studio and then given the AI treatment . You will though always need to have a good quality, well exposed image of your product, with good colour rendition. Below is a quick overview of what we discussed during the lecture.

For more on AI please read my blog post detailing the above cosmetics shoot-HERE

I hardly ever trust the exposure that my expensive pro camera tells me is correct, I override this by using exposure compensation. You can do this on a phone too. Looking at the images below, the camera is trying to expose for the sky, therefore loosing detail in the subject, we want the subject to be correctly exposed, we may have to sacrifice the background but its the subject we are interested in.

The image(s) immediately below image is an example of how to override your phones exposure. without doing that, the flowers would have been very dark.

A smartphone screen displays a camera interface focusing on delicate pink flowers with slender stems, set against a blurred background including a tall, pointed building. The focal area is circled in red. Various camera mode options are visible at the bottom.
A metal sculpture of an arm and hand holding a raised book titled "For The Women" is set against a backdrop of modern buildings. The statue is located in a public square with trees and open space, and the sky appears clear and bright. A logo for TSP Studios is in the bottom right corner.
A close-up of a bronze sculpture's hand holding a sign that reads "Votes for Women." The backdrop includes modern buildings, a few trees, and a clear sky. The sculpture's hand is detailed, showing sharp edges and textures. The image is credited to TSP Studios.
A person with shoulder-length brown hair and glasses is standing outdoors on grass. They are smiling and wearing a floral and polka dot shirt with blue jeans. Trees and bushes are visible in the background. The bottom right corner has a watermark that reads "TSP Studios.
A person with shoulder-length hair and glasses stands outdoors on grass, smiling at the camera. They wear a blue shirt with a mixed floral and polka dot pattern, tucked into high-waisted jeans. Shrubs and trees are visible in the background. Text at the bottom reads "TSP Studios.

During the lecture I used a tripod and clamp to hold the phone steady. Use the self timer to take the photo to eliminate camera shake when you press the shutter button.

Use the manual settings and the grey card to lock in the correct exposure and colour balance.

If you don’t have Lightroom use the WB- White Balance setting on your camera. Scroll through the various setting i.e cloudy, daylight, shadow etc infill the image on your camera resembles the grey card. You could use auto white balance, see if it matches the grey card (below).

A photography setup with a gray calibration card on a table, surrounded by white backdrop material. A smartphone on a tripod is positioned to capture the card. The background has framed artworks and shelves with various items. The scene appears to be in a studio.
A smartphone on a tripod stand is capturing an image of a gray and white focus target placed in the background. The screen of the phone shows the target in focus. The logo "TSP Studios" is visible in the bottom right corner of the image.
A room with large multi-paned windows features an assortment of potted plants on the windowsill. There's a framed picture leaning against the wall, a radiator under the windows, and a chair in the corner. In the foreground, a table holds an unfinished sculpture.
A photo setup in a studio features a lamp on the left, a framed light source, a mannequin head with a pink top and blushing cheeks, and a rectangular light panel on the right. The table has a "TSP Studios" logo at the bottom right corner.
A mannequin head is positioned in the center of a studio setup. It is illuminated by a desk lamp on the left and flanked by reflective surfaces on either side to control lighting. The scene is arranged on a wooden table against a white background.

4. Use an 18% Grey Card for Perfect Exposure and Colour

An 18% grey card is an invaluable tool for getting accurate exposure and color balance in your product photography. This card reflects 18% of the light, which is the average value that most cameras use to determine correct exposure. Using it ensures that your product photos won’t be over- or under-exposed, and the colors will appear more natural.

Here’s how to use it:

  1. Place the grey card in the same lighting setup as your product.
  2. Use your phone’s camera to take a photo of the grey card.
  3. Use this photo as a reference to adjust your exposure settings (if your phone allows manual adjustments) or color balance in editing apps like Adobe Lightroom or Snapseed.
  4. Use manual settings, this way the exposure and the colour balance of your subject will not change

By incorporating an 18% grey card into your workflow, you ensure consistent and professional-looking product images.

5. Optimize Your Background and Props

Your product should be the star of the image, but the background and props play an important supporting role. Choose a background that complements your product without distracting from it. Plain backgrounds, such as white, light grey, or neutral tones, are often best for product photography because they allow your product to stand out.

Tips for creating the right background:

  • Clean and simple: Keep the background simple so that it doesn’t overwhelm the product.
  • Props that tell a story: Use minimal props that enhance the narrative of your product. For example, if you’re photographing artisanal coffee, include coffee beans or a cup, but avoid clutter.
  • Consistent style: Make sure your background and props are consistent with your brand’s style and aesthetic.
  • Paper backgrounds like the ones demonstrated in the talk are relatively cheap, you can even make your own.

6. Editing Your Photos for a Polished Finish

Once you’ve captured your photos, the final step is editing. Use apps like Snapseed, VSCO, or Lightroom Mobile to enhance your images. You can:

  • Adjust brightness and contrast to make your product pop.
  • Fix color balance using the grey card reference image.
  • Crop to refine your composition, ensuring the rule of thirds is followed.
  • Select the subject in Lightroom to sharpen and increase contrast etc of your subject. You can also invert the selection to work on the background. Simply up the exposure to get a pure white background, blur the background or change colour etc.
  • A Vignette works well to draw the eye into the subject.

Remember not to over-edit. Keep the adjustments natural and true to the product.

There are a host of AI apps and programmes available to give you any background you can dream of. You still have to photograph your product faithfully initially however, this will never change.

Final Thoughts

Taking professional-looking product photos with a mobile phone is entirely possible with the right approach. By mastering the rule of thirds, using leading lines, and understanding how lighting can enhance your images, you can create visually stunning product photos that resonate with your audience. Don’t forget to use tools like the 18% grey card to get the best possible exposure and color accuracy.

As a startup, these techniques will help you create compelling product imagery that elevates your brand and engages your customers. Start experimenting with your mobile camera today, and watch your product photos shine!

By following these tips, you’ll be well on your way to mastering mobile product photography and giving your business the visual presence it deserves.

At TSP studios I give group and private tuition on all types of photography. Please get in touch to discuss your needs.

To visit the rest of our blogs click Commercial/ Brand Campaign, Library Photography, Photography Classes, Product Photography

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