Why You Don’t Need a Pro Photographer When Starting Out With Product Photos

As a new business owner, you know how crucial it is to manage your finances wisely. Between stocking up, setting up an online presence, and establishing your brand, hiring a professional photographer might seem like an unnecessary expense. However, here’s some good news: for product photography when you’re just starting out, it can actually be a savvy move to skip the professional photographer (that’s the TP—third party, if you’re wondering).

Here’s why you can absolutely do it yourself:

1. Smartphones are Seriously Good: Gone are the days when you needed a bulky DSLR to capture a great product photo. Most smartphones today, even mid-range ones, have cameras capable of taking sharp, well-lit images. With a bit of natural light and a steady hand, your phone can do wonders.

2. It’s All About Authenticity: People buy from people, not faceless corporations. By taking your own product shots, you add a personal and genuine touch to your branding. Customers appreciate seeing the real faces (and hands!) behind a business. Your photography doesn’t need to be flawless—just real.

3. You Learn What Works: Shooting your own photos allows you to experiment. Do your earrings look better on a patterned scarf or a plain background? Do your mugs look better next to a biscuit or filled with coffee? You’ll quickly discover what catches attention and can tweak your shots without waiting weeks for proofs from a third party.

4. Cost-Effective (Obviously): Let’s address the obvious—hiring a professional can be expensive, and you might not even need a large number of images when you’re just starting out. By doing it yourself, you can allocate those funds towards stock, marketing, or a really good brew.

5. The Internet is Your Mentor: The internet is a treasure trove of resources and inspiration. You can find tutorials, tips, and examples of product photography from professionals and enthusiasts alike. This can help you learn and improve your skills without the need for expensive courses or equipment.
Never taken a product shot before? No problem! There are plenty of free guides and YouTube tutorials available to help you set up simple backgrounds, use household lamps as lighting, or even create a home studio out of a cardboard box. Everything you need is at your fingertips.

Top Tips to Get Started:

• - Use natural light as much as possible.

• - Keep your background clean and simple.

• - Focus on what makes your product unique.

• - Edit lightly using free apps (but don’t go filter-mad!).

• - Practice, tweak, and stay consistent with your style.

When your business grows (and it will!), you might decide that bringing in a professional photographer is worth the investment for your next step. But for now, the best product photographer for your start-up is you! Embrace the DIY approach, enjoy the process, and let your products—and passion—shine.