A collage of different product photography images.

Top 25 Product Photography Ideas To Get Creative

14 min read

Well-executed product photography ideas can really make your products shine, attract potential buyers, and boost sales in big numbers.

Unbelievable, right?

Here’s an interesting fact:

Slazzer reports that 50% of online buyers prefer big, clear photos, which provide them more value in comparison to descriptions or reviews.

So, it would be smart to say that the product photos leave a huge impact. They undoubtedly matter much more than text.

That’s why, having some creative ideas for product photography by your side comes in handy. These ideas help you make your product stand out more in the ever-competitive market.

This blog post features 25 best ideas that work for photographing a wide and diverse range of products.

But, before we begin with our list, let’s quickly understand what product photography is. 

Trust us, it’ll be worthwhile!

What is product photography

Product photography is all about showcasing your products in a visually appealing manner that entices potential customers to make a purchase. It involves taking high-quality images of your product items in the ideal settings, highlighting their unique features and details.

Let us give you two simple examples to make what we mean clearer:

Example 1: 

Imagine, you have an online store selling handmade jewelry.

Now, what will happen when you share a well-captured photo in a suitable scene? It will show off the craftsmanship beautifully. 

On the other hand, what do you think will happen when you click and share a blurry or dull photo in a boring setting? It will make your customers scroll right past, and even no looking back.

Example 2: 

Similarly, fashion brands can feature their clothing products in life-like settings or on models. This helps their customers better visualize the products’ styles and fits.

All in all, we can say that the professional or creative background ideas for product photography when captured well, they sell! 

They don’t just display your product in front of the customers; they make them want and finally buy the product.

Now that we’ve discussed what product photography is, let’s jump onto the top ideas.

Top 25 creative product photography ideas

Did you know?

According to a 2023 Deloitte study, almost 83% of consumers rely on product images. They consider it the main factor in making their purchase decision.

This highlights just how essential it is to have product photos. And, a great product photoshoot can really make a major difference.

So, here are our top 25 ideas for photographing your products and making them shine!

Flat lay composition

Arrange your product item on a flat surface. Then, capture it directly from above. This will give a clean and organized look. 

This flay lay composition is ideal when you want to showcase one or more items at once with a polished, cohesive appeal. Give this a go for your accessories, small gadgets, or clothing product photography ideas.

Flat-lay clothing product photo.

Use of reflections

Place your product on a reflective surface like glass or water. This technique creates a striking mirror effect that adds depth and enhances visual interest. 

As a result, your product appears dynamic and luxurious, drawing the immediate attention of the customers. 

It works wonders in the case of watches, high-end gadgets, and jewelry product photography.

Jewelry product photography on a reflective surface, that is, glass.

Close-up shots

If your goal is to emphasize your product’s details, we suggest capturing its close-up.

This idea is ideal for presenting those small product items with fine craftsmanship. It diverts attention to the quality and detail of your product, creating a sense of premium value.     

Use it for spot-on photography of products, such as jewelry, watches, or textured fabrics. 

A close-up product shot of a watch.

Contextual settings

Position your product in a context, i.e., a setting where it would naturally be used. 

This allows customers to envision it as a part of their everyday lives. The product becomes much more relatable and practical to them. 

It is perfect for shooting lifestyle products that need a contextual presentation. 

For instance, show a beach towel on the sand or a lamp on a bedside table to illustrate their contexts and usage. 

A contextual product shot of a lamp on a bedside table.

Action shot

Showcase your product with an action or movement taking place. This lively presentation tends to add more energy to the image, making it exciting and engaging. 

Such a shot is especially effective for sports equipment. Using the same, you can also photograph fashion accessories.

An action shot of a product, showcasing a person playing with a soccer ball.

High-key lighting

High-key lighting involves using bright, even lighting that removes any shadows. As a result, your product gives off a fresh, vibrant, and clean appearance. 

This idea is perfect for showcasing product items that require a crisp, modern appeal. 

For example, the high-key lighting works exceptionally well for your tech gadgets, kitchen appliances, or beauty product photography ideas.

A product picture of a kitchen appliance, that is, a kettle, in high-key lighting.

Low-key lighting

Making use of the low-key, i.e., minimal, focused lighting is great when you wish to create a product shot with dramatic shadows and highlights. 

This approach infuses a sense of mystery and luxury into the scene. 

If you are planning to do high-end watches or perfume photography, this is a well-suited idea. The dark background accentuates the product, boosting its visual appeal.

 A product photoshoot of a perfume in low-key lighting.

Floating effect

Create a floating effect product shot by suspending it mid-air using invisible strings. Or, you can toss and capture it. 

This is a creative and playful way to add whimsy and ensure your product stands out distinctively. 

It’s ideal for lightweight items or tech products.

A product photo of a mobile phone with the floating effect.

Textured surface

Arrange your product on a textured surface like wood, marble, or fabric, which adds contrast and visual interest. 

Textured surfaces tend to bring out the material qualities of the product, further enhancing its realism and appeal. 

This approach is particularly effective for products with natural or handcrafted details. Utilize it to perform a striking jewelry or bag photoshoot.

A product shot of a leather bag on a textured surface of a fabric.

Monochromatic color scheme

A monochromatic color scheme relies on making use of one color and its various shades, tints, and tones. 

In your product photos, this approach develops a sense of unity and harmony. It draws attention to the product while ensuring the overall design remains balanced and sophisticated. 

In the end, you get a cohesive and elegant-looking product shot.

A product picture of a red heel in the monochromatic color scheme.

Minimalist approach

If you are opting for a minimalist style, keep the background plain and free of distractions. Focus solely on the product when capturing. 

This minimalist approach makes the product’s sleek design notable. Therefore, it’s perfect for displaying product items that symbolize simplicity and elegance. 

Thinking of eyewear, footwear, skincare products, or book product photography ideas? Go minimal!

A minimal product photography of a notebook and a pen.

Use of smoke or fog

Introduce a smoke or fog effect in your product shot to add mystery and elegance. 

The gentle flowing nature of the smoke or fog infuses a dramatic, dreamy quality into the photo. This enhances your product’s allure and overall visual presence.

Pick this idea without a second thought when capturing luxury items like high-end watches, fine jewelry, or premium spirits or wines.

A product shot of a wine bottle with the fog in the background.

Use neon or LED lighting

Illuminate your product photoshoot scene with colored neon or LED lights for a modern, edgy look. 

The vibrant lighting adds a dynamic, contemporary feel to your product’s image.

It’s suited for capturing tech gadgets, gaming equipment, or nightlife-related items. 

A product image of a gaming console with a neon-lit background.

Geometric patterns

Incorporate geometric shapes or patterns in your product’s background to give a structured look. 

Clean lines and symmetry boost the product’s visibility, giving the overall composition a modern and organized appeal. 

Use it for tech products, furniture, or design-oriented items. You won’t regret it!

A furniture product photoshoot of a table with a background of geometric shapes.

Product in use

Display your product being used by a person. 

This effectively demonstrates the product’s practical features and functionality. The customers get to envision themselves using the product easily. 

It’s the best for photographing everyday items, tools, gadgets, equipment, or products emphasizing usability.

A product-in-use shot of a woman using headphones.

Soft focus

Use a shallow depth of field to keep the product in sharp focus. Softly blurring the background sets the product apart and creates an elegant look.

This technique directs the customers’ eyes directly onto the product.

If you are seeking some outstanding beauty or food product photography ideas, this one can definitely help!

A beauty product photo with a soft blurred background.

Props interaction

Carefully choose and incorporate props that create a meaningful context, complementing your product. 

Remember, these props should support your product, enhance its appeal, and emphasize its specific features rather than dominating the entire scene.

Utilize this idea to photograph pet or personal care products, as well as equipment.

A product shot of painting brushes with canvases as props in the background.

Still life

Place your product on a clean, uncluttered surface. This puts focus on its details and premium quality nature. 

Conduct a jewelry, luxury gadgets, or home decor product photoshoot in a still-life setting. You’ll be amazed by the output!

A vase, for instance, will look beautiful against a clean backdrop.

A product picture of a vase in the still-life theme with a clean backdrop.

Outdoor settings

Shoot your product in natural outdoor settings like a garden or beach to benefit from the natural light and surroundings.

This idea delivers a catchy product shot giving off a fresh and vibrant feel. 

These qualities make it perfect for photographing items like hiking boots, sustainable water bottles, or garden tools.

A product image of water bottles in an outdoor setting.

Color pop

Select a vibrant, contrasting background to make your product stand out at the very first sight. It emphasizes the product’s vivid hues. 

When capturing colorful accessories, fashion items or apparel, toys, art supplies, or stationery, this color-pop background idea generates remarkable results.

It also works well as a holiday-themed product shoot idea. For example, use this approach as Christmas product photography ideas and prepare to be amazed. 

A product shot of a train toy against a color-pop background.

360-degree views

Take photos of the product from all angles to provide a comprehensive view. It allows customers to appreciate the product’s design and features from every perspective. 

This method is especially useful for online products, compensating for the lack of touch. 

Click 360-degree views of products like furniture, electronics, or fashion items and then compile them using a specialized tool.

 A collage of product shots captured from all angles for a 360-degree view.

Creative angles

Experiment with various angles, such as from below or above, when capturing your product. Such angles provide a distinct viewpoint to the customer, enhancing your product’s visibility and uniqueness.

Try a creative angle to showcase artistic sculptures or contemporary home decor.

A product image of a sculpture from the side angle.

Black and white contrast

Shoot your product in a black-and-white aesthetic to bring out its shape, texture, and contrasts. 

While classic, this approach still manages to highlight the product’s details and provide a refined and focused look. No interference of color is there to distract. 

It’s suitable for products, such as watches, cameras, luxury pens, or eyewear.

A product picture of a DSLR camera captured in black and white contrast.

Showcase with models

Display your products with models in real-life scenarios. Featuring models provides a clear demonstration of your product’s appeal, function, and benefits. 

For instance, show a model wearing a fashionable dress or using a sleek phone case. 

A product shot of a fashionable dress showcased by a model.

Night photography

Photograph products at night or in low light to achieve a dramatic effect.  This accentuates the product’s features, further adding elegance and intrigue.

It is an excellent electronics, illuminated sign, or high-end candle product photography idea.

A product image of a scented candle in the night photography theme.

So, that’s a wrap on our 25 top ideas for a product photoshoot! These should help you capture striking product images that catch the customer’s eye.

Now, are you curious to know if these ideas help specifically with e-commerce product photography?

Let us tell you all about it in detail.

Are these ideas effective for eCommerce product photography?

The answer is yes!

These ideas that we shared above are absolutely perfect for eCommerce product photography.

According to Oberlo, 2.71 billion people will make an online purchase in 2024. It is set to grow further to 2.77 billion in 2025.

With so many online shoppers, it is imperative to have clear and compelling product images. And, these ideas work wonders for an extensive array of different types of products.

On one hand, flat-lay compositions and close-up shots flawlessly highlight essential product details. On the other hand, the high-key lighting adds a clean, vibrant touch, which is ideal for eCommerce.

So, all in all, each product photography idea improves your product’s presentation, resulting in increased engagement and higher sales.

Most e-commerce platforms out there allow some creativity, especially for additional images.

For example:

Amazon: When it comes to the main product images, Amazon requires a plain white background. But, it allows creative shots like the product in use and more for secondary pictures.

eBay: eBay also favors a plain background and a clear focus on the product within the primary image. It further encourages the use of additional images showcasing the product creatively with various ideas.

Etsy: Etsy is the most flexible among all, promoting lifestyle and truly creative photography. Just ensure to keep your product images clear and well-lit.

So, as can be seen, these ideas are both effective and versatile for eCommerce photography of products. Plus, platforms like Amazon, eBay, and Etsy provide you with enough flexibility to get creative while following guidelines.

Now that you are familiar with all these great ideas, let us tell you about a major product photography upgrade that you are going to love!

Turn your product photography ideas into reality with AI

Artificial Intelligence is revolutionizing product photography. Not only does it speed up the editing process but also boosts the image quality.

It puts a lot of cool features on the table that the traditional methods just can’t seem to match.

Here’s a quick comparison explaining how AI stacks up against the old-school approach. 

Feature Traditional product photography AI product photography
Image quality Requires manual adjustments Automated enhancements for optimal results
Editing time Time-consuming manual edits Fast, efficient editing processes
Consistency Variability between shots Uniform quality and style across images
Cost Higher due to equipment and manual work Lower with AI tools reducing the need for extensive resources
Flexibility Limited to equipment and skills AI tools offer creative options and easy adjustments
Scale Challenging for large volumes Scales easily with automation and batch processing

AI product photography with LightX

LightX’s powerful AI product photography adds a modern touch to manual, traditional methods. By employing it, you can achieve your custom, professional, high-quality product shots instantly and effortlessly. Its AI tool streamlines the process by providing a 100% smooth and seamless raw product photo editing experience.

Key features include:

  1. Automatic background removal.
  2. Option to use preset AI-generated background settings or generate a custom background.
  3. Natural-looking product photos in unlimited settings.
  4. Professional-like product shots with auto adjustments and blending.
  5. Precise detail enhancement.

LightX’s intuitive interface allows you to focus on your creative ideas. At the same time, the AI handles their execution flawlessly.

For anyone looking to bring their gadgets, jewelry, or cosmetic product photography ideas to life, LightX offers a powerful solution. 

Final thoughts

Effective product photography is the key to grabbing potential customers’ attention and boosting sales. 

pop and attract Using varied creative ideas that we told you about in this blog makes your products the talk of the town. Whether you choose flat lays, contextual settings, or high-key lighting, each idea has its perks.

Further, AI tools for product photography can take your product photography to a whole new level. AI makes editing faster and more affordable, delivering high-quality results with minimal effort.

As eCommerce continues to grow, having great product photos is becoming more important than ever.

So, ensure to capture eye-catching product images and drive up your profits!

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Can I use AI for product photography?

Yes, you can use AI for your product’s photography. AI helps improve image quality and fastens editing. Tools like LightX make it easier to get professional-looking photos with minimal effort.

  • How to make product photos with AI?

To make product photos with AI, you can use AI-powered tools like LightX’s. To begin, upload your raw product photo. Then, choose from preset background ideas for product photography with just a click. Or, add a custom background using a text prompt. Once the AI generates the image, download it to your device to save it.

  • What is a good product image?

A good product image is always clear, well-lit, and displays the product in the best manner. It should highlight key features and look professional enough to attract buyers.

  • Should product photos have a background?

Product photos can definitely have a background. However, it should be suitable. It should not distract the customers from the product. A complementing background setting works best to keep the focus on the item.

  • How to make a background for product photography?

To make a background for product photography, choose a clean, smooth surface or use a backdrop. You can use paper, fabric, and more. Or, you can also opt for an AI-generated background for your product photography.

  • How to make product photos more interesting?

To make product photos more interesting, try different creative product photography ideas. Capture from different angles, add props, or use different lighting techniques. You can also show the product in use or use contextual backgrounds to make the photos stand out.