Must-Have Product Photography Tools
- Product photography backdrops
- Light reflectors
- Compressed air
- Clamps
- Product Photography Backdrops
- Light Reflectors
- Compressed Air
- Stands for Product Photography
- Other Product Photography Tools to Consider
- Clamps (for securing items in place, hanging items, etc.)
- A turntable (for easily photographing an item from all angles)
- Gaffer tape or electrical tape (for various uses - marking locations, holding items in place, or affixing cords to stands and arms to keep them out of the frame)
- Acrylic rods (for holding an item in the air)
- Hot glue gun (for attaching items together)
Photo by gorodenkoff via iStock
We know all the main players when it comes to product photography tools: a camera, a few lenses, lighting and stands, and a tripod chief among them.
But to capture the best images, there are other product photography tools that should be in your kit, namely:
In today’s guide, we’ll discuss each of these items (and more!) to give you a broad overview of some of the best tools you need for product photography.
Let’s get to it!
Table of Contents
Product Photography Backdrops
The make-or-break item on this product photography tools list is the backdrop. If you get the right backdrops, they’ll enhance your product photos and make the products look that much better. Get it wrong, though, and the visual appeal of your images will be diminished.
I started using Best Ever Backdrops a few months ago, and I can attest to the quality and beauty of these products.
I have backdrops from their Mix and Match Collection, which are 24” x 36” - just the right size for product photography (though, if you want something smaller, their new 24” x 24” backdrops are a great alternative).
There’s a lot to love about these backdrops, too.
They’re thin, lightweight, and non-glare. These backdrops are completely waterproof and stain-resistant as well.
Better still, the backdrops are double-sided, so you can get two different textures to give your product photos some variety.
And man, are these textures beautiful!
A lot of backdrops claim to be photorealistic, but I’ve never seen backdrops as photorealistic as these before. You truly feel as though you can reach out and feel the texture of the backdrops.
So, when you use Best Ever Backdrops for your product photography, you get something that’s beautifully made, virtually indestructible, highly portable, and affordable, too. That’s not a bad combination!
Editor’s Note: Right now, you can get 15% off your order from the Backdrop Collection or the Mix and Match Collection at Best Ever Backdrops by using the promo code PTalk15. Head over to Best Ever Backdrops today to get outfitted with the best backdrop for food photography!
Light Reflectors
Photo by EXTREME-PHOTOGRAPHER via iStock
Having a good set of artificial lights, softboxes, and light stands will go a long way in helping you create the best product images.
However, there’s a cheaper alternative when it comes to product photography tools for lighting…
Using natural light and a reflector, you’d be surprised at the quality of light you can cast on the products that you’re photographing.
Simple reflector packs come with various reflectors that give you different lighting options - gold, silver, and white for changing the color temperature of the light, black to enhance shadows, and translucent to soften light.
For about $40.00, it’s hard to beat the versatility you get for the price!
Compressed Air
Even in the most controlled environments, you’ll find that dust and dirt find their way onto the items you’re photographing.
When quality matters, you can’t afford to have images of dirty products, so you need a method of cleaning off dust and dirt quickly and easily. Compressed air does the trick!
I like to remove the products I’m photographing and clean them with compressed air in a different area, then use the compressed air to clean the set as well. This helps prevent dust from settling right back onto the products.
It’s a simple thing to do, but one that can have a significant impact on the quality of the images you create!
Stands for Product Photography
Another must-have item on my list of product photography tools is a set of stands or risers.
Sometimes you need to photograph multiple items in a single shot, and a stand is a great way to give the items varying heights to give the image more visual interest.
Stands aren’t expensive, nor should they be flashy or distracting. If a stand is needed, consider getting clear stands so the backdrop you’re using under the products can still be seen.
Other Product Photography Tools to Consider
Photo by Alexan2008 via iStock
As with any niche of photography, there are plenty of other tools you might consider adding to your product photography kit.
It’s important not to go hog wild and buy anything and everything you can, though. While each item listed below can be helpful, you may or may not need each tool, depending on your particular situation. This list is simply provided to give you an idea of what product photography tools are available:
As you continue taking product photos, you’ll find what works for you and what doesn’t. You’ll also find what product photography tools you need most, and which ones you can forego. At the very least, this guide is a good start for helping you get situated in product photography!