How to Stage Product Photos | DIY Product Photography Tips for Makers

How to Stage Product Photos | DIY Product Photography Tips for Makers | Come behind the scenes with me in this video where I stage, style, and compose one product in multiple ways for product photography with natural light. This video was created specifically for makers who own their own product-based businesses and need to learn how to take their own product photos!
*Quick Disclosure: Some of these links happen to be affiliate links which means when you click the link to purchase something on this page, it won't cost you more but I may receive a commission for sharing this with you. Which is great, because I was going to share it with you anyway!
Product Credit goes to Margie Grodsky with Margie Grodsky Pottery on Etsy www.etsy.com/s...
Let's Talk Props and Backdrops!
Backdrops Featured in this Video: Surfaces from Replica Surfaces paired with the Replica Studio. Shop Replica Surfaces here www.replicasur...
The Styling Towel can be found at Replica Surfaces as well! Shop Replica Surfaces Styling Towels here www.replicasur...
The Coffee Grinder mason jar attachment a.co/d/fgjybCi
The Tiny Spoon (came in a pack of three) and the Rollins Serve Board is the Threshold brand from Target
The coffee and sugar containers are Hearth & Hand™ with Magnolia found at Target
Take Better Product Photos with Your Smartphone 5-Day Challenge
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Learn The Makers Method for taking scroll-stopping product photos that attract more customers and make more sales and money for your business without the headache and cost of becoming a professional photographer so that you can get back to doing what you love most, creating your product.
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• How to Stage Product P...

[@BevStorer]

I had no idea how much thought goes into staging the product. You are an amazing teacher and your simple to understand composition is stellar. Thanks for taking your valuable time to teach us through this video. A+

[@ByKristinaNicole]

THANK YOU for taking the time to share that with me! I appreciate you! You made my morning!

[@HoneyBriASMR]

This was so helpful! Thank you so much!

[@amorciarts]

This was great. The breakdown & comparisons of each layout was super helpful. My favorites were 2 & 5. Thank you!

[@ByKristinaNicole]

Thank you so much for taking the time to share! I am glad you enjoyed!

[@marisaxenos2695]

You are soooooo thorough and I learned so much in your video. I am a crochet sweater maker and better at making than having to do all this photography myself. But I need to do it myself if I want to sell them...thank you so much for your knowledge, time and expertise!

[@ByKristinaNicole]

THANK YOU so much for taking the time to share how helpful you are finding the videos! This seriously makes my day!

[@margiegrodsky4618]

This video/tutorial is so helpful! Each step is explained in a way that is very easy to follow. Can’t thank you enough for these BTS videos.

[@ByKristinaNicole]

I am so glad you are enjoying them!!!! It helps when I have amazing products to work with! 😘

[@shontal_ceramic2830]

You are very welcome 😃

[@Blue-gw4ft]

Life changer

[@ByKristinaNicole]

Thanks, love!

[@sueferramonti]

I loved 2 and 5. Thank you for all the tips. I feel more ready to start my product photography journey.

[@ByKristinaNicole]

Great! Thank you for letting me know you enjoyed this!

[@55cavu]

Thanks so much. I’ve been doing portraits and weddings, and just getting started in product photography. Although there are numerous videos out there on how-tos, your explanation of the design of the shot is unique in my experience. Please keep this up!

[@ByKristinaNicole]

Thank you so much for taking the time to share that with me! I am so happy to hear you enjoyed it!

[@ninasimone3916]

Excellent.

[@ByKristinaNicole]

Thanks for letting me know you enjoyed this video!

[@shontal_ceramic2830]

Thank you so much for these videos. As a ceramic maker, there are lots of expenses involved to make a beautiful product and having it ready for sale on Etsy. If I have to pay for a professional photographer I might not end up making any profit. You have made it so easy and simple to learn. I will be sharing your videos with everyone. Thank you again.

[@ByKristinaNicole]

Thank you so much for taking the time to share that with me! I am so happy to be able to help makers in their journey towards building their brands!

[@marisaxenos2695]

My favorite images are #2 #4 and #5 is my most favorite!!!!❤

[@sassy19762000]

You really are quite agile..!! Bravo!!

[@ByKristinaNicole]

Thanks

[@nataushalight1684]

I love #4!

[@ByKristinaNicole]

Great! Thank you for sharing that!

[@daniellehemberger4296]

My fav was #4 ❤. I liked the balance of props, contrast between light and dark colors and my eye was drawn to the middle of the shot where the product is.

[@ByKristinaNicole]

Thank you for taking the time to share, love!

[@petyamadzharova7684]

Just discovered you and love your videos. this was super insightful, thank you for putting this together. curious if you could do a similar video on product photography for jewelry specifically.

[@ByKristinaNicole]

I am always shooting new products so just keep your eyes peeled!

[@cactusandcoralcountrybouti2186]

4! I liked that everything but the mug was blurred. I was able to really focus on the mug and at the same time I got a warm and cozy feeling with the props. I could imagine myself drinking coffee from the mug with that delicious cake.

[@ByKristinaNicole]

I LOVE the way you described the image!

[@shiresfurniture]

Great video, you are very skilled, wish i was... Couldn't help but notice your backdrop is the other way around, totally thought it was real till I saw the previous video 😂

[@ByKristinaNicole]

Thanks, love! Yes! Most of my settings are fake! My favorite backdrops are from Replica Surfaces! Check them out! www.replicasurfaces.com/bykristinanicole

[@shariborrowman4310]

Starla sent me. Couple questions. Does your camera automatically blur the background? On final shots, will you leave in the outside of the shot (blinds, outside of window) or would you crop that out? My first video I've watched. Will go through more! Glad I heard Starla mention you!

[@ByKristinaNicole]

Hello, love! Welcome to my channel! So I shoot with an iPhone and a DSLR. Honestly it typically just depends on what I have to record. So what I have available to take pictures with and or video record with! So I just flop them at times! On iPhone to blur background I would use portrait mode. Most smartphones have a blur option! With the DSLR then that would be my aperture setting to blur and create a shallow depth of field. As far as the images throughout the video. Those are typically unedited except for the final image. So in some images there are outside elements showing. Typically that just depends on how close I can get when shooting then I crop it out later! It is just easier for me to show y’all as I go what is coming straight out of the camera! Does this make sense?

[@donnababylon]

Nice informative video. I like that you show each shot as you progress to final image. What is the clamp called that holds the foam board? Thanks!

[@ByKristinaNicole]

Thanks, love! They are clamps that attach to a light stand here are the links to the clamps a.co/d/boqpZmN and you have to buy the stands separately a.co/d/3vXZcLh

[@donnababylon]

Thanks for such a quick response! I ordered them.

[@Wendathena]

I liked 2 and 5 the best. Not sure if it was just the composition and placement of the mug, but they appealed to me the most. I see other people said they liked #4, but I found all the other background items distracting.

[@ByKristinaNicole]

Thank you for taking the time to share!

[@BLINGofBOSTON]

What does the best scene for shooting rhinestone tumblers? I’ve seen so many with them laying on faux shaggy rugs, but I know that’s not how they could look best.

[@ByKristinaNicole]

No… please no rug! 🤣 think about how the product will be used and by who! Tumblers are used a variety of ways! The setting your choose and the props you include should attract a specific person! Think about Yeti! Their focus is on the outdoors! Their images attract that! Who buys your product?

[@BLINGofBOSTON]

@@ByKristinaNicole Hmmm I’ll have to think about that. I’m not actually sure how my customers use them. I personally use them for drinking water or coffee while I’m working at home and sometimes while I’m out running errands. I guess sitting on a desk with a laptop and notebook in the background could be a scene.

[@ZionTreasureHunt]

#4 ❤

[@ByKristinaNicole]

Thanks for letting me know!

[@rectilinearproperties6211]

1&4

[@katherineperry9876]

Thank you for sharing; it was very helpful! John 3:16; Romans 10:9 KJV

[@ByKristinaNicole]

you are very welcome! I am glad you found it useful.

[@hum2020]

Good product pictures pictures on the wall don't look up to the same standard,

[@ByKristinaNicole]

My kiddos school photos?!? 😂 sadly the schools still hire photographers who shoot like we are in the 80s still! 😂

[@chezsylvie007]

you may want to invest in some better audio

[@ByKristinaNicole]

Already have! This video is old!

[@revelationawake]

What if you don't have or cannot afford all the fancy equipment, backdrops, etc... like you're using??? I'm not going out and spending a thousand on what you have. I need cheap and simple!

[@ByKristinaNicole]

I break results down into time or money. The more money you spend on equipment, the less time it typically takes to see results. When you don't have a budget for high-quality backdrops or for artificial lighting you are going to spend more time getting quality results. That is ok. You can make your own backdrops with white foam board and contact paper or wallpaper. You can use natural light. I have NEVER said you have to have the replica studio or replica backdrops to get results. I teach my students every day how to get results with the limited equipment and money they have. All you need is a smartphone, a setting (backdrops of some sort), natural light, and free editing software. I have been a photographer for over 20 years. I have so much equipment it takes up half my basement. I use replica surfaces because it is convenient for me because I don't have a dedicated space to shoot. I shoot in my dining room. I also use them because they are the best quality and their customer service is outstanding. Adapt my teachings to what you have available to you. My results are not solely based on my equipment. They are based on my knowledge. Fancy and expensive equipment won't get you results. Fancy and expensive equipment are a tool to help you to get results faster!

[@revelationawake]

Thank you for your response!! I wasn’t trying to call you out or offend you. These days money is tight (for everyone)!

[@ByKristinaNicole]

You did not offend me at all. I just wanted to make clear that results can 100% happen with a very low budget. ❤

[@ravenlunatic7026]

I think your video is a little out of foucs?

[@ByKristinaNicole]

Thanks for letting me know. I will look into it!