Product photos with the phone you already have

You do not need a camera. You need light and a plain background.

Where to stand

Next to a window, in the morning or late afternoon, with the light coming from the side rather than behind you. Never use the flash — it flattens everything and turns fabric grey.

What to put behind it

A plain wall, a sheet of white card, or a clean table. One colour. A busy background is the single thing that makes a well-made product look like a snapshot.

The mistake

Shooting from above, standing up, with the product on the floor. Get the phone level with the product instead and step back rather than zooming in.

How many

Three is plenty: the whole thing, a close detail, and the product being held or worn so the size is obvious. Size is the question customers ask most.

Before you upload

Look at the photo at the size it will appear — small, in a list, next to other shops. If you cannot tell what it is at that size, take it again.