Photography - DIY Lightbox

Good photography is essential. You'll need quality images for your website, media and general promotion.
When you make products to sell, knowing how to photograph them well is one of your most important tools, and is a skill that you really need to develop. Even if your business is a service based one taking good photographs is also important. You may need an images for your website, or to document an event that you were a part of. Using stock images may be handy at times but there is a high chance that a competitor has felt the same, and is therefore using the same images. This can be confusing for a customer/client.

Paying for photography can be a wise choice. There may be times when you want the best photographs possible and getting someone else to do it is the better option. This can be at the start of your business, or when you are launching a new product.

Overall good photography doesn't need to be hard or expensive. With some practice and a few good tips I'm sure you'll get the hang of it. Lots more will be said on this topic over the coming months. Of course you are always welcome to ask some questions or let us know what has worked for you.

To start here is a quick and inexpensive way to build your own light box.
Of course you may choose to buy one if you're not much of a DIY person. There are plenty of cheap pop up ones available from photo stores, and on ebay.

Plus here are a few good tips via the ebay product photography guide. If some of that is a little confusing don't worry some easier tips will follow shortly.

pictured above, image via Moobear Designs
 
This is a great example of the use of nature lighting. Wait for an overcast day to avoid harsh shadows. Early morning or late afternoon are best.