How to Take Simple Product Photography (for Etsy, FB, IG) With an iPhone

My mom started and owns Waverly Soap Company (if you haven't been on her Etsy page you should go there now, and treat yourself. Once you start with a good product you'll never be able to go back). Anyway, after yeeeears of experimenting with photos and backgrounds and filters, we've narrowed it down to a science. So I though I'd share what we do, because to be honest, I was mildly fascinated with how much we've progressed (in the photography department)...which now that I think about it, is totally my fault, cause I wanted to be the photographer. Wow. Please close your browser and stop reading about how awful I used to be at my current job. I swear I've gotten better at this.

So anyway, iPhone photos aren't the clearest but they work SO well for Etsy, Instagram, and Facebook.

I'd recommend starting with a starkly light or dark background or a VERY blurry one. And absolutely never ever use a printed background. Never take photos against scrapbook paper, or a wrinkly curtain etc. I've tried that (like a million years ago), and now I look back at those photos and they make me want to cry. And never, ever, add little accent things to the picture. You want people to notice your product. Not your pearl necklace or the random "accent" lily in the corner of the picture.

Also, the apple editor on your phone is a gold mine. And that's NOT because they added new filters. No, go past the filters and you can use that little editor to correct colors and lighting. I'd also recommend downloading VSCO for editing. That one is definitely my favorite for changing lighting/saturation/angles. I highly recommend taking photos that you think are "good enough" and adding some contrast. Cause 99% of the time they'll get better.

Since you can manage your Etsy shop an Facebook/Instagram from your phone, it makes so much sense to do photos like this with an app and your phone.
So anyway, I just wanted to share all that stuff with you all cause I thought it was pretty cool. And since it took us so long to pin-point what good product photos looks like, I hope maybe someone can be spared.
Mike & Cortney's session will be up on this weekend. So start getting excited for that!!
Cheers,