Your custom packaging looks fantastic in person. Now, how do you make it look just as good on camera?
Packaging photography comes with a few challenges of its own: glossy finishes that catch every reflection, box panels that look oddly flat and logos that refuse to stay in focus. The good news is that you don’t need a professional studio or a fancy camera to get photos worthy of your online store.
Whether you’re photographing custom mailer boxes for Etsy or creating an unboxing reveal for Instagram, this guide covers everything you need to know about how to photograph packaged products. We’ll walk through affordable DIY lighting setups, smartphone camera settings, glare-busting tricks, the best packaging photography angles and easy edits using free apps.
- A smartphone, tripod, white foam board reflector, matte backdrop and window light are enough to build a DIY packaging photography setup.
- Position packaging beside a window with diffused light, and use a reflector to soften shadows, rotating glossy or foil-stamped boxes to reduce glare.
- Photograph boxes straight-on to show branding, at 45° to reveal their depth, from overhead to capture contents and up close to highlight print finishes.
- Build a three-shot unboxing sequence around the sealed package, the first look inside and the unpacked product alongside its branded inserts.
- Use free editing apps to straighten box edges, correct exposure and white balance, remove distractions and crop images to suit each platform.
Step 1. Prepare your packaging and DIY photography setup
Good packaging photography starts with a spotless, properly assembled package and a distraction-free setup. And no, you don’t need a professional studio. A tabletop, a few household supplies and your smartphone will do.
Here’s what you’ll need:
| Equipment | Budget-friendly option | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| Camera | Smartphone or digital camera | Capture photos |
| Light source | Window or LED lamp | Illuminate packaging |
| Diffuser | Sheer white curtain | Soften harsh light |
| Reflector | White foam board | Brighten shadows |
| Background | Matte poster board or paper roll | Create a clean backdrop |
| Support | Tripod or phone stand | Prevent blurry shots |
Want to keep your packaging costs down, too? Check out our guide to budget packaging for practical ways to save without compromising on presentation.
Get your custom packaging camera-ready
Cameras pick up imperfections you might overlook in person, so give your packaging a quick inspection:
- Wipe away dust and fingerprints, especially on glossy finishes.
- Straighten labels, secure box flaps and position logos prominently.
- Stuff empty mailer boxes with tissue paper to prevent sagging.
- Place products or flat inserts inside poly mailers to smooth out wrinkles and show their shape.
Source: Packaging photography by GayanMH via 99designs by Vista
Create a seamless background for custom box photography
For a clean, professional backdrop, tape a large sheet of matte paper to a wall and let it curve gently onto your tabletop. Avoid creasing it: the smooth transition creates a sweep background with no visible horizon line. Choose white or neutral paper for e-commerce photos, or a contrasting shade for light-colored packaging.
Position your package away from the backdrop to keep distracting shadows out of the frame.
Step 2. Choose the best product packaging lighting setup
Soft, diffused lighting is your best bet for packaging photography. It brings out printed details, keeps shadows under control and prevents harsh reflections from stealing the spotlight.
Here are three affordable lighting setups worth trying:
| Lighting setup | Best for | How to position it |
|---|---|---|
| Window + reflector | Matte boxes and mailers | Window at 45° to one side, white board opposite |
| Diffused LED + reflector | Indoor or evening shoots | LED behind a diffuser at 45°, reflector opposite |
| Two diffused lights | Larger boxes requiring even coverage | One light on each side, adjusted to retain soft shadows |
For the window setup, turn off overhead lights to avoid unwanted color casts. Move the reflector closer to soften shadows or farther away to give the packaging more depth.
Larger mailer boxes may need a wider diffuser for even coverage, while poly mailers benefit from gentle side shadows that reveal their texture.
How to avoid glare on glossy, foil-stamped and spot UV packaging
Avoid direct camera flash, especially on coated packaging, where it can create harsh hotspots. The trick to photographing reflective packaging is controlling where the light bounces. Start with a large, diffused light source, then adjust its position or rotate the package until reflections stop covering important details.
Different finishes call for slightly different adjustments:
| Packaging finish | Common problem | How to fix it |
|---|---|---|
| Glossy laminate | Large white glare patches | Use a larger diffuser and reposition the light. |
| Metallic foil | Bright reflections hide lettering | Tilt the package until the foil reflects soft, even light. |
| Spot UV | Glossy details blend into the matte surface | Use angled lighting to make the raised gloss visible. |
Don’t eliminate every reflection. Metallic foil and spot UV need a little shine to show off their finish. For stubborn glare on nonmetallic surfaces, try a clip-on circular polarizing filter, though it won’t reliably remove reflections from metallic foil. If one angle doesn’t capture both the artwork and the finish, take two photos from slightly different positions.
Step 3. Adjust your camera settings for sharp packaging photos
Even the best lighting won’t save an out-of-focus photo. For sharp packaging photography, you’ll need accurate focus, proper exposure and a steady camera.
Here are the recommended camera settings to start with:
| Setting | Smartphone | DSLR or mirrorless camera |
|---|---|---|
| ISO (light sensitivity) | Lowest available, if adjustable | Start at ISO 100 |
| Aperture (depth of field) | Usually fixed | f/8–f/11 to keep the entire box sharp |
| Shutter speed | Automatic or manual, if supported | Start at 1/125s handheld; slower with a tripod |
| Focus | Tap the logo or front panel | Single-point autofocus on the packaging |
| White balance | Lock if available | Match your light source |
| File format | RAW/DNG if supported | RAW for greater editing flexibility |
Smartphone packaging photography settings to use
Your phone can produce excellent packaging photos with a few adjustments:
- Clean the lens and enable grid lines to keep box edges straight.
- Use the main 1× camera for better image quality. Avoid digital zoom, which sacrifices detail.
- Tap the logo to focus, then activate AE/AF lock (auto exposure/auto focus) if available.
- Reduce exposure slightly if white surfaces or metallic details look excessively bright.
- Enable RAW mode for greater editing flexibility, or use your phone’s highest-quality standard format.
- Stabilize your phone on a stand and use a 3- or 10-second timer to avoid camera shake.
Settings vary by phone model, and most smartphones don’t allow manual aperture adjustments.
Step 4. Choose packaging photography angles that show every important detail
One photo rarely tells the whole story. Effective packaging marketing should gives shoppers a clear idea of what they’re getting. Photograph your packaging from several angles, showing its shape, branding, construction and finishing details.
Here are five essential packaging photography angles to include in your shot list:
| Angle | What it shows | Best use |
|---|---|---|
| Straight-on | Logo, typography and front design | Main product listing image |
| Three-quarter (45°) | Front, side and depth | Custom boxes and mailers |
| Overhead (90°) | Lid design and interior layout | Flat packaging and unboxing shots |
| Side profile | Thickness, folds and closures | Packaging construction |
| Close-up | Foil, embossing, spot UV and texture | Premium finishes |
For custom box photography, keep the camera level to prevent crooked edges and avoid shooting too close with an ultra-wide lens, which can distort the box’s proportions. For flat poly mailers, prioritize overhead shots to show the complete design, then try a slight angle to reveal their thickness.
Maintain consistent camera heights, distances and angles across your product range for a cohesive storefront and easier product comparisons.
Step 5. Style your packaging photos and capture a 3-shot unboxing sequence
Lifestyle packaging photography shows customers what receiving and opening your product looks like. Here’s how to make your shots feel natural while keeping your branding front and center.
Style custom packaging with simple, relevant props
Choose props that complement your packaging and give the shot some context. A few ideas:
- Gift boxes: Ribbons, gift tags or tissue paper
- Beauty packaging: Dried flowers, towels or skincare accessories
- Food packaging: Relevant ingredients, serving boards or utensils
- Subscription boxes: Products arranged around the open box
- Everyday packaging: Hands holding the package or familiar surfaces like desks and countertops
Source: Packaging photography by Martis Lupus via 99designs by Vista
Stick to a complementary color palette, leave some breathing room around the packaging and keep your logo visible. Avoid props that could make customers think they’re included with the purchase.
Planning a seasonal shoot? Explore our packaging ideas for promotional campaigns for inspiration.
Create a 3-shot unboxing lifestyle photography sequence
Capture the unboxing experience in three shots:
- The arrival: Show the sealed package with its branding visible.
- The reveal: Photograph the box being opened, showing tissue paper, interior printing and the first glimpse of the product.
- The payoff: Capture the unpacked product alongside its packaging and branded inserts.
Keep lighting and backgrounds consistent throughout. For hands-in-frame shots, use a phone stand and timer or Bluetooth remote. Prioritize clear product details for online listings and more interactive, storytelling shots for social media.
Step 6. Edit your packaging photos without expensive software
Even a well-shot photo can benefit from a few touch-ups. You don’t need Photoshop, either. These free apps have everything you need for basic packaging photo editing:
| Tool | Useful features | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Lightroom Mobile | Exposure, white balance and color adjustments | Editing multiple product photos consistently |
| Snapseed | Perspective correction, selective edits and healing | Fixing individual shots |
| VistaCreate | Cropping, filters and ready-made templates | Preparing packaging photos for social media and marketing materials |
Regardless the app, follow this packaging photo editing workflow:
- Crop and straighten: Align box edges and correct any perspective distortion.
- Adjust exposure: Brighten dark shots without washing out white packaging or metallic finishes.
- Correct white balance: Get rid of unwanted yellow or blue tints.
- Fine-tune highlights and shadows: Tone down bright spots and bring out details in darker areas.
- Clean up distractions: Remove background dust and stray marks.
- Export: Save high-quality images in your platform’s preferred format.
Before publishing, compare your edited photos with the actual packaging under neutral lighting. Screen settings can affect color accuracy, so go easy on saturation and retouching. You don’t want customers receiving something that looks completely different from your photos.
Resize packaging photos for online stores and social media
| Aspect ratio | Best for |
|---|---|
| 1:1 (square) | Product listings and square social posts |
| 4:5 (portrait) | Instagram and Facebook feeds |
| 9:16 (vertical) | Stories, Reels and TikTok |
Leave some extra space around your packaging when shooting so you can crop for different platforms without cutting off the design. Check marketplace-specific image requirements before uploading.
Packaging photography checklist before you publish
Before uploading your packaging photos, give them one final check:
- Presentation: Is the packaging clean, properly assembled and free of distracting creases?
- Focus: Are logos, labels and small print sharp and readable?
- Lighting: Are important details visible without harsh glare or distracting shadows?
- Angles: Have you captured the front, sides, interior and any special finishes?
- Accuracy: Do the colors, proportions and materials match the actual packaging?
- Consistency: Do all photos in the collection have a cohesive look?
- Formatting: Are the images correctly cropped, sized and ready for their intended platforms?
Ready to photograph your packaged products like a pro?
Great packaging deserves great photos, and you don’t need a professional studio to make that happen. With a little preparation, the right lighting and a few camera tricks, you can capture packaging photography that does your designs justice.
Now, grab your phone, set up your first shot and give your custom packaging its moment in the spotlight!
Packaging photography FAQs
How many packaging photos should I include in a product listing?
Aim for four to six photos covering the front, sides, important details and packaging interior. Include a shot with the product inside to help customers understand its size and presentation.
Can I use the same packaging photos for Etsy, Amazon and my own website?
Yes, provided they meet each platform’s requirements. Amazon typically requires a pure white background for main product images, while Etsy allows more creative styling. Check image dimensions and formatting rules before uploading.
Should I photograph the packaging separately from the product?
Ideally, yes. Product-only shots show customers what they’re buying, while packaging photos highlight how it arrives. If you’re selling custom packaging itself, prioritize its design, construction and practical features.
How should I photograph different packaging sizes or design variations?
Keep the lighting, background and camera angle consistent across variations. Include a group shot for easy comparison and individual photos for each option. Add dimensions to your listings so customers can judge the actual size.
