How to Take Professional Jewelry Photos at Home (Beginner Guide)

So, you have started a jewelry business. Congratulations! You have designed beautiful pieces, built a Shopify store, and now you are ready to sell. But there is one problem: your photos don't look like the ones in Vogue. They look dark, blurry, or yellow.

As a professional photographer, I always recommend hiring a pro for your main catalog. However, I also understand that when you are just starting out, budgets are tight. You need to get content on Instagram today.

Can you take good photos with just a smartphone and some window light? Yes, if you know the rules.Here is my step-by-step guide to DIY jewelry photography that actually looks decent.

Step 1: The Setup (Your DIY Studio)

You don't need expensive lights yet. You have the best light source in the world: The Sun.

• Find a Window: Choose a window that has indirect light. Direct sunlight is too harsh—it creates hard black shadows. You want soft, cloudy-day light.

• The "White Card" Trick: Shadows are the enemy. If the window is on the left, the right side of your ring will be dark.

  • The Fix: Get a piece of white foam board (from the dollar store) and place it on the right side, facing the window. It will bounce light back onto the jewelry, filling in the shadows. This is what we call a "reflector."
    

Step 2: The Background

Don't use your kitchen table. Wood grain is distracting.

• Go Pure White: Buy a large sheet of white paper. Tape it to the wall and let it curve down onto the table. This seamless curve (called a "sweep") makes the jewelry look like it's floating in an infinite white space.

• Or Go Creative: A slab of marble tile or a piece of slate can look very high-end for Instagram. Just make sure it’s matte, not glossy, so it doesn't reflect your phone.
  

Step 3: Cleaning (Do Not Skip This!)

Your camera sees more than your eyes do. A fingerprint on a gold band looks like a smudge of grease in a photo.

• The Rule: Wipe every piece with a microfiber cloth immediately before shooting. Wear cotton gloves if possible.
  

Step 4: Shooting with a Smartphone

If you are using an iPhone or Android:

1. Zoom in (Ideally 2x): The main "1x" lens is wide-angle. If you get too close, it distorts the ring (makes it look bulbous). Step back and use the 2x or 3x telephoto lens.

2. Lock Focus: Tap and hold on the screen where the main diamond is until you see "AE/AF Lock." This ensures the focus doesn't jump to the background.

3. Lower Exposure: Smartphones try to make everything bright. Jewelry looks better when it's a bit moody. Drag the little "sun" icon down slightly to prevent the shiny metal from looking "blown out" (white).
   

Step 5: Editing on Your Phone

You cannot skip editing.Download Lightroom Mobile (the free version is fine).

• White Balance: Use the eyedropper tool on the white background. This removes the yellow/blue tint.

• Clarity/Texture: Boost this slightly (around +10 or +15) to make the diamond facets pop.

• Vignette: Add a tiny bit of dark vignette to draw the eye to the center.
  

The Reality Check: When to Hire a Pro

This DIY method is great for social media stories or Etsy. But you will hit a wall.

• Focus Issues: Smartphones can't do "Focus Stacking." You will notice the back of the ring is always blurry.

• Reflections: You will eventually see your own reflection (holding the phone) in the gold. Removing this requires professional retouching.

• Consistency: It is very hard to keep natural light consistent if a cloud passes by.

When your brand grows and you need a consistent, high-end catalog that rivals the big brands, that is when you call a professional.

Conclusion: Start Where You Are

Don't let a lack of budget stop you from starting. Use these tips to get your first 100 sales. And when you are ready to take your brand to the luxury level, I will be here to help you make that leap.

Ready to Upgrade?

See the difference professional lighting makes. View my Portfolio.