People often ask how I get my earring photos to look so clean and bright - especially since I don’t use a fancy camera or big studio setup. So today I’m pulling back the curtain to show you how I do it with just my iPhone, some sunlight, and a few budget-friendly tools. Whether you're a fellow maker looking for easy photo tips, or one of my sweet BFFs who’s just curious how things work behind the scenes, here’s a peek into my process.  

📱 What kind of camera do I use?

Just my iPhone 13 Pro Max! That’s it. No DSLR, no fancy light rig, just a phone and good lighting. (And maybe a quilter’s clip or two.) 

☀️ Lighting is everything

I take nearly all my photos using natural light - and I’m lucky to have lots of windows on the east side of my house where my workshop is. That soft morning light floods my workshop and makes everything look glowy and fresh. If I miss that window, I’ll sometimes move to the living room later in the day. I do own a cheap lightbox, but I only use it if I absolutely have to. The light is harsh, and it’s tough to edit without distorting the earring colors. If the weather’s gray, I usually just wait until the skies are brighter. 

🖼 Where do I take photos?

My workshop doubles as my photo studio! I use a big IKEA dining table as my main workspace, and I’ll usually shoot on one side of that or on my shipping counter (I keep this counter cleaned offf so I don't have to move anything to set up for photos like I might have to on my desk). Everything happens right here at home - no outside studio, no outsourced photos. Honestly, I make mostly one-of-a-kind pieces, so it wouldn’t make sense to send things off or build a whole photo area I couldn’t keep up with. 

🎨 Backgrounds + props I love

I use a mix of 12x12 scrapbook paper and placemats I’ve found at Hobby Lobby. I look for colors and textures that are neutral but still interesting - and I try to work a touch of pink in to match my brand. I also love adding in some greenery or simple props with an earthy feel so the earrings stay the star. Pro tip for makers: If I’m photographing earrings on a card, I tuck quilter's clips behind them to help them lay flat without flopping forward. Game changer. 

🖼 How I edit my photos

I use Lightroom Mobile for a quick edit. Usually that just means:  

  • Fixing the orientation (because my phone loves to save them sideways 🙃) 
  • Applying a preset that keeps everything light + bright 

Some colors (especially reds!) are harder to get right without over-editing, so I try not to go too hard. I want what you see on the screen to match what you pull out of the box. 

🗓 My photo schedule

Ideally, I take photos on Thursdays and list everything on Fridays. I’ve tried doing it all in one day but… whew. It’s a lot. Etsy recommends using all 10 photo spots + a video, so I work in sets. I usually take 2 photos on each of 5 different backgrounds - one portrait and one landscape. From deciding on each flat lay, photographing each pair, importing the photos into LightRoom, to editing them, and then uploading them to my computer... this process can take several hours to all day.

💡 A few extra behind-the-scenes nuggets

  • I don’t wear the earrings I photograph - since I sell mostly one-of-a-kinds, it doesn’t make sense to model them or swap wires just for a photo. But I do try to include customer photos or reviews when I can (especially if I’ve made myself a pair!). 
  • I like to mix in close-ups to show fringe, texture, embossing, or sparkle - because those details are so good in real life. 
  • I used to photograph everything… on a rock. 😅 At the time, I was SO proud of that rock. But I’ve definitely evolved over time and still go back to refresh older listings now and then. 
  • If there’s one thing that trips me up, it’s editing photos without changing the colors. Color accuracy is a big deal to me - I want you to get exactly what you expect. 

💕 Final thoughts

This system might not be fancy, but it works for me. I try to keep it simple, doable, and consistent - because that’s what helps me keep creating. And now you know a little more about how your earrings go from my desk to your screen! 

xoxo,

Sarah