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How to photograph your business with your phone

You don't need a photographer to get photos an editor will use. You need light, a clean frame and ten minutes.

Owner Guides2 min readUpdated September 28, 20265 shots to take

The owner

The product

The space

Hands at work

Good photos are the difference between a story that gets read and one that gets scrolled past. The good news: the phone in your pocket is more than enough. Here's how to get photos you'll be proud to send to any publication.

Step one

Light first, everything else second

Shoot near a window

Soft daylight from the side is the most flattering light there is.

Avoid overhead fluorescents

When you can. They flatten faces and turn colours green.

Morning and late afternoon

Warmer, softer light outside. Midday sun creates harsh shadows.

Turn off the flash

Almost always.

Step two

The five photos every business needs

Example photos are stock images, shown to illustrate each shot.

1

The owner portrait

You, in your space, looking at the camera. Stand a few steps in front of a background that says what you do.

2

The storefront or workspace

Straight on, level, with the sign readable.

3

The interior

Shot from a corner to show depth. Tidy up first.

4

The product or service

Close up, on a clean surface, with one hero item in focus.

5

Hands at work

Kneading, cutting, pouring, fixing. These are the photos editors love most.

Step three

Framing basics

Turn on your camera's grid and place the subject on a third, not dead centre.
Hold the phone level. Tilted doorframes make a space feel off.
Shoot horizontal (landscape) for websites and articles, and a few vertical for social media.
Step closer instead of zooming. Digital zoom reduces quality.
Wipe the lens. Seriously.

Portraits that feel natural

Ask a friend or employee to take the photo while you talk to them. Real smiles happen mid-conversation, not on “say cheese.” Take twenty shots; one will be great.