How to Take Product Photos With Your Phone for an Online Store
Written by Mordechai Peretz · Updated: October 7, 2026 · 6 min read
To take product photos with your phone that sell, you need three things: a clean white or neutral background so the product stands out, consistency across the whole catalog, and enough resolution for shoppers to zoom in. Shoot in soft daylight, then finish on your phone: replace the background, erase dust and distractions, and upscale.
Amazon requires a pure white background for the main product image, and many other marketplaces and store themes look best with one. This guide covers how to shoot and how to get a catalog that looks professional.
Step 1: Shoot it right, and save half the work
- Use soft daylight from a window, not direct flash, which creates glare.
- Place the product on a light, smooth surface. A sheet of white poster board works well.
- Shoot at the product's height, not from above at an angle.
- Leave space around the product. Cropping later is easier than adding.
- Shoot every product from the same angle and in the same light. That is the secret of a consistent catalog.
Step 2: Three fixes for every photo
- 1
Replace the background
In General change, type "plain white background, soft studio light". The product stands out and the photos look uniform side by side.
- 2
Clean up blemishes and distractions
Dust, a scratch on the surface, a stray tag or a reflection: remove them with Remove object so the eye goes to the product.
- 3
Sharpen and upscale
Shoppers zoom in on product photos. Sharpen & 4K lets them do it without blur, which removes a reason to hesitate.
The tip that matters most: consistency
A catalog looks professional not because every photo is perfect, but because they all look like one family: the same background, the same size of product in the frame, the same direction of light.
A simple way to get there: process all your photos in one session with the same request, such as "plain white background, soft studio light", so the results match across the catalog.
What else to prepare for each product
- A main image on white: the one shown in the category page
- A close-up of the details: texture, stitching, material
- A lifestyle shot: the product in a real setting
- Color variants: the same photo in several colors, without reshooting
Frequently asked questions
How do I get a white background on product photos?
Upload the photo to NeedPS, choose General change and type "plain white background". The background is replaced and the light on the product is adjusted to fit.
Why do online stores use white backgrounds?
White makes the product stand out and keeps the catalog consistent. Amazon requires it for the main product image, and many other marketplaces recommend it.
Can I make color variants without reshooting?
Yes. Upload the same photo and ask to change the product's color. You get several variants from one shot.
Do I need a professional camera?
No. A recent phone in soft daylight gives a great base, and the editing does the rest.
Is it free to try?
Yes. NeedPS gives you free edits to start, as a guest and when you sign up, and they work on every tool. After that there are credit packs and monthly plans, priced by your app store in your local currency.
Want to try it on your own photo?
Download NeedPS, upload a photo and type what you want, in any language. That is all.
Download NeedPS free