Product Photography
Take high-quality product photos for brands and businesses.
About Product Photography
Online stores live and die by their product images. Shoppers can't touch or examine products, so photos must do the heavy lifting—showing quality, details, and lifestyle appeal. Many e-commerce sellers lack the skills or equipment to create professional product photography, creating steady demand for photographers who can make products look irresistible.
For digital nomads, product photography requires more gear than purely digital work, but it's still quite portable. A quality camera, a few lenses, collapsible lighting, and a backdrop can fit in luggage. Some nomads specialize in lifestyle product photography—shooting items in beautiful locations they're already visiting, which becomes a unique selling point.
Two Approaches: Studio vs. Lifestyle
| Style | What It Involves | Best For | Nomad-Friendly? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio/Clean | White backgrounds, consistent lighting, multiple angles | E-commerce listings, Amazon, catalogs | Harder (need setup space) |
| Lifestyle | Products in context, being used, real environments | Social media, marketing, brand building | Easier (use locations you visit) |
Most e-commerce sellers need clean product shots for their listings—white background, well-lit, showing the product clearly. This requires a consistent setup, which is challenging while traveling.
Lifestyle photography shows products being used in real life. A travel-friendly specialty: shoot products in beautiful locations you're already visiting. Coffee brands want shots in scenic cafes. Outdoor gear brands want mountain and beach imagery. Your travel becomes your studio.
Equipment for the Road
Minimum Portable Setup:
- Mirrorless camera or high-end smartphone
- 50mm or 35mm prime lens
- Small LED panel light (rechargeable)
- Collapsible white backdrop or foam boards
- Portable tripod
- Reflector/diffuser
Total weight: 5-10 lbs depending on setup
The key is prioritizing quality over quantity. One good lens and one reliable light beats a bag full of mediocre options.
Finding Clients
Product photography clients come from several channels:
Online Platforms:
Local Outreach:
- Small businesses in your current location
- Markets and craft fairs (talk to vendors)
- Food and beverage companies
Specialty Networks:
- Amazon seller communities
- Etsy seller forums
- Shopify communities
Many photographers build local client bases in cities they spend significant time in, rather than trying to serve clients purely remotely.
Pricing Your Services
| Service Level | Per Product Price | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Basic (white background, 2-3 shots) | $15-30 | Volume work, quick turnaround |
| Standard (styled, 4-6 shots) | $40-75 | More setup, light editing |
| Premium (lifestyle, multiple setups) | $100-200+ | Location work, extensive editing |
| Day rate | $300-800+ | For larger shoots, many products |
Start lower to build portfolio and testimonials, then raise rates as you gain experience and can show results.
The Editing Side
Photography is half the job. Editing takes significant time:
- Background removal and cleanup
- Color correction and consistency
- Retouching and shadow adjustment
- Resizing for different platforms
Software like Adobe Lightroom and Photoshop are industry standard. Capture One is popular among professionals. Learn efficient workflows—batch processing similar images saves hours.
Many photographers charge separately for complex editing, or build editing time into their per-image rates.
Realistic Income Expectations
| Activity Level | Monthly Income |
|---|---|
| Part-time (5-10 clients) | $1,000-2,500 |
| Full-time (10-20 clients) | $3,000-6,000 |
| Premium/specialized | $6,000-12,000+ |
Income varies significantly based on client type. Amazon sellers often want cheap, high-volume work. Premium brands pay premium rates for fewer, higher-quality images.
The Nomad Challenge
The honest truth: product photography is harder to do while actively traveling than most digital services. You need:
- Space to set up
- Consistent lighting conditions
- Reliable shipping for products
- Storage for equipment
What works:
- Slow travel with long stays in each location
- Lifestyle photography specialization
- Building local client bases in hub cities
- Focusing on digital products (mockups, templates) between location shoots
What This Pairs Well With
Product photography skills connect naturally to licensing your photography for passive income. The visual skills overlap with graphic design work. Video skills lead to videography for product videos, which commands higher rates.
Use Notion to track client projects and deliverables. Google Drive works well for delivering final images to clients.
Getting started: Master lighting fundamentals—good lighting transforms amateur shots into professional images. Practice with products you already own. Build a portfolio showing different product types (small items, clothing, food, electronics). Reach out to local small businesses or e-commerce sellers who need better photos. Platforms like Upwork and specialized photography marketplaces connect you with clients worldwide.
Business Models
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I do product photography while traveling?
It's possible but challenging. You need portable lighting, a consistent background, and space to work. Some nomad photographers specialize in lifestyle product photography—shooting items in interesting locations—which suits travel better than studio-style white background shots.
What equipment do I need to start?
Minimum: a camera with manual controls (even a good smartphone), a tripod, a white backdrop, and a light source (natural light works). Better setup: DSLR or mirrorless camera, 50mm or macro lens, continuous LED lights or speedlights, light tent or backdrop stand. Budget $500-2,000 for a professional setup.
How much should I charge for product photography?
Beginners typically charge $15-30 per product for simple white background shots. Experienced photographers charge $50-150+ per product depending on complexity. Package deals (20+ products) often reduce per-item rates. Lifestyle shots requiring locations and styling command premium prices.
How do I work with clients remotely if products need to be shipped?
Clients ship products to your location, you shoot them, and either ship them back or forward to their next destination. This works best with smaller, non-fragile items. Many photographers focus on local clients or specialize in digital products (mockups, 3D renders) to avoid shipping logistics.
Difficulty Level
Easy 😁
Level of Passivity
Fully Active
How to Monetize
- Paid Per Hour
- Paid Per Project
- Per View/Listen
- Subscription