How to Create Stunning Product Photography on a Shoestring Budget

Royal Fox T-Shirt, mockup created with MidJourney + Photoshop

The Flat Lay Method That Sells

Hi sweet friends! 💛

Are you staring at your arty print-on-demand products, knowing they deserve better than that quick phone snap on your kitchen counter or the dreaded boring white background from your POD supplier? I totally get it. Professional product photography can feel like this massive, expensive hurdle between you and those dreamy sales you've been visualizing.

But you don't need a fancy studio or a four-figure photography budget to create images that stop the scroll and convert browsers into buyers. Today, I'm sharing my go-to method for creating professional-looking product photography that costs practically nothing and takes less than an hour to execute.

The secret is strategic flat lay photography combined with a little digital magic.

Mermaid Love Enamel Mug, mockup created with Unsplash + Photoshop

Why Flat Lays Work So Well for Product Sales

Flat lay photography isn't just trendy – it's incredibly effective for selling products because it tells a story. Instead of showing your product in isolation, you're showing it living its best life in a real-world context. Your customers can suddenly envision how your greeting card might look paired with an adorable gift wrapped package or how your art print would fit with their home decor.

Plus, flat lays are forgiving. No need to worry about complex angles – flat lays are taken from directly above, which naturally creates a clean, organized composition.

Sandy Claus Throw Pillow, mockup created with MidJourney + Photoshop

Product Photography: Style the Perfect Flat Lay for Your Bestseller

Here's how to create a professional flat lay using a rights-free image from Unsplash and your product photo:

What You'll Need:

• Your product photo (taken on a plain background for easy editing)

• A flat lay background image from Unsplash

• Photoshop or Canva

  
  

Step-by-Step Process:

1. Choose your background – Open your selected flat lay photo from Unsplash in Photoshop or Canva

2. Prep your product – Open your product photo in the same program

3. Remove the background – Use the background removal tool to isolate your product

4. Position and resize – Copy/paste your product onto the flat lay background, adjusting size and placement to look natural 

5. Add realism – Depending on your background, add a subtle drop shadow or adjust the lighting to make your product appear naturally placed in the scene (bonus tip if using Photoshop Beta, you can now use the harmonize feature and Photoshop will blend the product into the background using AI to enhance lighting and shadows)

6. Final touches – Adjust colors, contrast, or saturation to ensure your product fits seamlessly with the background lighting

Pro Tips for Next-Level Results:

• Make sure the lighting direction in both images matches (shadows should fall the same way)

• Consider the scale – your product should look proportionally correct in the scene

• Save your file as a high-resolution image for crisp social media and website use (be sure to compress the high-res image for website use)

• Keep a library of favorite flat lay backgrounds for consistent branding

Alternative Option: 

Use AI image generators to create custom flat lay scenes by describing your ideal setup, then follow the same editing steps above.

Swimming in Succulents Hardbound Journal, mockup created with MidJourney + Photoshop

Making It Work for Your Brand

The beauty of this method is its flexibility. Selling cozy home goods? Choose warm, textured backgrounds with soft lighting. Creating bold, modern art? Go for clean, minimalist scenes with plenty of white space. Your flat lay should feel like a natural extension of your brand story.

Remember, consistency is key. Once you find a style that resonates with your audience, stick with it across your product line. This creates a cohesive, professional look that builds trust and recognition.

Bee a Rainbow Spiral Notebook, mockup created with Unsplash + Photoshop

Your Next Steps

This week, I challenge you to try this technique with one of your bestselling products. Start simple – choose a clean, well-lit Unsplash image that complements your product's vibe. Don't

overthink it. The goal is to create something more polished than what you have now, not to achieve perfection on your first try.

Your products deserve to be seen in their full glory, and your customers deserve to see exactly how these beautiful creations will enhance their lives. With this simple flat lay method, you're giving both your products and your customers exactly what they need.

Now go create something that makes people stop scrolling and start buying! 🌼