Are you a jewelry artist looking to showcase your designs online?

When it comes to selling your jewelry online, high-quality photography is essential. Since customers can’t physically hold your pieces like they would in a store, your photos need to communicate every detail of texture, sparkle, and craftsmanship.

With the right techniques and gear, you can capture stunning images of your jewelry using just your iPhone. In this guide, we’ll walk you through lighting tips and the ideal setup for photographing jewelry on your iPhone.

Natural lighting is every jewelry photographer’s best friend. Since people will be wearing their jewelry out and about, seeing how the natural sunlight reflects off the piece is the perfect selling point. You want to avoid harsh sunlight, and it's best if the light is diffused. Either purchase a reflector or simply use a white foam board to bounce the light.

The backdrop you choose should reflect your branding. Based on the following list, select the backdrop that best aligns with your jewelry style. As a basis, focus on using a clean white backdrop, marble, linen, or textured surfaces. Props are great for adding depth to your image, but be sure they don’t distract from the jewelry or create too much clutter. To bring added context and lifestyle appeal, you can also choose to feature a model wearing the jewelry. This helps potential customers visualize how the piece looks when worn and adds a human element that can elevate the overall aesthetic of your shoot.

Capturing detail is the main goal for any close-up shot, especially if your jewelry features intricate designs, as it often does. To achieve sharp focus, use manual focus by tapping directly on the jewelry. For better composition, turn on the iPhone’s grid lines. You can either use the iPhone’s macro mode or enhance your shots with a dedicated Macro Lens, like SANDMARC’s Macro 100mm Lens is a great option for more precise, professional-quality results.

Experiment with a variety of angles, such as flat lays for a clean, editorial look, 45° angles to add depth and dimension, or close-ups to capture intricate details and textures. Be mindful of unwanted reflections, especially in metals and gems, as they can detract from the overall image.

Editing your photos can elevate them from good to stunning with just a few tweaks. Use apps like Lightroom Mobile to adjust key elements like exposure, contrast, and sharpness. Make sure to keep colors as true to life as possible, allowing the subject to shine. If you notice any dust or fingerprints, use the touch-up tools available in these apps to clean up your image, ensuring a polished and professional result.

As mentioned earlier, we recommend the Macro Lens for capturing perfect close-up shots of jewelry. When paired with a tripod and a ring light, the Macro Lens helps you achieve sharp, well-lit images that highlight every detail, making it an ideal setup for jewelry photography.

Before starting your shoot, make sure to clean your jewelry thoroughly with a microfiber cloth to remove any fingerprints, dust, or oils. For a deeper clean, lightly dampen the cloth with water and a jewelry-safe cleaner, and dry the piece completely afterward. Wearing gloves while handling the jewelry can help minimize the need for constant cleaning as you reposition it for different shots. When it comes to post-editing, aim for a natural look, avoid over-editing or overly stylizing the image.