No fancy gear. No stress. Just simple tips that make your photos shine.

We get it — booking a professional photographer isn’t always possible right away or affordable at the beginning of your business.

But that doesn’t mean you have to settle for blurry, badly-lit photos on your website. With a smartphone, some daylight, and a little guidance, you can take photos that look clean, confident, and genuinely you.

Here’s how.

1. Use Natural Light (Whenever Possible)

Skip the overhead bulbs — they cast shadows and weird colours.
Instead:

Set up near a big window
Shoot in the morning or late afternoon (not harsh midday sun)
Turn off indoor lights to avoid yellow/orange colour casts
If it’s too bright, use a sheer curtain or white sheet to soften the light

Soft, natural light = clean, fresh website photos

2. Think About What You Want to Show

Before you start snapping, ask:

What do I want visitors to see or feel?
What parts of my work or world should I show?
Do I want to look creative? Calm? Friendly? High-end?

Try to capture:

You at work (even candid, behind-the-scenes shots!)
Your products, process or tools
Your workspace or studio
Close-up textures and details
Smiles, hands, movement — they humanise your brand

3. Steady Your Camera (Tripod or Not)

Blurry = unusable.

Ways to steady your phone:

Use both hands, rest your elbows on a surface
Lean against a wall or table
Use a basic phone tripod or even a stack of books
Use the timer or remote shutter so you don’t nudge it

4. Clear the Clutter

Look at the whole background — not just the subject.

Tidy up anything distracting like tangled cables, mugs, or bins.
Neutral, calm backgrounds make your subject shine.

Tips: Try shooting against:

White walls
Wooden tabletops
Fabric backdrops (throws, sheets, scarves)
Painted boards or textured paper

**5. Shoot Horizontally and Vertically**

Website design uses both landscape and portrait shots.

Horizontal (landscape) is great for banners and galleries
Vertical (portrait) is ideal for phone views, headshots, social

Take a few of each — we’ll thank you later!

6. Editing Is Your Friend (But Go Gently)

A little editing helps:

Crop to centre your subject
Lighten up dark shots
Boost contrast slightly for clarity
Straighten skewed photos
Only if you know how to!

Use built-in tools or free apps like:

Snapseed (iOS + Android)
Lightroom Mobile
VSCO
Canva (for cropping and overlays)

🖤 Bonus Tip: Black & White Can Be Beautiful

Don’t underestimate the power of a strong black-and-white photo — especially for:

Portraits
Detail shots
Studio or workspace moments
Artistic products or handmade processes

Black and white can help:

Remove visual “noise” from a busy background
Create mood or atmosphere
Bring out contrast, texture and emotion

Use it intentionally, sparingly — and your website can feel timeless, creative, and confident.

Avoid using only black-and-white across your whole site (unless that’s your brand style), but adding a few bold monochrome shots can be wonderfully striking — especially when paired with colour elsewhere.

7. Think Website First

Keep in mind how the photos will be used:

Leave space around your subject so we can crop if needed
Don’t zoom in too tightly — wide shots can be more flexible
Try a mix of shots: full scene, mid shots, close-ups

Want a shot across your homepage? Try stepping back and leaving negative space on one side — great for text overlays!

Final Thought from David & George

You don’t need a studio or a DSLR to make a big visual impact.

Just a bit of thought, a burst of natural light, and your unique style — that’s all it takes to create beautiful, real photos that help your website come alive.

And remember: done is better than perfect.
You can always upgrade later — but what you have now is more than enough to begin!