What Type of Photography Should You Use on Your Website?

When we talk about improving a website, we often focus on SEO, structure, speed, or design. But there’s one element that can quietly make or break conversions:

Your photography.

Over the years, I’ve seen beautiful websites underperform simply because the images didn’t build trust. Let me share a real story.

A Real Client Conversation That Changed Everything

A few years ago, I worked with a client who owned an e-commerce store. She needed product photos for her website, so she sent them over.

The problem?

They were:

• Slightly blurry

• Poorly lit

• Taken at inconsistent angles

• Styled in cluttered environments

I gently suggested hiring a professional photographer.

She said no.

Her response?

“I just bought one of the best phones on the market. It has amazing resolution and one of the best cameras available.”

And she was absolutely right. The phone had excellent specs: high megapixels, sharp resolution, top-tier camera quality.

But the issue wasn’t the device.

It was the method.

The Real Problem Wasn’t the Phone

A great camera does not automatically produce great product photography.

She didn’t know:

• How to lay out the products in a visually appealing way

• How to remove distractions from the background

• How to use lighting to highlight texture and detail

• How to frame the product properly

• How to create consistency across all images

Customers notice these things immediately — even if they can’t explain why.

Photography affects:

• Trust

• Perceived value

• Professionalism

• Conversion rates

If your product looks cheap in a photo, people assume it is cheap.

Is Using Your Phone Enough for Website Photography?

Short answer: Yes — but only if you use it correctly.

Modern smartphones are incredibly powerful. In many cases, they’re capable of producing professional-level images.

But you must follow the right principles.

1. Clean, Distraction-Free Backgrounds

Your background should support the product — not compete with it.

Avoid:

• Random household items

• Busy patterns

• Wrinkled fabrics

• Harsh shadows

Best options:

• White background (great for e-commerce)

• Soft neutral tones

• Simple lifestyle settings that tell a story

If customers are looking at what’s behind the product instead of the product itself, that’s a problem.

2. Proper Lighting Is Everything

Lighting can make or break your photo.

Use:

• Natural light near a window

• Soft, diffused lighting

• Even exposure

Avoid:

• Flash directly on product

• Dark shadows

• Yellow indoor lighting

• Mixed light sources

Good lighting increases perceived quality instantly.

3. Focus, Sharpness & Resolution

Even slightly blurry images reduce trust.

Make sure:

• The product is in sharp focus

• The main detail is highlighted

• You tap to focus before shooting (on mobile)

• You don’t zoom digitally (move closer instead)

High resolution matters - but clarity matters more.

4. Angles & Cropping Matter More Than You Think

Different areas of your website require different formats.

You need:

• Square (1:1) images for product grids

• Landscape (horizontal) for banners

• Close-ups for detail shots

• Lifestyle angles to show scale

Inconsistent cropping makes your store look unprofessional.

Consistency builds brand trust.

5. Styling Is a Skill

Professional photographers understand:

• Composition

• Negative space

• Color harmony

• Brand alignment

If you’re doing it yourself, think about:

• Does this match my brand colors?

• Does this look premium or rushed?

• Would I buy this based on this photo alone?

If You Can’t Afford a Photographer…

That’s okay.

You can do it yourself — but do it intentionally.

Here’s what I recommend:

Basic DIY Setup:

• A clean table

• A white foam board or neutral backdrop

• Natural window light

• A tripod (even for a phone)

• Editing app to adjust brightness and contrast slightly

And most importantly: Take your time.

Why This Matters for Your Website

As a website designer, I can build:

• A beautiful layout

• Optimized SEO structure

• Fast loading pages

• Clear calls-to-action

But if your photos are low quality, the design can only do so much.

Photography is not decoration. It is persuasion.

The client I mentioned earlier eventually understood the difference.

She didn’t need a better phone.

She needed:

• Better lighting

• Better composition

• Better consistency

Your website visitors decide in seconds whether they trust you.

Make those seconds count.

If you're wondering whether your current website photography is helping or hurting your brand, we have professionals on staff that can review them for you.