If you are planning the recordings for your assortment, you will find the process and the services at jewellery photography in Berlin.
I'm often asked if you can't make jewellery photos yourself. The honest answer: Yes, you can. Many brands have started this way. So that you can make a good decision, I show both sides here.
What you need for self-photography
| Equipment | For what | Rough costs |
|---|---|---|
| Light tent or 2 permanent lights with diffuser | Soft, uniform light and controlled reflections | ca. 40–250 € |
| Tripod | Sharp images and the same perspective for all articles | ca. 30–150 € |
| Camera with macro | Details such as versions and engravings | Smartphone up to 1,000 € and more |
| Reflectors, dough, holder | Place jewellery, direct light into stones | approx. 20–50 € |
| Image editing | Clear, remove dust, correct colours | often subscription, approx. 12–25 € / month |
The prices are rough benchmarks for typical entry-level and middle-class equipment.
What makes DIY jewellery photography difficult
- Reflexes: Polished metal reflects camera, hands and room. Without targeted light guidance, gold looks flaky and silver grey.
- Stones: For diamonds and zirconia to sparkle, small, targeted light points are needed. In the light tent, they often appear flat.
- Sharpness: For macro shots, only a narrow range is sharp. For continuous sharpness, professionals work with focus stacking.
- Colour fidelity: Yellow gold, rose gold and white gold have to look like real on the picture, otherwise there will be returns.
- Uniformity: Keeping the same look over 50 articles is harder than a single beautiful picture.
- Retouch: Each grain of dust is visible in the magnification. Post-processing often takes longer than recording.
DIY and professional photography compared
Self-photography
- Full flexibility, new pictures at any time
- Low running costs after purchase
- Good for stories, behind-the-scenes, fast tests
- High time expenditure, especially for retouching
- Learning curve for light, sharpness and colour
- Uniform look over many articles is difficult
Commissioning a professional
- Constant quality throughout the collection
- Marketplace-suitable product images on white background without rework
- Editing included, formats as desired
- You save time for product, sales and marketing
- Planning necessary: goods must be sent to the studio
- Cost per image, with me €20 per image and view per product picture on white background
Calculator: what does DIY photography really cost?
Example values for adjustment. The invoice compares product images on white background. Your own time is also money, even if you do not pay them.
When DIY photography makes sense
- They're just starting and testing which products are arriving.
- You need fast content for Instagram stories or TikTok.
- They sell unique items in small quantities that change quickly.
- They enjoy photography and want to learn the craft.
When a professional is worth it
- They regularly have new collections or a large assortment.
- They sell on Amazon, Zalando or Etsy and need clean product images on a white background.
- Her jewellery is shiny, has stones or is high-priced.
- You want a uniform look for shop, catalog and advertising.
- Your time is better spent in product, sales or marketing.
The middle way
Many of my customers combine both: product images on a white background, on-model photos and campaign images come from the professional, fast content for social media makes them themselves. Thus, the shop remains uniform and high-quality, and you are still flexible.
5 tips if you take photos yourself
- Clean each piece with a microfibre cloth and then touch it only with gloves.
- Use daylight or permanent light, never the flash of the camera. Diffuse light from the side reduces hard reflections.
- Work with tripod and self-starterSo nothing shakes up.
- Keep perspective and distance equalso that your items in the shop look uniform.
- Check the colours on screen next to the real piece, especially gold and rose gold.
Frequently asked questions
Can I photograph jewellery with my smartphone?
For Instagram stories or first tests, yes. For shop pictures, the smartphone quickly meets the limits of jewellery: reflections on metal, lack of sharpness with small details and colour deviations in gold and silver can only be solved with controlled light, tripod and post-processing.
What do I need to photograph jewellery myself?
At least one light tent or two uniform light sources, a tripod, a camera with macro function or macro lens and an image editing software. In addition, there is time for learning light guidance and retouching.
How long does a jewellery photo take, including processing?
With exercise often 10 to 30 minutes per image for construction, recording, opening and retouching. With shiny jewellery with stones it can take much longer.
When is a professional worth it?
As soon as you regularly have new items, sell them on marketplaces or want a uniform, high-quality appearance. At HB Photography, a product picture on a white background costs a fixed €20 per image and view, including editing.
Can I combine both?
Yes. Many brands make product images on a white background and campaign images professionally and produce fast content such as stories or behind-the-scenes themselves.
More time for your brand
Would you like to spend your time in product and sales? Together we agree on a safe shipping option. In the Berlin area a collection is also possible by arrangement. Product images on a white background cost fixed €20 per image and view, including processing.