How to Photograph Jewelry for Instagram (Best Photoshoot Ideas)

You have beautiful jewelry that you’d like to display on Instagram, but you just can’t get the right photos. 

If this situation sounds familiar, you’ve come to the right place. Whether you’re looking to sell your jewelry or show off your latest finds, taking great jewelry photos is essential. Read this guide to learn how to photograph jewelry for Instagram. 

Clean Your Jewelry 

Take time to clean your jewelry before you start snapping photos. The camera will catch even the smallest bits of dirt, so you want your jewelry sparkling clean before you start shooting. 

You can use a soft cloth, mild detergent, and warm water to clean your jewelry. You can also use a soft toothbrush to get into the jewelry’s small crevices. Also, remember to wear gloves when handling your jewelry during the photo shoot, as this will prevent it from getting dirty. We recommend wiping your jewelry down with a clean cloth whenever you make adjustments to ensure it stays clean. 

Related: How to Clean Beaded Jewelry

Find Your Light 

First things first, you need to find the right lighting. You should never use flash to photograph jewelry for Instagram, as this will cause the photo to reflect the bright light and lead to white spots on your jewelry. 

Unless you’re a skilled photographer with a professional studio, take your jewelry photos in the natural light. If you’re indoors, find a spot close to the window during the daytime. Remember that you want the sun as an indirect light source, so avoid spots where the sunlight is shining too brightly. 

If the sun is too bright near your window, you can cover the window with a white sheet of paper or a thin sheet. 

Use White as your Backdrop 

While a white backdrop may sound boring, it’s the best solution when taking photos of jewelry. However, white backgrounds are the industry standard for product images - and for a good reason! 

For one, you want your jewelry to be the star of the show. Jewelry items are small, and you likely have a lot of intricate details you want to show off. However, if you have a colorful, patterned background, this will detract attention from the jewelry. 

White backgrounds also prevent jewelry from reflecting or absorbing any colors of light from the surroundings. The jewelry will look as close as possible in the photo to how it looks in person. This is essential for customer satisfaction if you ever plan to sell your jewelry. 

Plus, sites like Amazon and eBay require you to use a white background, so you’ll need to do this if you ever plan to sell your jewelry. 

Consider Using a Model 

You can bring your photos to life by having someone model your jewelry. You can even use your hand for jewelry photos if you want. Either way, a model will help people see how the jewelry looks when someone wears it. 

Make sure the model’s hands are well-manicured for the photo. If you don’t have time to paint your nails, just make sure your nails and cuticles are clean and shiny. 

Click here to learn how to match makeup to jewelry! 

Consider Using a Mannequin Bust or Cardboard 

You can also use a mannequin bust or a piece of cardboard if getting a model seems like too much work. Mannequin busts are particularly useful for necklaces, as they help show how the necklace will lay on the body. 

If you can’t find a bust or don’t want to pay for one, you can also display your necklaces using a piece of cardboard to create a jewelry clipboard. Cut out a square of cardboard and cover it with a white sheet of paper. Then, pin or tape the ends of the necklace to the cardboard. You can also use double-sided tape or glue dots to stick your jewelry to the cardboard. 

Related: How to Style Your Necklaces 

Use a Tripod 

You should use a tripod whether you’re photography with your phone or a professional camera. A tripod will ensure the camera doesn’t shake and the image doesn’t turn out blurry. 

Look for a tripod with a remvlable ball head, as this will help you achieve your desired angles for your photos. While the tripod head is locked, you can move your camera freely to get the right angle, then secure it once you’ve found the spot. 

Use Multiple Angles 

Taking photos from multiple angles will help you best showcase your jewelry on Instagram. Here are some angle ideas:

• Wide: A wide-angle is best for photos with multiple items and models. It’s also good if you’re doing shots with multiple props. For example, if you’re taking photos of a pearl necklace, you may want to place some flowers next to the necklace to make it look more elegant. 

• Framed: Framed shots are best for main product images with plain or white backgrounds. In this case, the jewelry should take up about 80% of the image. 

• Close-Up: Close-up shots help you emphasize any special details or hallmarks. 

• Side-On: Side-on shots are fantastic for revealing the texture of the jewelry. They also help provide a sense of touch to viewers. 

We also recommend using Instagram’s layout feature so you can show off all the angles in one shot. However, separate photos arranged in a carousel also work well.  

Edit the Photos 

Don’t forget to take some time to edit your jewelry photos before posting them to Instagram. We recommend avoiding any fancy filters, as this can alter how the jewelry looks in real life. 

Adjust the brightness to help the jewelry look vibrant and correct overexposure. You can adjust the contrast to make the jewelry pop out from the background. We recommend going back from the original to the revised version to ensure you haven’t gone too far with your editing. 

Related: The Best Summer Jewelry

Have Fun With It!

The above tips will make you a pro jewelry photographer in no time. You don’t need a fancy camera to get great jewelry photos for Instagram - you only need the right lighting, background, and some good angles! 

Check out this Lackore Couture guide to learn how to accessorize with jewelry and not break the bank!