Summer comes with bright, warm weather, and the season gives you more chances to take fun and eye-catching pictures to showcase your offerings. But to really make your products shine, it’s important to think about your background and lighting. These two elements can completely change how your product looks and how a customer feels about it. If you’ve been wondering how you can exploit these elements to your advantage during product photo shoots, here are some useful tips for you:

Choose Backgrounds That Feel Like Summer

Your background should match the mood of the season. In the summer, people think of beaches, picnics, ice cream, sunshine, and outdoor fun. So, use backgrounds that bring that feeling to life. A wooden table outside, a colorful blanket on grass, or a bright wall with sunshine can all make your product pop.

Natural settings work well because they add texture and interest without being distracting. For example, if you're selling sunglasses, try placing them on a beach towel next to a book and a cool drink. If it’s handmade jewelry, you could photograph it on a sunny windowsill with some flowers nearby. These small choices help create a full summer vibe that connects with buyers.

Use Natural Light Whenever You Can

Natural sunlight is one of the best tools you can use for photography. In summer, the days are longer, and the sun is stronger, which means you have more time to work with great light. Morning and late afternoon light is soft and golden, which is perfect for product photos.

Importantly, avoid taking pictures at midday when the sun is directly above. That kind of light can cause harsh shadows and make your photo look too bright or washed out. And if you must shoot at that time, try moving into a shaded area or using a white sheet to soften the light.

Play With Bright Colors and Props

Summer is a colorful season, so don't be afraid to add fun colors to your photos. Backgrounds with sky blue, sunshine yellow, or soft pink can give a photo energy without taking away attention from the product. Also, try using summer-themed props like fresh fruit, seashells, cold drinks, or sunglasses to set the scene.

Remember, your props should feel like part of the story and not the story itself. For example, if you’re selling a water bottle, show it on a picnic blanket with a sandwich and a sunny backdrop. This gives the customer a picture of how the product fits into their summer life. It’s not about making the scene perfect, but about making it feel real and inviting.

Keep the Focus on the Product

Even though you want your photos to feel fun and summery, the product still needs to be the star. Make sure it's placed in the center or clearly in focus. If your background is too busy, people might not know where to look. One easy way to fix this is by using a blurry background effect, also known as a shallow depth of field. This keeps your product sharp while everything behind it is soft and out of focus.

Using plain or softly textured backgrounds can also help. A sandy beach, a painted wall, or a wooden deck are all great options that don’t distract from your product. The goal is to use the season to support the photo, not steal the show.

Take Advantage of Golden Hour

Golden hour is the short time after sunrise or just before sunset when the sun gives off a soft, golden light. It’s a favorite time for photographers because it makes everything look warm and glowing. Using golden hour lighting for your summer product photos can add a cozy and dreamy feeling to your images.

This kind of lighting works well for outdoor shoots. It softens shadows and adds a slight glow that makes products look more beautiful. If you’re selling items like clothing, accessories, or anything that people use outside, golden hour light can help set the perfect mood and show the product in its best form.

Use Reflectors or White Surfaces to Bounce Light

Sometimes, even in summer, the lighting can fall unevenly. One side of your product might look too dark. A simple way to fix this is by using something white to bounce the light back onto the darker side. This can be a white wall, a piece of cardboard, or a professional reflector if you have one.

Bouncing light is especially useful when you're taking pictures in a spot with lots of sunlight on one side. It helps balance the brightness so your product looks clean and even. You don’t need expensive tools for this; a white T-shirt stretched over a chair can work as a soft reflector.

Try Flat Lay Photography for a Bright Look

Flat lay photography means laying your products down and taking a photo from above. This style works well with colorful backgrounds and props. You can use things like patterned towels, picnic tables, or outdoor rugs as your base, then place your product neatly with summer-themed items around it.

This setup is great for small products like food items, accessories, skincare, or stationery. It’s easy to do outside on a sunny day, and the bright natural light helps make colors pop. Just be sure not to overcrowd the image. Keep the layout simple so the product stands out clearly.

Edit Your Photos Without Overdoing It

After taking your photos, you might want to make small edits. That’s totally okay. Adjusting the brightness, contrast, and sharpness can help your photo look its best. But try to keep the edits natural. Too much editing can make the colors look fake and take away the soft summer feel.

There are many free or low-cost editing tools that are easy to use. Even most phones have built-in options that let you brighten an image, soften shadows, or boost the colors a little. The goal is to enhance the feeling of summer without making the image look unrealistic.

Conclusion

Summer is the perfect time to bring new energy into your product photos. With natural light, seasonal backgrounds, and thoughtful props, you can create images that feel fresh, bright, and full of life. These kinds of photos help customers imagine your products in their own sunny adventures, whether it’s a picnic, a beach day, or just enjoying warm weather at home. So, step outside, enjoy the sunshine, and let summer work its magic on your next photo shoot. Contact us today to know more about our professional product photography service! We offer the best quality photos that highlights your product in a way that will get your customers to pay attention.