We spent hundreds of hours on TikTok just to put together this list of the best product photography tips that we’ve learned from TikTok (you’re welcome). The best thing about these videos are that they are less than 60 seconds and super easy to follow. We’ve learned product photography hacks, photography backdrops on a budget to Instagram post ideas!

TikTok announced plans last month to move into education market and if you look at the use of hashtag #LearnOnTikTok, you’ll see why. Billions of views of this content shows how engaging educational content is to be consumed in this short form video format. We also saw a new TikTok feature: Learn on TikTok that just launched where you can explore a feed of “fun and informative videos across Science, Art, Cooking and more”.

Enjoy this collection of product photography tips and if you’re on TikTok, don’t forget to follow us for stop motion tips at @lifelapse_app!

Backdrop Ideas

Poster paper - We love using poster paper as a backdrop for product photography - no complicated backdrop set ups needed and you can find a variety of colors inexpensively at craft stores
Mirror reflecting off laptop screen - you’ll find that this popular photography trend has made its rounds with influencers and continues to be a great hack when you want an interesting backdrop. Choose a fun screen for your laptop and simply use a mirror to reflect it while you place your product on top of it
Clear tray with water, ice, bubbles, colored liquid, etc - so many interesting product shots and you can use it as a way for storytelling if it relates to your product! You can also create effects with water like ripples in the water or capturing shots as you pour in water. Play with it and have fun!

Props & Styling

Prisms - Play with light and prisms for the prettiest backdrop for your products! Here’s a stop motion idea: playing with the light reflections for the illusion of a time lapse by using our stop motion app, Life Lapse. That’s one of 12 ways you can animate one object with stop motion.
Magazines, books, journals, paper products - think about selecting magazines that speak to your brand and your audience to help tell your brand story
Textured fabrics (linens, silk, etc) - you can use things you have around the house like pillowcases, robes, sheets. Keep in mind fabrics can be hard for stop motion because it’s easy to move around when you’re moving your product
Accessories - hair ties, coasters, plates, cameras, etc!
Natural products - flowers, fruits, greenery

Capturing creatively

Play with speed and angles to create cool shots or videos
Play with textures and liquids from your products for awesome product photos! Plus, it can help tell a story about your product!

Hacks

Using inexpensive items like a pen cap to prop up your product amongst the background for depth
This aerial photo DIY hack using cardboard and taping it to the ceiling is genius! *warning: PROTECT YOUR PHONE!!!! Life Lapse is not responsible for any damage to your phone by sharing this aerial DIY tip 😆
Summer product photo hack using a kiddie pool and tiles from the hardware store to create backdrops on a budget

Stop Motion Video Ideas

Obviously obsessed with stop motion so had to plug it in here. This fun flower blooming stop motion idea from one of our fav stop motion gals Alisha Cohen from Lish Creative
Shameless plug of our most popular stop motion tutorial in our Academy, the rotating pineapple creating a pineapple smoothie! Find more tutorials on how to make stop motion videos in our Academy available free in-app or on desktop