8 Creative Jewelry Photography Ideas

It’s no secret that jewelry photography can be quite tricky. Your sense of composition has to be spot on because it’s really easy to make jewelry photos look too busy: add one extra prop and the overall balance is disrupted. In portrait photography, for instance, you can try various vantage points – shoot really close or from afar, shoot from up or below, and so on. But since jewelry tends to be quite small, the majority of your photos will be closeups and macro shots; otherwise, buyers won’t be able to see all the details properly. At the same time, your photos have to be gripping and dynamic enough to grab the attention of potential clients and customers. That’s quite a challenge, indeed.

Well, your room for creativity might be somewhat limited, but it’s still possible for you to experiment and create something unique, unforgettable and mesmerizing. Something that will make people stop scrolling and want to make a purchase.

If you need a little nudge in the right direction, you’ve come to the right place. This article features some creative jewelry photography ideas that will get you inspired and help you create images that will be impossible to scroll past. Additionally, you will learn what you should do before uploading your jewelry photos to social media or your website. After all the hard work, you do want them to look professional, sharp and clear, right?

Alright, let’s get started.

A Couple of Technical Tips for Jewelry Photography

There are some technical challenges that you might need to tackle as a jewelry photographer. So, before we move on to something fun and creative, here are a couple of technical tips for you.

Deal with glare and reflections

Silver, gold and other metals that jewelry is usually made out of are reflective and shiny. The same is true for gemstones. There will be reflections of you, your camera and your equipment in the pieces of jewelry that your photographing. Plus, the light sources might produce some unwanted glare.

Therefore, when photographing jewelry, you will need to figure out how to minimize or even completely get rid of reflections and glare. What you can do to make your life and work much easier is to get a light cone or a light tent. It’s a piece of white material that’s shaped like a cone with a hole at the top. This material is usually semi-sheer, so you will be able to shine some hard light through it. You will need to shoot through the hole at the top. A light cone will help you get rid of all the reflections and glare as well as get that nice, soft light.

What you can also do is to get a polarizing lens filter. It can really minimize glare and help you get rid of reflections. And since you won’t have to shoot through a single hole – like with the light cone – you will be able to try out different camera angles. Plus, polarizing filters might come in handy if you decide to shoot some jewelry photography outdoors.

Clean jewelry first

Remember that you need to show pieces of jewelry in their full glory. And to achieve that it’s important for you to remove all the blemishes and dirty spots before you setup everything and start shooting. Don’t use any harsh chemicals. A special jewelry cleanser, mild soap or even some toothpaste are usually perfect for cleaning jewelry. Any residues can be removed with a piece of lint-free cloth or a tissue.

It’s also a good idea to keep jewelry as clean as possible during the shoot. This will save you loads of time in post-production since you won’t have to get rid of all the fingerprints, smudges or dirt in Photoshop.

Creative Jewelry Photography Ideas

Alright, now it’s time to get inspired!

1. Take advantage of reflections

Yes, jewelry is shiny and reflective, but it can be a good jewelry photography idea to add even more reflections. With the right equipment, some light diffusion and by trying out different angles, you might be able to tackle the challenge of working with reflections and get some really jaw-dropping results. Please note, though, that if you’re going to add a reflective surface, don’t use a polarizer filter. Otherwise, you won’t get any beautiful reflections. Also, be ready that it might be a bit difficult to pull off if you are a beginner photographer.

Most commonly, a mirror is used as a reflective surface. You can place a piece of jewelry on it or ask a model to hold a piece of jewelry in front of the mirror and then take a photo of only the reflection. You can also use other reflective surfaces like metal or glass – they will produce a more mild reflection, which can look quite interesting.

2. Add some pizzazz with water

Just like when doing product photography, water can really help you out when taking photos of jewelry. You can grab a glass bottle or a glass, pour some water in it, then place it in front of a source of harsh light. In can be a ray of sunlight or some lighting equipment. Then just place a piece of jewelry into that speck of light cast by the water. It’s a good idea to shine light through an empty or half-empty glass, too. You can fill a transparent bin with water, place it over your setup or near your setup, then shine the light through it. This way, you can get some mesmerizing shadows and splashes of light. With this jewelry photography idea, you can get some truly stunning photos.

Alternatively, you can actually place pieces of jewelry in the water, then carefully move the water around to create some swirls and therefore add some dynamic element to the overall scene. You can freeze water, then photograph jewelry on pieces of ice. What’s more, you can actually freeze flowers in blocks of ice, then photograph jewelry among them.

3. Choose the right props

Your photos should show all the fine details of jewelry. But it can be a bit of a challenge to do this, considering all the unusual shapes and the small size that jewelry usually has. Utilizing the right props can make a world of a difference. It might be a good idea to get some jewelry holders and stands – they are great for displaying bracelets, necklaces and so on. You will be able to place a piece of jewelry on a stand then photograph it from all the sides and angles. Also, consider getting some jewelry mannequins and jewelry trays.

What’s great about these props is that they can not only make it easier for you to photograph all the small details, but also add something extra to the overall scene or help you create a certain vibe. For instance, a simple jewelry stand would be great for a minimalistic setup, whereas a vintage jewelry holder would be perfect for something more classy and old-fashioned; maybe a Victorian-inspired set up.

Just remember that it’s really easy to go overboard with props. So, start with only one prop, then add a second or even a third one if necessary.

4. Keep it simple

A minimalistic setup can look great with jewelry of different styles. If you have a more opulent piece of jewelry that has a lot of gemstones and details, using a minimalistic set up will help you focus all the attention on it. Plus, your photos won’t be loaded with too many details and thus won’t overwhelm the viewers. If, on the other hand, you have a set of minimalistic jewelry to shoot, minimalistic setup will help you highlight its luxurious simplicity.

There’s some flexibility to minimalism. You can use white or off-white background to create a clean-look. If you want to emphasize the colors of materials – gold, silver and gemstones – it might be better to use a dark-colored background. Preferable black, graphite or dark grey. The colors will really pop against it. Finally, you can opt for using one or several brand colors to strengthen associations with the brand.

Here’s a tip. It might be a good idea for you not only to use brand colors but add a brand logo into photos as well. You can show a little bit of packaging with a brand logo. Or, if the packaging doesn’t fit into the scene all that well, you can actually add a logo to your photos with the help of a watermarking app. The main benefit of this method is that you can add a logo in a subtle way. You can add it somewhere in the background or add it to a prop in your photo. This way, a logo will fit into photos organically. People will see the brand logo and remember it better. If you or your client doesn’t have a brand logo yet, you can add text to your photos instead. It can be a brand name, website address or social media handle. Textual watermarks are quite popular! Watermarks are extremely effective for both protecting photos from thieves and raising brand awareness.

5. Create juxtaposition

Here’s another jewelry photography idea – a great way to highlight the main subject is to add juxtaposition into the overall scene. If a piece of jewelry is quite textured, then you want to shoot it against a smooth background and maybe with props that have a smooth surface. So, the juxtaposition here is rough versus smooth texture. On the other hand, if the main subject is a smooth piece of jewelry that barely has any patterns or gemstones – say, a simple silver ring – you can use a textured background. For instance, you can take photos of a simple silver ring on a piece of rock that has some holes and indents. Its rough texture will highlight the smooth surface of the ring.

Another way of introducing juxtaposition is with the help of colors. For instance, you can use a complimentary color scheme. If a silver ring has a red ruby in it, you can use green – red’s complimentary color – for the background and props. It will create a very powerful and eye-catching contrast.

6. Hire a model

It’s a well-known fact that buyers prefer photos with a human element in them. After all, when people buy jewelry they want to see how it looks on a human for two reasons. First of all, it gives them a better understanding of jewelry’s size. Secondly, with a model in the photo, it’s easier for them to envision themselves wearing a piece of jewelry.

In most cases, it’s better to focus on the details and take photos of only an ear with an earring or a hand with a ring. It’s the best of both worlds: this kind of photos have a human element, but at the same time since there’s no face, it’s easier for people to visualize themselves in a model’s place. Plus, most pieces of jewelry are small. Thus, buyers will be able to see all the details and view the entire piece of jewelry much better in a close-up shot.

Since you don’t really have to show a face, you don’t necessarily need a model. If you are up for a bit of a challenge, that is. Yep, you can practice both self-portrait photography and jewelry photography if you don’t have a model to work with or maybe you’re scared to work with a model. It will probably be a more difficult and time-consuming process since you will be both a photographer and a model. And you will also need a tripod. But you will be able to get some great results within the comfort of your home and working all by yourself.

7. Use storytelling

This is probably the most important jewelry photography idea of all. Storytelling is a part of many brands’ marketing strategies these days. Because storytelling really works. So, tell a story with your photos. Think what objects can surround a piece of jewelry that you need to photograph.

For instance, if it’s an engagement ring, it can be in a beautiful jewelry box hidden among flowers. By photography jewelry in a jewelry box you can make people envision themselves giving it to someone as a gift. If you need to photograph a pair of earrings that can be worn every day, then use simple props that are used on a daily basis. Use some velvet cushions or silk fabric as a background when photographing opulent pieces of jewelry. This will help you create a more luxurious atmosphere.

Your photos can tell a story about how a piece of jewelry was made or what it is for. They can tell a story about how this piece of jewelry can fit into a buyer’s life. Ask yourself: Who is this piece of jewelry for? Is it for a young woman who’s following trends? Is it some fun little trinket? Is it a necklace for a businesswoman who wants something neat and classy? Can these opulent earrings show off someone’s wealth and status? Think of the target audience and their lifestyle, then create photos that demonstrate that very lifestyle.

8. Get creative and experiment!

If you want to know a vital key to getting show-stopping jewelry photos, here it is – don’t be afraid to experiment! Once you’ve set up everything, get creative and have some fun. Try out different angles. Try shooting from above and below, do a flatlay or put a piece of jewelry on a prop. Give a try to an unusual angle; even if you think it’s odd.

Experiment with various compositions until you land on something that looks harmonious and dynamic. Arrange and rearrange all the pieces of jewelry and the props. Try different combinations of props and pieces of jewelry. Try out different background for one and the same piece of jewelry. Experiment with different color combinations. Try shooting different pieces of jewelry with one and the same setup. Use props and various tools to create a more interesting composition. For instance, you can use a piece of transparent tape to make a ring or an earring stand. Or you can use some fruit as a prop and stick earrings to it.

Whatever ideas come to your mind, give them a try. That’s exactly how you can produce something truly unique.

What You Should Do Before Publishing Your Photos Online

No matter if you are a jewelry photographer or an owner of a jewelry brand doing all the photography by yourself, you need to know how to optimize your photos for the web correctly. It would be a shame if after all the hard work that you’ve done, your mesmerizing jewelry photos will look pixelated and blurry after they are uploaded to your website or social media.

If you upload large-sized, high-resolution photos onto your website, they will significantly slow down the load speed of your website. You’ve probably visited a website where you had to wait for a while – a very frustrating while – for all the images to load fully. Well, this usually happens when images are large-sized and high-resolution.

What should you do to avoid this? Your images need to be compressed.

Image compression makes the file size much smaller. Image quality will decrease, too, but only ever so slightly. The changes will be unnoticeable to the human eye. As a result, you will get small-sized images that are sharp and clear. They will load quickly on your website, while looking nice and professional. Exactly the combination that you need! Compressing images isn’t that hard. You can do that in an online image compressor – it would be better if it supports batch-processing, so you could compress multiple images at the same time.

Now, image compression is necessary only for the images that you need to publish on a website. Popular social media platforms compress your images automatically. This is how they handle all the content that’s uploaded onto them on a daily basis. Still, you need to prep your images for social media, as well. If you upload high-resolution originals, automatic compression will surely butcher image quality. What you need to do is to resize your images, so that they meet the size requirements. All social media platforms have them.

You can use a search engine to find out all the necessary size requirements, then change the pixel dimensions of your images. Alternatively, you can use an online image cropper that has some presets for popular social media. Afterall, the majority of social media platforms require you not only to resize your images but crop them as well. These presets allow you to change the aspect ratio and the pixel dimensions of your images to the necessary ones. And you won’t have to look up the size requirements first!

Last, but not least. When it comes to publishing images online, always make sure that they are in the correct format. JPEG is supported by all social media platforms, websites, browsers, software and devices. So, make sure that your images are in this format. If they are not, convert them to JPEG.

Conclusion

Jewelry photography is tricky and does require some skills, knowledge and preparation before the shoot. Additionally, you won’t be able to enjoy as much creative freedom here as in other genres. Nevertheless, there’s still some room for experimentation. You can get some eye-catching photos and stand out from the crowd. Hopefully, you’ve found some inspiration in this article as well as learned a couple of useful technical tips. If you need some more inspiration, get a pen and a piece of paper and brainstorm some more jewelry photography ideas. Look around the house or go to a thrift store for some props that can inspire you. Then get to work! Inspiration can come to you in the process.