Seller guide
How to Photograph Pottery and Ceramics for an Online Store
Pottery and ceramics sell on the shape, glaze and size of each piece. A clean photo shows all three and keeps the background from taking over. Most of it comes down to soft window light, a neutral backdrop and a steady set of settings.
Updated 13 October 2026
The short answer
- Shoot near a large window in indirect light, in the morning or late afternoon if you can.
- Use a neutral backdrop such as white, light grey, wood or linen, and keep it free of clutter.
- Avoid overexposing a white background, and avoid so much background that the piece gets lost.
- Add a hand or a person to show scale, and keep the lighting and camera settings the same across the set.
- Use a white card or a diffuser to soften harsh light.
Use soft window light
Jesmonite recommends shooting near a large window with indirect sunlight, in the morning or late afternoon. If the light is harsh at midday, put a diffuser such as a white shower curtain, tracing paper or baking paper against the window. Hold a piece of white card opposite the window to bounce light back onto the piece.
Choose a neutral backdrop, and do not overexpose it
Savannah Clay Community says a white background is good, and that it makes a photo easier to use in publicity, since a white image is easier to fit into a magazine layout. The same source warns that a white background can overexpose the image if you are not careful. Keep the background clean, and check the highlights on the glaze.
Frame the piece, not the room
Savannah Clay Community lists common problems to avoid: a distracting frame, a vignette, a paper background that shows creases, or an environment that competes with the piece. Too much background also makes a small piece get lost, so fill the frame with the piece while leaving some space around it.
Keep scale and settings consistent
- A hand or a person in the frame shows scale and warmth, as Jesmonite suggests.
- Use the same lighting and camera settings across the whole set, so pieces look consistent in the shop.
- Show the front, the back and the base, so buyers see the full form and the foot of the piece.
Free tools for this
Try it on your own photo
FAQ
Questions sellers ask
Should pottery be shot on a white background?
A white or neutral background is a good choice. It keeps the piece the focus and makes the photo easier to use in publicity.
How do I avoid overexposing a white background?
Check the highlights, and keep the light soft. Savannah Clay Community warns that a white background can overexpose the image.
What is the best light for ceramics?
Soft indirect light from a large window. Shoot in the morning or late afternoon, and diffuse harsh midday light.
Why add a hand to a pottery photo?
A hand shows the size of the piece and adds warmth to the image, which helps buyers judge scale.
Sources
- Savannah Clay Community: photographing your work
- Jesmonite: top tips to make products look good on Etsy
Z Product AI makes some of the tools compared here. Competitor details come from their own sites and public reviews as of 13 October 2026.