Best Lighting for Etsy Photos: Pro Tips for Perfect Shots

If you’re wondering what’s the best lighting for Etsy photos, you’re not alone. Lighting can make or break your product images, and on Etsy—where visual appeal drives most buying decisions—great lighting can be the difference between making a sale or being ignored.

In this guide, we’ll explore the best lighting setups for Etsy product photography, comparing natural vs. artificial light, breaking down tools like softboxes and light tents, and sharing pro tips used by top Etsy sellers and product photographers.

Why Lighting Matters for Etsy Product Photography

Before diving into tools and techniques, let’s understand why lighting is critical for your Etsy shop:

Lighting affects how your product’s colors and textures appear.
Good lighting reduces post-editing time.
Well-lit images appear more professional and trustworthy.
Clear photos improve your search ranking on Etsy.

That’s why the question “What’s the best lighting for Etsy photos?” is searched thousands of times each month.

Etsy Product Photography Guide: How to Take Photos That Sell in 2025

Natural Light vs. Artificial Light for Etsy Photography

One of the most common debates among Etsy sellers is whether to use natural light or artificial light.

✅ Natural Light

Natural daylight, especially soft diffused light from a window, is often the go-to for beginners.

Pros:

Free and easy to use
Soft shadows and flattering light
Great for lifestyle photos

Cons:

Inconsistent depending on weather/time
Limited to daylight hours
Color temperature shifts throughout the day

Best time to shoot: Early morning or late afternoon (“golden hours”) when sunlight is soft and directional.

etsy product photo

✅ Artificial Light (Studio Lighting)

Artificial lighting allows consistent, controllable conditions, which is essential for high-volume sellers or those shooting at night.

Common tools:

LED panels
Ring lights
Softboxes
Light tents

Pros:

Full control over brightness and color temperature
Works any time of day
Scalable for batch shooting

Cons:

Initial investment cost
Requires setup and learning

Best artificial light for Etsy photos: 5500K daylight-balanced LED lights with adjustable brightness and diffusion panels.

Top Lighting Setups for Different Product Types

Depending on what you sell, your lighting setup might vary.

Jewelry & Small Products

Use a light tent or lightbox with diffused LED panels on three sides. This eliminates harsh shadows and creates a clean, shadowless look.

Clothing & Fashion Accessories

Use softbox lights on both sides and one from above or behind to soften shadows and highlight fabric textures.

Include a reflector (white foam board or silver reflector) for bouncing light and minimizing shadows.

Vintage Items or Textured Surfaces

Use angled lighting to emphasize texture. Avoid overly flat light which can make details disappear.

Must-Have Tools for the Best Etsy Photography Lighting

Softboxes – Mimic window light and soften shadows.
Ring Light – Great for small objects or flat lays.
Light Tent/Light Box – Ideal for jewelry, candles, and small crafts.
LED Panels – Adjustable color and brightness for pro-level lighting.
Reflectors & Bounce Boards – Help fill shadows without adding more light sources.
Backdrop Holder + Seamless Paper – Keeps background smooth and distraction-free.

Best Camera Settings with Studio Lighting

Once you’ve got your lighting setup, don’t forget your camera settings:

ISO: Keep it low (100–200) for clean images.
Aperture: f/4 to f/8 for depth and sharpness.
Shutter Speed: Use a tripod if shooting below 1/60s.
White Balance: Match your lighting (set to 5500K for daylight LEDs).

Use manual mode or aperture priority mode for full control.

Post-Processing Tips for Lit Images

Even with the best lighting, post-editing ensures consistency across your Etsy listings:

Use Lightroom or Photoshop to fine-tune exposure and color.
Match all photos in a set to maintain visual coherence.
Export in high resolution (2000px minimum on the longest side).
Keep file sizes under 2MB to meet Etsy upload standards.

Pro Tips from an Etsy Product Photographer

As a professional Etsy product photographer, I’ve worked with dozens of handmade brands and sellers across Europe and the U.S. Here are my top recommendations:

Shoot at the same time of day if using natural light for consistency.
Invest in a basic lighting kit if you shoot often—it pays off fast.
Don’t rely solely on your phone’s auto settings. Learn manual mode.
Use clean, matte backdrops to reflect less light and focus attention on your product.
Test shots with and without diffusers to see what flatters your product most.

Conclusion: What Is the Best Lighting for Etsy Photos?

The best lighting for Etsy photos depends on your product type, your time, and your tools. But in general:

For beginners: Start with indirect natural light near a large window.
For consistent quality: Use daylight-balanced LED softboxes or a light tent.
For advanced sellers: Build a mini home studio with diffused artificial lights and reflectors.

Want Better Etsy Product Photos?

If you need professional guidance, feel free to visit umurdilek.com or follow my behind-the-scenes on Instagram @umurdilekphoto. I offer remote product photography and Etsy shop visual consulting to help your listings stand out.

Contact Us for Professional Etsy Product Photography and Image Optimization Services!