Product Photography Setup for Small Businesses in Pune`

You run a small business in Pune. Your products are great — but your phone photos aren't converting. You've seen those clean, bright product shots on Instagram and wondered: do I need to spend ₹80,000 on a camera to get there?

The short answer: No. You need the right setup, the right light, and optionally, a rented camera for the day.

This guide covers exactly what you need to shoot professional product photos in Pune — whether you're selling on Instagram, Meesho, Shopify, or your own website.

What Equipment Does a Small Business Actually Need for Product Photography?

For most small businesses, a complete product photography setup has four components:

1. Camera — A mirrorless or DSLR camera (Sony A7C, Canon 90D, or even a Fujifilm X-T30) gives you significantly better image quality than a phone for product shots, especially for close-ups and texture details. You don't need to own one.

2. Lens — A 50mm or 85mm prime lens is ideal. It gives you sharp, flattering focus with a naturally blurred background (bokeh) that makes products pop.

3. Lighting — Natural light from a north-facing window is free and excellent. For consistent indoor shooting, a basic 2-softbox LED kit (available for rent) eliminates shadows and colour inconsistency.

4. Background — A white foam board (₹50 at any stationery shop in Pune) or a matte white fabric backdrop is all you need for clean catalogue-style shots.

How to Set Up a DIY Product Photography Studio at Home in Pune

You don't need a dedicated studio. A corner of your flat will do.

Step 1: Choose your spot. Find a wall near a large window — ideally north-facing so you get even, diffused daylight without harsh direct sun. In most Pune apartments, early morning light between 7–9 AM near a west-facing window also works well.

Step 2: Set up your background. Tape a large white chart paper or foam board to the wall and curve it gently onto the floor (called a "sweep"). This eliminates the horizon line between wall and floor — a hallmark of professional product shots.

Step 3: Position your product. Place your product about 60–90 cm in front of the background. This distance is what creates that soft separation between your subject and the background.

Step 4: Add a reflector. Tape a second piece of white foam board on the opposite side of the window. This bounces light back onto your product, softening shadows without any additional equipment.

Step 5: Mount your camera. Use a tripod to eliminate blur. Set the camera to aperture priority mode (Av), choose f/5.6 to f/8 for sharp, detailed product shots, and let the camera handle the rest.

What Camera Settings Work Best for Product Photography?

Setting

Recommended Value

Why

Aperture

f/5.6 – f/8

Sharp details across the product

ISO

100–200

Minimal noise for clean images

White Balance

Daylight or Cloudy

Consistent, true colours

Shutter Speed

1/100s or slower (use tripod)

More light, less noise

File Format

RAW + JPEG

Flexibility in post-editing

Common Product Photography Mistakes Small Businesses Make

Shooting with overhead ceiling lights. Tube lights create a yellow cast and harsh top-shadows. Always use window light or proper softboxes instead.

Background clutter. Even one visible object behind your product will make the image look amateurish. Keep your background clean and consistent.

Not shooting enough angles. E-commerce customers can't touch your product. Give them 5–6 angles minimum: front, back, side, top, detail close-up, and one lifestyle/in-use shot.

Skipping post-processing. Even a basic Lightroom Mobile edit — adjusting exposure, white balance, and contrast — can transform a decent photo into a professional one. It takes 2 minutes per photo.

Does It Make Sense to Rent a Camera for Product Photography in Pune?

If you're shooting a new catalogue, a product launch, or seasonal content, renting a camera for a day is far more cost-effective than buying.

The math: A Sony A7C with a 50mm lens costs approximately ₹1,200–₹1,800/day on rent in Pune. That same setup costs ₹1.2–1.5 lakh to buy. If you shoot 4–5 times a year, you'll spend ₹6,000–₹9,000 annually on rentals versus ₹1.5 lakh upfront — a 94% saving.

This makes rental the obvious choice for: D2C brands doing quarterly catalogue refreshes, home bakers and food businesses shooting seasonal menus, handicraft and boutique clothing sellers on Instagram, and Etsy or Meesho sellers building a consistent visual identity.

At RentAcross, we deliver cameras and lenses directly to you in Pune — with same-day availability on most gear. You get professional equipment without the investment, storage hassle, or depreciation worry.

Frequently Asked Questions: Product Photography in Pune

Can I use my phone for product photography? For Instagram Stories and casual posts, yes. But for e-commerce listings, website banners, and print materials, a camera with a proper lens delivers noticeably better sharpness, colour accuracy, and background separation.

What is the best camera for product photography for a small business? The Sony A7C (mirrorless, full-frame) and Canon EOS 90D (DSLR) are both excellent. For budget-conscious shoots, the Fujifilm X-T30 with a 35mm f/2 lens punches well above its weight.

How much does it cost to set up a basic product photography studio at home? You can set up a basic home studio for under ₹2,000: white foam boards (₹100–200), a cheap tripod (₹800–1,200), and a rented camera and lens for the day (₹1,200–1,800). Total: under ₹3,500 for your first shoot.

Is natural light good enough for product photography? Yes — if it's diffused. Direct sunlight creates harsh shadows. Shoot near a large window on an overcast day or use sheer white curtains to diffuse bright sunlight. This gives you soft, even light that rivals an expensive studio setup.

The Fastest Way to Get Started

1. Clear a corner near your brightest window
2. Buy two white foam boards (₹100 total, from any stationery shop in Deccan, FC Road area, or Sadashiv Peth)
3. Rent a camera + 50mm lens from RentAcross for ₹1,500/day
4. Shoot 30–40 images in 2 hours
5. Edit the top 15 on Lightroom Mobile (free)

That's a complete product catalogue done in a single afternoon — for under ₹2,000.

Ready to shoot? Browse cameras available for rent in Pune at rentacross.com — doorstep delivery available.