How to take better social media images

In our last blog post, we talked about how to take great product photos using simple tools. So what’s next? What’s the next step once your jewelry already looks sharp in front of the camera?

The answer: lifestyle photos – the kind of images that don’t just show what you sell, but who you are as a brand. Mood, life, personality. Visual storytelling that makes your content interesting – and lets your customers dream a little.

Sounds fancy? It doesn’t have to be. With a smartphone in hand (yep, we’re using an iPhone 16 Pro Max again) and a few simple techniques, you can take photos that feel just as polished as studio shots.

In this guide, we’ll show you how to take lifestyle images that are both eye-catching and true to your brand’s visual identity – in a simple, effective way. Let’s go!

When you’re shooting lifestyle photos, you’ve got a bit more freedom to play – and that’s the perfect time to dig into what your phone’s camera can actually do. Most modern smartphones (like the iPhone 16 Pro Max) have a ton of features and settings that can take your photos from “pretty good” to “wow”.

My best advice? Try stuff.
Switch between standard, portrait, and macro mode. Use 0.5x wide-angle to capture more of the scene, or 2x/3x zoom for a tighter, focused feel. Try shooting in RAW if your phone allows it – it gives you more flexibility if you want to edit later.

Ever tried holding your finger on the screen to lock focus and exposure? It gives you way more control so the camera doesn’t randomly adjust itself halfway through the shot.

The most important thing isn’t knowing every setting – it’s just trying things out. If it looks cool? That’s your style now.
It doesn’t need to be technically perfect – just visually satisfying.

And hey, if keeping things simple feels best for you – do that. You can totally use the same approach we covered in the product photo blog. It works here too.
What matters most is that you get photos you’re happy with.

Your phone’s a powerful tool – just take a little time to learn what it can do.

Lighting still plays a huge role when taking lifestyle photos. The difference is, you’ve got more freedom now to play with mood and contrast – but that doesn’t mean you need to buy lighting gear or build a mini studio at home.

Rule of thumb: Turn off artificial lights and use natural daylight. It gives a softer, more natural vibe and helps you avoid yellow tones, harsh shadows, and weird colour mixes – just like with product photos.

Set up near a window, but not in direct sunlight – this gives you nice, soft lighting. Let the light come from the side to create some depth and shadow. It adds personality without being too harsh.

Want more control?
Start shaping the light with a few small tricks:

Use a bounce card (like white cardboard, foam board, or paper) to reflect light and brighten shadows.

Use dark surfaces (like black card) to block light and add contrast.

Got harsh shadows? Soften them by hanging a thin light fabric (like a curtain or tissue paper) in front of the window – DIY diffuser vibes.

You don’t need to master every technique – what matters is experimenting. Even a small bounce card tweak can turn a dull image into something that pops.

In short: let daylight do the heavy lifting. Adjust, test, observe. The more you practice, the better you’ll understand light – and the closer you’ll get to the look you want.

When shooting lifestyle photos, the “rules” are a bit different from clean product shots. It’s not just about showing off the jewellery – it’s about creating a mood, a vibe, a setting that fits your brand.

This means you can let more happen in the frame. The jewellery can be part of a bigger scene – as long as it stays the focal point. Here are some ideas based on the mood you want:

• An earring in an ear – natural, personal, human
• Jewellery on a bathroom or nightstand – everyday luxury
• A bracelet on a towel at the beach – summer, warmth, chill vibes
  (Watch out for harsh sunlight in outdoor photos – it’s trickier, but can be stunning if used right.)

Keeping it simple?
You can absolutely use the same techniques from the product photo blog as a base. You just get more freedom here – for example, strong contrast is totally fine in lifestyle shots, so you don’t need bounce cards to soften the light.

An easy setup? Stand near a window with soft natural light. Skip the white background – use a tabletop, a nightstand, or a regular spot in your home. With the right light and some camera basics, even a fast snap can look like a pro lookbook shot.

Just remember: you don’t need to learn it all at once. Start simple, build as you go – and most importantly: play around and find what works for you and your brand.

This isn’t a how-to manual of “right” and “wrong”. It’s a practical guide for anyone who hasn’t done much photography – or just wants to take better photos in a simple, effective way.

There are lots of styles and approaches – and maybe something else works better for your brand and your product.
And that’s totally fine.

If you’ve ever thought “I don’t even know where to begin” – this is your starting point.
We keep it easy, use gear most people already have, and focus on getting shots that actually support your brand.