Having an active social media presence and a strong online profile is essential for any business looking to reach its full potential. Photography and video are the most powerful tools at your disposal — here are our tips for improving your content and making the most of every post.
Stay active on social media
Showing up consistently in your audience's social media feeds keeps your business front of mind. Facebook and Instagram are the natural home for visual content, and both reward regular, high-quality posting with greater organic reach.
Keep your audience engaged with appropriate hashtags, giveaways, and interactive competitions. These tactics not only maintain visibility but give your customers a reason to actively engage with your brand. For example, share a branded hashtag and invite customers to post photos of themselves using your product — reward the most creative entry with a gift or store credit.
Work on your website and portfolio
Your website is your most important digital asset, and it requires ongoing attention to stay healthy and effective. From a photography standpoint, people buy with their eyes — if you don't have professionally shot product images, it's worth investing time in capturing your own.
For great product photography, lighting and background choice are just as important as your camera and lens. A portable lighting studio is an affordable and easy way to immediately improve image quality. For larger products or more polished results, a full studio lighting setup with a backdrop will give you the most professional finish.
Post video reviews of your products
A well-planned video review posted to your YouTube channel is the online equivalent of a knowledgeable salesperson walking a customer through a product in-store. You can focus on individual products, do category round-ups, or share tips and how-to content that your customers will find genuinely useful — it doesn't have to be all technical jargon.
If you're new to video, check out our top 5 vlogging tips for beginners — it covers everything from gear advice to planning and scripting a successful video.
Post candid photos and videos
Fill the gaps between your more polished posts with behind-the-scenes content — photos or short videos of you and your team at work, using your products, or giving a glimpse into your day-to-day. These don't need to be scripted or heavily produced; their value lies in authenticity and consistency.
That said, even casual content should look reasonably sharp and well-framed. A phone mount, tripod, or gimbal is a simple and affordable way to lift the production quality of even the most off-the-cuff moment.
Tips for better mobile photos and videos
You don't need a professional camera to create compelling content. Modern smartphones are capable of producing excellent photos and video — but a few simple habits make a big difference:
- Always shoot in the best available light, ideally near a window or outdoors
- Use a phone mount or tripod to eliminate camera shake
- Clean your lens before shooting — it makes a surprising difference
- Shoot video horizontally for YouTube and vertically for Instagram Reels and TikTok
- Use your phone's portrait mode for product close-ups to create a professional depth-of-field effect
Grow your business online today
Whether you're shooting product photography, creating video content, or building your social media presence, Ted's has the gear to help. Browse our range of cameras, lighting, tripods, and phone accessories, or visit a Ted's store for personalised advice. And keep an eye on the Ted's photography blog for regular tips on getting the most from your gear.
Frequently Asked Questions
What camera should I use for product photography?
A mirrorless or DSLR camera with a macro or standard prime lens will give you the best results for product photography. That said, a modern smartphone with a good camera can produce excellent product images with the right lighting and setup. The most important investment for product photography is usually lighting — a portable LED studio kit makes a significant difference regardless of what camera you're using.
What lighting do I need for product photography at home?
A portable LED lighting kit with a softbox or diffuser is the most practical solution for home product photography. Position your main light at a 45-degree angle to your product and use a reflector or second light on the opposite side to fill shadows. A plain white or neutral backdrop completes the setup. Natural window light can also work well — position your product close to a large window on an overcast day for soft, even illumination.
How do I make my social media photos look more professional?
Consistency is key — use a consistent colour palette, background, and editing style across your posts to create a cohesive feed. Shoot in good light, keep backgrounds clean and uncluttered, and take multiple shots of each subject to give yourself options. A basic photo editing app like Lightroom Mobile lets you apply consistent adjustments across your images quickly and easily.
Do I need professional video equipment to create good business content?
Not necessarily. A modern smartphone on a tripod, with good lighting and clear audio, is enough to create effective business video content. Audio quality is often more important than video quality — a simple clip-on lapel microphone makes a noticeable difference to the professionalism of your videos. As your content grows, investing in a dedicated camera, lens, and lighting setup will give you more creative control.
What type of content performs best on social media for businesses?
Short-form video (Reels, TikTok, YouTube Shorts) consistently delivers the highest organic reach across most platforms. Behind-the-scenes content, product demonstrations, customer testimonials, and educational tips tend to perform well for product-based businesses. Consistency matters more than perfection — a regular posting schedule with good-quality content will outperform sporadic high-production posts over time.