How to Build a $200 Product Photo Studio at Home
These 6 essentials will get you 80% of the way to pro-level shots—clean, sharp, and built to convert.
1. Two LED Panel Lights — ~$100
If you only buy one thing, buy this. Lighting is everything. Your phone’s flash is too harsh. Overhead lights are unpredictable.
You want two adjustable LED panels at 5600K (daylight temp). Use one as your main light, one as a fill to kill shadows.
Search: LED panel photography light kit
Why it matters: Even, clean lighting makes your product look expensive and lets Pixii do its job.
2. White Foam Board (x2) — ~$10
This is your backdrop and bounce card. Tape one flat on the table, the other upright against the wall.
Do not curve it—Pixii needs a visible ground plane and shadow to understand orientation.
Search: white foam board 30x40
Why it matters: Clean separation helps AI generate realistic context (kitchens, gyms, beaches).
3. Tripod with Phone Clamp — ~$20
Blur ruins product edges, text, and detail. A tripod makes every photo sharper.
Search: tripod phone mount
Pro tip: Use a 3-second timer so you’re not tapping the screen while it shoots.
4. Reflector (or another Foam Board) — ~$5
Place this opposite your main light to reflect soft light back onto your product.
A second foam board works great. Want to upgrade? Get a silver/white pop-up reflector.
Why it matters: Reduces harsh shadows and gives your product shape without noise.
5. Lazy Susan Turntable — ~$15
Not mandatory, but helpful. Lets you rotate your product cleanly between shots without handling it.
Search: product photo turntable
Why it matters: Great for multi-angle shots or consistency across SKUs.
6. Clean, Flat Surface — Free
Use your kitchen table, desk, or floor. Just make sure it’s clean, uncluttered, and near a window.
Why it matters: Junk in the background kills trust. AI won’t save you from a dirty setup.
Total: ~$150–200
For the cost of a single studio shoot, you now have a setup that can power your brand for months.
You’ll get clean shadows, sharp edges, consistent light—and your content will finally look like it belongs on Nike or Apple’s website.
Optional Upgrades
Backdrop stand kit (~$40) – faster setup, pro look
Third light (~$50) – useful for backlighting or rim lighting
Diffusion sheet or mini softbox (~$20) – softer shadows for glossy packaging
Color card (gray card) (~$12) – fixes white balance in post
Remote shutter (~$10) – no hand shake, no timer delay
Light tent / cube (~$50–75) – great for supplements, cosmetics, or jewelry
Real camera (~$600+) – not worth it unless you’ve nailed lighting and setup
Next Steps
These 6 essentials will get you 80% of the way to pro-level shots—clean, sharp, and built to convert.
1. Two LED Panel Lights — ~$100
If you only buy one thing, buy this. Lighting is everything. Your phone’s flash is too harsh. Overhead lights are unpredictable.
You want two adjustable LED panels at 5600K (daylight temp). Use one as your main light, one as a fill to kill shadows.
Search: LED panel photography light kit
Why it matters: Even, clean lighting makes your product look expensive and lets Pixii do its job.
2. White Foam Board (x2) — ~$10
This is your backdrop and bounce card. Tape one flat on the table, the other upright against the wall.
Do not curve it—Pixii needs a visible ground plane and shadow to understand orientation.
Search: white foam board 30x40
Why it matters: Clean separation helps AI generate realistic context (kitchens, gyms, beaches).
3. Tripod with Phone Clamp — ~$20
Blur ruins product edges, text, and detail. A tripod makes every photo sharper.
Search: tripod phone mount
Pro tip: Use a 3-second timer so you’re not tapping the screen while it shoots.
4. Reflector (or another Foam Board) — ~$5
Place this opposite your main light to reflect soft light back onto your product.
A second foam board works great. Want to upgrade? Get a silver/white pop-up reflector.
Why it matters: Reduces harsh shadows and gives your product shape without noise.
5. Lazy Susan Turntable — ~$15
Not mandatory, but helpful. Lets you rotate your product cleanly between shots without handling it.
Search: product photo turntable
Why it matters: Great for multi-angle shots or consistency across SKUs.
6. Clean, Flat Surface — Free
Use your kitchen table, desk, or floor. Just make sure it’s clean, uncluttered, and near a window.
Why it matters: Junk in the background kills trust. AI won’t save you from a dirty setup.
Total: ~$150–200
For the cost of a single studio shoot, you now have a setup that can power your brand for months.
You’ll get clean shadows, sharp edges, consistent light—and your content will finally look like it belongs on Nike or Apple’s website.
Optional Upgrades
Backdrop stand kit (~$40) – faster setup, pro look
Third light (~$50) – useful for backlighting or rim lighting
Diffusion sheet or mini softbox (~$20) – softer shadows for glossy packaging
Color card (gray card) (~$12) – fixes white balance in post
Remote shutter (~$10) – no hand shake, no timer delay
Light tent / cube (~$50–75) – great for supplements, cosmetics, or jewelry
Real camera (~$600+) – not worth it unless you’ve nailed lighting and setup