Photographing Your Artwork 101: The Essential Guide for Artists and Makers
Capturing your artwork on camera is one of the most powerful ways to elevate your creative business. As both an artist and a professional photographer with nearly 15 years of experience, I know firsthand how important it is to represent your work with clarity, accuracy, and style.
Whether you’re showcasing your paintings online, preparing files for prints, or submitting pieces for licensing or gallery review, the way you photograph your art can make a lasting impression and open real doors.
This post introduces core concepts from my free class, Photography for Artists: Basics That Build Confidence, and you can sign up for it at the end of this guide. If you’re not sure where to start or how to level up your photography, you’re in the right place.
Why Good Photography Matters
Your photos are often the first (and sometimes only) chance a potential buyer or curator has to connect with your work. Great images showcase your technique and style and they also build trust in your brand and professionalism.
Strong artwork photography can:
- Attract buyers, collectors, and licensing opportunities
- Set your shop or portfolio apart in a saturated digital space
- Give you confidence in how you present and promote your creations
How to Photograph Artwork, Step by Step
To photograph artwork well, hang or lay the piece perfectly flat, light it evenly from both sides or in open shade, put your camera or phone directly in front of the center so the lens is parallel to the surface, fill the frame, then correct the color against the original before you export. Here is the sequence I use:
- Hang the piece on a neutral wall or lay it flat, with no frame or glass if you can remove them.
- Light it evenly, in open shade near a window or with 2 matching lights, so no corner is brighter than another.
- Center your camera on the middle of the artwork, at the same height, with the lens parallel to the surface so the edges stay square.
- Fill most of the frame and leave a little margin you can crop later.
- Focus on the surface texture and lock your exposure so the whites stay white.
- Edit for straight edges and true color, comparing the screen to the piece in the same light.
- Export a full-resolution master file, then make smaller copies for your website and social media.
The Power of Natural Light
Lighting can make or break your photos. For most artists, natural light is the best place to start. It’s accessible, flattering, and doesn’t require complicated gear.
Here are three key types of natural light to understand:
Full Sunlight
Bright and vibrant, but can create harsh shadows. Ideal during golden hour or when diffused by sheer curtains.
Open Shade
Even, soft, and consistent. Excellent for true-to-life color and minimizing distractions from shadows or glare.
Dappled Light
Filtered through trees or objects, dappled light can feel magical but is harder to control. Best used for lifestyle or behind-the-scenes shots.
In the masterclass, I guide you through how to work with these lighting types in real-time, using simple adjustments that make a big impact.
Lighting for Photographing Artwork
When natural light is not available or not consistent, 2 matching lights do the job. Place one on each side of the artwork at roughly a 45 degree angle, at the same distance and height, so the light crosses the surface evenly and neither side looks brighter. Daylight-balanced bulbs, around 5000 to 5600K, keep your colors closest to what you see in the studio.
Glare is the most common problem with varnished paintings, glossy paper and anything behind glass. Moving the lights further to the sides usually helps, and for serious reproduction work a polarizing filter on the lens with polarizing film over the lights removes reflections almost completely.
Smartphone Photography: Yes, You Can Start Here
You don’t *need* a fancy DSLR to take beautiful photos. Today’s smartphones are powerful tools when you know how to use them intentionally.
Inside the class, we cover:
- Camera settings for exposure, focus, and resolution
- Framing and angles to showcase your work at its best
- Mobile editing apps like Lightroom Mobile, Snapseed, or VSCO to adjust brightness, contrast, and color accuracy
You can start documenting your work right now with the tools you already have.
How to Photograph Artwork With an iPhone or Phone
A phone can make excellent images of artwork with a few adjustments. Use the 2x lens if your phone has one, since the wide default lens bends straight edges near the corners. Turn on the grid so you can line the edges up, press and hold on the artwork to lock focus and exposure, and skip portrait mode and flash entirely. If your phone offers a RAW or ProRAW setting, use it for pieces you plan to print, because it keeps far more color information for editing.
Resolution Basics for Print and Licensing
If you plan to create high-quality prints or license your work, resolution is key. Two concepts every artist should understand:
Megapixels
This refers to how much detail your camera captures. Higher megapixels allow for clearer, larger reproductions.
DPI (Dots Per Inch)
For crisp, professional prints, 300 DPI is the industry standard. If you’re preparing images for printers or galleries, this detail matters.
In the masterclass, we walk through exactly how to check and prep your image files… no confusing tech speak required.
How to Photograph Paintings for Prints
For prints, work backward from the largest size you plan to sell. Multiply each side in inches by 300 to get the pixels you need: an 8 by 10 inch print needs about 2400 by 3000 pixels, roughly 7 megapixels, and a 16 by 20 inch print needs about 4800 by 6000 pixels, close to 29 megapixels. Most current phones and cameras cover the smaller sizes comfortably.
For large prints, you have 3 options: a camera with a high-megapixel sensor, several overlapping shots stitched together in editing software, or a professional fine art scan. Whichever you choose, photograph a small color reference card next to the piece in one frame, so you or your printer can match the color exactly.
How to Photograph Art Behind Glass
Take the piece out of the frame whenever you can. When you can’t, turn off the room lights, light the artwork from both sides at a steep angle, wear dark clothing, and shoot through a hole in a piece of black card held in front of your lens, which keeps your own reflection out of the glass.
Editing Your Images for a Polished Look
Editing is where your photo goes from “okay” to exceptional. Good editing makes sure your photo reflects the true essence of your artwork.
Key tips:
- Adjust brightness and contrast to reflect your art’s vibrancy without losing subtlety
- Crop intentionally to remove background clutter while maintaining strong composition
- Color correct so that the photo mirrors your actual piece as closely as possible
Simple, intuitive editing tools like Snapseed or Lightroom Mobile can give you powerful results with minimal effort.
Avoiding Common Photography Mistakes
Even talented artists sometimes struggle with the photography side of their business. A few common pitfalls to watch for:
- Shooting in poor light, which creates grainy or dull images
- Relying entirely on automatic camera settings
- Over-editing photos, which makes the artwork feel artificial or misrepresented
The good news? These are easy to fix once you know what to look for.
Ready to Build Your Photography Confidence?
This blog post is just the beginning. Photographing Your Artwork 101: The Essential Guide for Artists and Makers is my free workshop designed to help artists like you take better photos, share your work proudly, and feel confident in every visual touchpoint of your business.
In the class, you’ll learn how to:
- Use natural light to highlight your art beautifully
- Make the most of your smartphone for clean, professional shots
- Prepare your photos for print, licensing, or promotional use
- Edit with confidence and intention
Whether you’re just starting out or looking to refine your image quality for a polished portfolio or online shop, this class gives you a strong foundation to grow from.
Your art deserves to be seen in its best light, literally.
[→ Sign up for the free workshop below]
Free Workshop: Photographing Your Art & Preparing for Prints
What You’ll Learn in This Introductory Class:
- The Importance of Quality Photographs: Why they matter for showcasing, prints, and licensing
- Understanding Natural Lighting: Full sun, open shade, and dappled light explained
- Focus & Exposure: Ensure every detail of your work shines
- Composition & Framing: Present your artwork in its best light
- Studio Lighting Basics: When natural light isn’t enough
- Photo Editing Apps: Recommended tools to perfect your shots
- High Resolution & Megapixels Explained: What matters for prints and enlargements
- Print Size Capability: How to prepare for scaling your work
- What to Look for in a Camera: For those ready to go beyond their phone
You’ll learn simple, actionable tips so you can photograph your artwork beautifully, even with your phone!
Who This Photography Workshop is For:
- Artists and makers looking to improve their online presence
- Beginners ready to take the first step in artwork photography
- Creators considering prints or licensing
This is an introductory recording of a previous live workshop. While it’s not an in-depth course, it will guide you through the basics, provide many actionable tips and tricks, and help you identify where you need the most help, laying a solid foundation for your photography journey.
Skip the trial and error. Learn what works.
Access the Photographing Your Art & Preparing for Prints Workshop Recording
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