Photographing a Bottle: Simple Product Photography with One Light and a Smartphone

Who says you need expensive cameras and a studio full of gear to take professional product shots? Photographer Brandon Figueroa of figandlight.com proves that with the right lighting, smart setup choices, and just a smartphone, you can capture commercial-quality product photos that look like they belong in a high-end catalog. 

For this shoot, Brandon's focusing on bottle product photography, specifically. Here’s how he pulled it off.

The Setup: A No-Fuss Approach

For the surface, Brandon uses a small piece of white plexiglass to provide a clean look and a natural reflection under the bottle. 

The background is equally straightforward. He places a white trifold fill card at an angle behind the subject. The slight tilt allows the background to catch light in a way that creates a subtle gradient, adding depth to the shot instead of leaving it looking flat and lifeless.

The Light: One Source, Big Results

To create the perfect lighting with just one source, Brandon first sets up a c-stand with a sheet of diffusion paper rolled down and placed flush up against the side of the surface table. He then sets a single Godox SL60W continuous light with a stripbox about six to eight inches behind the diffusion roll, angled slightly toward the camera. The diffusion softens the light, while the stripbox controls its shape, making sure the bottle’s reflections are clean and intentional rather than harsh and distracting.

Since the bottle is highly reflective, careful placement of the light is crucial. Too far forward, and the reflection competes with the label. Too far back, and the overall contrast and depth suffer. By fine-tuning the angle, Brandon finds the perfect balance, making sure the label remains the star of the show.

One of the biggest challenges in product photography is managing shadows. Without proper fill, shadows can be too harsh, creating an unbalanced look. To fix this, Brandon positions a V-Flat opposite the key light. This acts as a large bounce source, reflecting light back onto the bottle and softening the shadows. The result is a well-lit subject with depth, rather than a flat, overly contrasty image.

Camera Placement: Using What You Have

Instead of reaching for an expensive camera, Brandon simply attaches his iPhone to a clamp on a tripod. Positioning it slightly lower than the product ensures a flattering perspective while also capturing that sleek reflection on the plexiglass. A small tweak with a big impact.

Check out the final image (after a little exposure balancing in post):