Photograph a candle unlit first so its label, wax surface and vessel are clear; add a separate lit image to show the flame and atmosphere. For reed diffusers and room sprays, prioritize bottle shape, fill appearance, closures and the supplied accessories. A photograph can show presentation, but cannot communicate scent strength or substantiate burn-time claims.
Capture the sale condition before lighting the wick
Make an unlit front view, a top view and a contents view before the first burn changes the wax. Record the lid, box and any accessories actually included. A top view should show the number and position of wicks without making an uneven wax surface look artificially smooth.
For a used or already-burned item, photograph that condition. Do not use a pristine product shot to conceal soot, tunneling or a shortened wick.
Separate vessel dimensions from the stated wax weight. A large glass jar can contain a smaller amount of wax; a size photograph does not verify net contents. Keep the printed quantity and the listing consistent.
Move reflections off the label
Place a diffused light beside and slightly in front of a glass jar. Rotate the jar and move the light until its reflection sits beside the label rather than through the text. A white card opposite the light can open the shadow side; a narrow black card can help define the outline of clear glass.
Do not flood the entire jar with front light. A broad white reflection across every surface can hide the rim and make the vessel appear opaque. For amber glass, include a neutral-background frame so warm styling does not change the apparent glass or wax color. Establish white balance from a neutral reference, not from cream wax that is intentionally warm in color.
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Expose the flame as its own lighting problem
A flame is much brighter than the jar in a dim room. Secure the camera, lower the exposure until the flame's outline is visible, and add enough soft light for the label. If the flame becomes a featureless white blob, reduce exposure rather than darkening the entire jar in editing afterward.
A longer shutter time can record flicker as a smear. A shorter exposure freezes more of the flame's shape but may require more light on the vessel. There is no universal shutter speed for every wick, flame and room.
Keep combustible props away from a burning candle. The National Candle Association advises at least 12 inches from flammable objects and says never to leave a burning candle unattended. Use an unlit candle for close arrangements with dried botanicals, fabric or books; set up a separate clear space for the lit photograph.
Adapt the shot to the fragrance format
| Product | Detail image | Common mistake |
|---|---|---|
| Reed diffuser | Neck, stopper, reeds and fill appearance | Showing extra reeds or decorative stems as if included |
| Room spray | Cap removed beside the bottle, nozzle visible | Hiding the dispenser beneath styling |
| Wax melts | Individual shapes and the actual pack | Filling a bowl with more melts than the buyer receives |
| Taper or pillar | Full height, base and surface texture | Cropping the base so holder requirements are unclear |
For scent styling, describe props as mood cues rather than ingredients unless the formulation supports that implication. A vanilla pod next to a fragrance product does not establish that it contains vanilla extract.
Finish glass edges and prepare the listing
For an unlit catalog photo, ShotBG's background remover can isolate the vessel. Check the rim, lid edge and spaces between reeds. Clear glass can retain colors from the original background; removing the exterior does not necessarily reconstruct what should be visible through it. Keep the flame photo separate if masking loses its glow.
Etsy's image guidance recommends at least 2000 pixels in both dimensions and does not support transparent listing images. Use the white background generator or another solid backdrop for that final file. The Etsy product-photo page provides a relevant editing entry point; review the uploaded thumbnail to ensure the lid, reeds and flame are not cropped off.
