Jewellery photography is a unique blend of art and technical precision. Unlike other types of product photography, it requires an eye for intricate details, expert lighting techniques, and advanced editing skills to bring out the true beauty of each piece. As a specialist jewellery photographer, my days are filled with capturing the brilliance of diamonds, the shimmer of gold, and the vibrant hues of precious gemstones.
If you’ve ever wondered what goes into creating high-end jewellery images, this behind-the-scenes look at my daily process will give you insight into the level of detail and expertise required. Whether you’re a jeweller, an ecommerce store owner, or just a photography enthusiast, this post will show you why professional jewellery photography is an investment that pays off in the long run.
The Start of the Day: Preparing for the Shoot
My day begins at Sunshine House Creative Studio on the beautiful Sunshine Coast, where I work with brands across Brisbane, the Gold Coast, Sydney, Melbourne, and beyond. Before I even touch the camera, careful preparation is key to ensuring a smooth photoshoot.
Client Consultation & Shot List Planning
Before a shoot, I discuss with the client their specific needs, brand aesthetics, and target audience. Whether it’s a luxury diamond jewellery brand, an emerging ecommerce jewellery store, or an established retailer, every business has a unique vision.
Some key questions I ask:
✅ What style suits your brand? Minimalist, lifestyle, or dramatic high-contrast?
✅ Do you need white background ecommerce photography, creative advertising photography, or model shots?
✅ How will the images be used? Website, social media, print ads, or billboards?
After gathering this information, I create a shot list to ensure we capture every angle and detail necessary.
Setting Up the Studio
Lighting is everything in jewellery photography. Unlike larger products, small reflective surfaces like diamonds and gold require controlled lighting to avoid harsh reflections and unwanted glare.
In my studio, I set up:
Specialized lighting equipment (diffusers, softboxes, and reflectors) to balance brightness and eliminate harsh shadows.
Macro lenses that capture the intricate craftsmanship of each piece.
Turntables and props to create eye-catching compositions for lifestyle shots.
If the shoot involves loose stones photography, I take extra care to ensure clarity, focus, and color accuracy to highlight each gem’s cut and brilliance.
The Photoshoot: Capturing Perfection
Once the studio is set up, it’s time to start shooting. Each piece of jewellery requires extreme precision, and every detail matters.
Lighting & Camera Adjustments
Different metals and gemstones react to light in various ways, so I constantly adjust:
📷 Light intensity & direction to avoid reflections.
📷 Camera settings like ISO, aperture, and shutter speed to capture sharp, crisp details.
📷 Focus stacking techniques to ensure the entire piece is in sharp focus, from prongs to gemstones.
For ecommerce jewellery photography, I shoot on a pure white background for a clean, professional look that enhances online sales.
For advertising and commercial jewellery photography, I experiment with creative compositions—perhaps placing a diamond ring on a textured black surface for dramatic contrast or photographing gold earrings against a soft pastel backdrop to create a luxurious feel.
Managing Challenges in Jewellery Photography
Jewellery photography isn’t as simple as snapping a picture. Here are some common challenges I tackle:
🔹 Reflections – Rings, necklaces, and gemstones are highly reflective. I use controlled lighting and specific angles to eliminate unwanted reflections.
🔹 Color Accuracy – Every gemstone and metal has its unique color tone. Using custom white balance settings ensures that gold appears gold (not orange or brown), and diamonds look bright and crisp.
🔹 Dust & Fingerprints – Even the tiniest speck of dust is visible in macro jewellery photography. I use high-quality cleaning tools and gloves to handle jewellery carefully.
Post-Production: Perfecting the Final Image
Photography is only half the job—post-production editing is where the magic happens. After the shoot, I import images into Adobe Photoshop and Lightroom for meticulous retouching.
Editing Process for High-End Jewellery Photography
1️⃣ Removing imperfections – Even freshly cleaned jewellery may have microscopic dust or minor surface scratches. I use advanced retouching techniques to remove any flaws while keeping the natural texture intact.
2️⃣ Enhancing gemstone brilliance – Diamonds, sapphires, emeralds, and rubies all have unique light reflections. I fine-tune brightness, contrast, and sharpness to bring out their natural beauty.
3️⃣ Background adjustments – Whether a crisp white background for ecommerce or a stylized editorial backdrop, I ensure that the jewellery remains the focal point.
4️⃣ Color correction & consistency – I make sure that each image maintains the exact color and tone, ensuring uniformity across a jewellery collection.
Professional jewellery photography isn’t just about capturing a great shot—it’s about presenting each piece in a way that increases its perceived value and drives more sales for the brand.
DIY vs. Professional Jewellery Photography: Is It Worth It?
If you’re an ecommerce jewellery business, you might wonder whether it’s better to take your own product photos or hire a professional. Here’s a breakdown of the key differences:
1. Image Quality
📌 DIY: Smartphone or entry-level cameras struggle with focus, reflections, and lighting. This can make jewellery appear dull or blurry.
📌 Professional: High-end macro lenses, controlled lighting, and expert editing create crystal-clear images that highlight the finest details.
2. Time Investment
📌 DIY: Setting up, shooting, and editing jewellery takes hours, if not days for someone without experience.
📌 Professional: With the right equipment and expertise, I can efficiently deliver high-quality images ready for ecommerce, print, or social media marketing.
3. Return on Investment
📌 DIY: Poor-quality images can reduce customer trust, leading to lower conversions and higher product returns.
📌 Professional: High-end jewellery photography increases sales, enhances brand reputation, and creates a luxury feel that attracts premium buyers.
Investing in professional jewellery photography is an investment in your brand’s success. Whether you need loose stone photography, high-end ecommerce images, or editorial campaigns, a pro photographer ensures your products look as stunning as they do in real life.
Final Thoughts: Why Professional Jewellery Photography Matters
Every piece of jewellery has a story, and as a commercial jewellery photographer, my goal is to tell that story through stunning imagery. From the precise setup in my Sunshine Coast photography studio to the meticulous retouching process, every step is designed to create visuals that drive engagement and sales.
If you’re a jewellery brand looking for high-end ecommerce photography, diamond photography, or advertising photography, I’d love to help bring your vision to life.
📍 Available worldwide – Whether you’re in Brisbane, Gold Coast, Sydney, Melbourne, or anywhere beyond, I can work with you to create world-class jewellery images.
📩 Let’s connect! Visit www.dylanpukallphoto.com to view my portfolio and discuss your project.
