This 3-hour session offers a hands-on approach, demonstrating key techniques with three distinct product examples. It starts with how photography impacts brand identity and essential camera settings. Participants will learn to control reflections with a reflective item, create appetising food photos using natural light, and highlight textures with an organic product. The course emphasises playing with light & props to tell compelling stories. A quick overview of post-production and social media optimisation concludes the session, equipping attendees with practical skills for impactful product photography.

Available Session Times - select from the following sessions:

67506 - Sat 9.30am 10 Oct. 1 sess x 3 hrs (Wea Centre) Fees available for this course:(Which Fee?) Standard: A$74.00

Select the number of places and click 'Enrol': 1 2 3 4 ENROL

Your Tutor is Valeria Reategui

Valeria Reategui has been teaching at WEA since July 2024.

Valeria is a food photographer and blogger who enjoys sharing her Peruvian roots through recipes and images. Her kitchen is her laboratory where she tries different flavours, and her studio is her canvas where she adds colour and texture, to create mouthwatering images that make people want to recreate the recipe.

She created her food blog in 2018 and taught baking classes in Peru for almost a year before moving to Australia.

Hands-On Product Photography

Course Description

Learn how to transform everyday products into beautiful, professional-looking images using the power of natural light. 

This practical, hands-on workshop is ideal for small business owners, content creators, bloggers and aspiring photographers who want to strengthen their visual storytelling skills and create more engaging content for websites, online stores and social media.

Working with a range of carefully styled subjects including cupcakes, flowers and stationery, you'll discover how photographers create eye-catching product images that feel polished and professional. 

Through guided demonstrations and practical exercises, you'll learn how to use natural light effectively, select backgrounds and props, apply colour theory, and compose images that highlight your products while communicating your brand personality. 

No prior photography experience is required, making this course suitable for beginners as well as hobbyists looking to refine their styling and photography skills.

Course Structure

This workshop is highly practical and interactive, with students spending most of the session photographing and styling products under guided instruction. 

The course begins with an introduction to natural light photography, exploring how to position subjects in relation to windows, soften harsh shadows, and use simple techniques to control light and create professional results.

Students will then learn how to select backgrounds, props and textures that enhance rather than distract from the subject, while exploring the principles of colour theory, visual hierarchy and composition. 

Through a series of hands-on styling stations, participants will photograph three different product categories: food styling with cupcakes, floral arrangements, and stationery flat lays. 

The workshop concludes with a collaborative image review, providing practical feedback and tips for further improvement. 

Participants will also receive comprehensive notes covering lighting, composition and styling techniques to support their ongoing photography journey.

Course Learning Outcomes

By the end of this course, students will be able to:

• Understand how to use natural light to create professional-looking product photographs 
• Control and modify light using simple techniques to reduce harsh shadows 
• Apply colour theory to create visually appealing product images 
• Select backgrounds, props and textures that enhance a product's presentation 
• Use composition techniques such as the Rule of Thirds, leading lines and negative space 
• Style and photograph food, floral and stationery subjects 
• Create balanced, engaging product images suitable for websites and social media 
• Critically evaluate and improve their own product photography.

Course Requirements

Students are required to bring:

• A smartphone, tablet, DSLR or mirrorless camera (please ensure batteries are fully charged and you have sufficient storage space available) 
• A notebook and pen for taking notes during demonstrations and discussions 

Optional: You are welcome to bring one or two small products of your own if you would like personalised advice on styling and photographing them. 

All primary practice subjects, including cupcakes, flowers and stationery, along with a range of props and backgrounds, will be provided by the tutor.