DIY Cannabis Photography: Try These Tips & Tricks

When you first began to dream up your cannabusiness concept, you probably didn’t envision yourself adding “weed photography” to your professional skill set. But with high-quality images serving such a vital role in cannabis marketing and branding, learning how to photograph marijuana should be at the top of your to-do list.

Luckily, you don’t have to be a professional photographer to take interesting, appealing photos of your cannabis products. In fact, it’s entirely possible to take a DIY approach to cannabis photography and produce great images to support your marketing goals. 

Consumers want to be able to see exactly what your business has to offer, and we’re setting you up with the tips and tricks you need to become a savvy shutterbug – or at the very least, snap some quality photos to use for your marijuana marketing plan.

Tips and Tricks for Marijuana Photography

Whether you’re a small business owner that’s just planted the seeds for a new cannabis brand or a seasoned dispensary owner ready to expand your online presence, learning how to take better photos is always a good idea. You already know that you have a high-quality product that consumers will love, but now, you just need to capture it and all its green glory in an attractive photograph.

Even though setting up a cannabis-centric photoshoot might seem pretty straightforward, photographing marijuana plants and products can be trickier than you’d think. So, we’re sharing some of our best tips for cannabis photography to help you get a few steps (or snaps) ahead of the competition.

1. When it comes to cannabis, flash photography is not your friend.

You might remember the mirror-selfie era of the early social media pics when so many of us relied on a digital camera and a mirror to capture our newest social media profile pics. So many of those mirror photos are dominated by the bright, blinding glare of the camera’s flash reflecting off of the mirror, whiting out most of the image’s details. Needless to say, selfies have come a long way since then.

That same concept applies to flash photography and cannabis: the two simply don’t mix well. Much like a mirror, the trichomes covering cannabis buds are highly reflective, as are the majority of oil-based cannabis concentrates. Once the camera flash goes off, a washed-out photo is inevitable.

Instead, turn off the flash and try increasing the surrounding light in another way. Natural light sources are a great option, but a couple of lamps can work just as well. 

2. Learn your way around a lighting setup.

While we’re on the topic of lighting, let’s talk about how to use professional lighting for photographing your cannabis products. Some brands might be able to rent out a professional studio – and all the equipment that comes with it – for a full-fledged photo shoot. But for most small cannabusinesses, coming up with a DIY lighting set-up is a must.

Desk lamps can be a great alternative to fancy studio lighting, giving you a good amount of flexibility to make adjustments until you get a result you’re happy with. In many cases, a three-point lighting set-up will be your best bet:

• The key light is the main light, usually situated in an overhead position
• The fill light is typically placed on the side or in the front, filling in any shadows created by the key light
• The backlight is located on the side of or behind the subject, providing light to separate it from the background

If the lighting seems too harsh, try taping a thin piece of white cloth or paper over the end of the shade. This is an easy and effective trick for diffusing the light while also cutting down any glare.

3. Use stable support to eliminate any blur.

No matter how steady your hands may be, capturing a flawlessly clear photograph can be a challenge. If your photos tend to come out slightly blurry, it’s time to assess your set-up and find ways to stabilize the subject and the camera.

For example, instead of holding the subject (like a new vape cartridge), set it down on a solid surface like a table. Rather than using your hands to hold the camera, invest in an inexpensive tripod and remote – you can even find tripods for your smartphone! If you absolutely have to go freehand to get that perfect angle, use a stool or something similarly stable to lean your elbows on to stabilize the camera.

4. Make use of editing software.

There’s no need to become a Photoshop pro, but some simple editing can make a world of difference for your photo quality. There are so many free editing apps you can download to your smartphone or tablet, so you can easily make tweaks to the color, lighting, and other details. In fact, most of these apps have an auto-correct feature that will make all of the adjustments for you, taking a photo from okay to amazing in seconds.

Some user-friendly photo editing apps to try are:

• VSCO Cam (iPhone, Android)
• Snapseed (iPhone, iPad, Android)
• Adobe Lightroom (iPhone, iPad, Android)
• Pixlr Express (iOS, Android)
• Flickr (iPhone, Android,)
• Photo Editor by Aviary (iOS, Android) 

6. Don’t be afraid to get creative and enjoy the process.

The more you play around with cannabis photography, the better you’ll get – but if you aren’t having fun, you probably aren’t going to want to keep going. Try not to get overwhelmed by the pressure to take perfect pictures right away; instead, look at it as a learning experience.

Switch up your angles, experiment with unique styling, and find fun ways to make the photos your own. Mastering marijuana photography involves a lot of trial and error. After all, the worst that can happen is that you take a photo that really doesn’t work out… and in that case, all you have to do is hit “delete.”

How to Use Images for Marketing Cannabis

You’ve taken a ton of photos of your products, and you’re finally pleased with how they’ve turned out. The photos have been carefully cropped, edited, and organized – now what?

There are many different ways you can put your marijuana photographs to excellent use, making this a time and effort investment that will definitely pay off. Here are some ideas for using photos for marketing your cannabis business:

• Incorporate product photos into your online dispensary menu
• Use photos to add a visual element to blog posts and informational resources
• Share photos on your cannabis social media platforms (with the site’s policies in mind)
• Create print materials, like brochures, business cards, and signage using the photos
• Enhance your website’s various pages with relevant photos to show off your products, brick-and-mortar-location, cultivation or production process, and other vital details

Elevate Your Cannabis Marketing with Great Images, Content, and More

Whether you want to try DIY cannabis photography or figure out how to partner with a professional, Marijuana Marketing Xperts is the full-service cannabis advertising agency that can provide the help and support you need. We specialize in marketing for cannabis businesses, including dispensaries, brands, and cultivators, and we can empower you to achieve your business goals.

Let’s work together and see your cannabusiness grow: contact Marijuana Marketing Xperts to get started today!

Image Source: beton studio , Tsareva.pro , Zern Liew , MWesselPhoto ,  Sonia Dhankhar , Yarygin , Canna Obscura / Shutterstock

Marijuana Marketing Xperts

Marijuana Marketing Xperts (MMX) is a team of cannabis marketing experts that leads cannabis businesses and local dispensaries through the world of marijuana-focused digital marketing to increase online traffic, foot traffic, and sales. MMX specializes in search engine optimization, web design, social media, programmatic advertising and device ID targetting, and more.