Top 8 Compact Studio Essentials to learn for Pro-Level Product Shots for Instagram in a Small Apartment
So, you scroll through Instagram and see them: those jaw-droppingly beautiful product photos. The lighting is perfect, the background is clean, and the product looks so good you can almost feel it in your hands. You think to yourself, "I could never do that. I live in a tiny apartment, not a sprawling photo studio!"
I'm here to tell you that this thinking is a myth. You don't need a warehouse-sized space to create professional, scroll-stopping product shots. In fact, some of the best work is created in the coziest of corners. The secret isn't about having more square footage; it's about having the right gear and, more importantly, knowing how to use it. Your small apartment is not a limitation—it's a creative constraint that can force you to be more innovative.
This guide is your roadmap to transforming a corner of your living room, bedroom, or even a walk-in closet into a powerful micro-studio. We're going to break down the eight most essential, compact pieces of gear that will elevate your product photography from simple snaps to stunning, professional-level images perfect for your brand's Instagram feed.
1. A Single, Powerful LED Light with a Softbox
If you learn only one thing about photography, let it be this: light is everything. Before you even think about a new camera or lens, your first and most important investment should be in a quality light source. Natural light from a window is fantastic, but it's inconsistent, changes throughout the day, and disappears at night. To get pro-level consistency, you need to control your light.
Forget those clunky, hot, and heavy studio strobes of the past. Modern COB (Chip on Board) LED lights are compact, powerful, run cool, and offer incredible flexibility. A single light, like a Godox SL60W or an Aputure Amaran 100d, paired with a softbox, is the cornerstone of a compact studio. The softbox is non-negotiable; it takes the harsh, direct light from the LED and diffuses it into a soft, flattering wrap-around light that minimizes harsh shadows and makes products look incredible.
Pro Tip: You can mimic a two-light setup with just one light! Place your main light (the key light) at a 45-degree angle to your product. Then, on the opposite side, place a simple white foam board or a reflector (which we'll cover next) to bounce some of that light back, filling in the shadows. It’s a simple, space-saving hack that I, Goh Ling Yong, have used countless times to create dynamic and professional-looking lighting.
2. A 5-in-1 Collapsible Reflector
If a single LED light is your studio's king, the 5-in-1 reflector is its queen, prime minister, and entire royal court rolled into one. This is arguably the most versatile, budget-friendly, and compact piece of lighting equipment you will ever own. It's a foldable disc that usually packs down to a third of its size and offers five different surfaces to manipulate light.
Let's break it down. The white side provides a soft, neutral fill light, perfect for gently lifting shadows without adding too much punch. The silver side is more aggressive, bouncing a hard, specular light that adds contrast and a crisp "pop" to your product. The gold side adds a warm, sunny glow, which can be great for beauty products or food. The black side does the opposite of reflecting—it absorbs light, a technique called "negative fill," which is perfect for creating deep, dramatic shadows and defining edges. Finally, the inner translucent panel can be used as a diffuser to soften harsh light, whether it's your LED or the sun coming through a window.
Pro Tip: For small products like jewelry or cosmetics, you don't even need a full-sized reflector. A couple of pieces of white and black foam core from a craft store can serve as mini-reflectors and flags to precisely shape the light on a smaller scale.
3. A Collection of Portable Backdrops
Nothing screams "amateur photo" faster than a cluttered background with a stray lamp or corner of your sofa in the shot. A clean, intentional backdrop is essential for making your product the hero. The good news is you don't need a massive, 12-foot roll of seamless paper to achieve this. In a small apartment, your backdrop collection can be clever and compact.
Vinyl backdrops are a fantastic option. They come in countless colors and textures (like marble, wood, or concrete), are wrinkle-resistant, and can be wiped clean if you're shooting messy products like food or cosmetics. You can also buy large, single tiles from a hardware store to use as surfaces and backgrounds for smaller items. For a softer look, textured fabrics like linen or muslin work wonders.
Pro Tip: You don't need a dedicated, bulky backdrop stand system. For smaller setups, you can simply use painter's tape to affix a vinyl backdrop to a wall, letting it curve down onto your shooting surface. This creates a seamless "infinity" look with no distracting horizon line.
4. A Sturdy, Versatile Shooting Surface
Your product needs a stage to perform on, and that's your shooting surface. This works in tandem with your backdrop to create the overall scene and mood. While you can use the floor, having a dedicated, elevated surface gives you more control and is much easier on your back.
A simple, small folding card table is a perfect, storable solution. It gives you a consistent height and can be easily tucked away when you're done. From there, you can customize the surface itself. Lay a piece of white acrylic on the table for a clean, modern look with a subtle reflection. Use a rustic wooden plank for a warm, organic feel. You can even buy contact paper with various patterns (marble, granite, etc.) and apply it to a sturdy piece of foam core for an endless variety of cheap, lightweight, and storable surfaces.
Pro Tip: Think about how the texture of your surface interacts with your product. A rough, slate-like surface can create a beautiful contrast with a smooth, metallic watch, while a soft, linen surface can complement the cozy feel of a hand-knitted scarf.
5. The Right Lens for the Job
Notice I didn't say "an expensive camera." Today, almost any modern mirrorless or DSLR camera can produce incredible images. Even high-end smartphones can deliver great results with good lighting. The real magic often comes from the glass you put in front of the sensor: the lens. For product photography, a couple of lens types are particularly useful.
A 50mm prime lens (often called a "nifty fifty") is a fantastic and affordable starting point. It offers a "normal" field of view similar to the human eye and usually has a wide aperture (like f/1.8) for creating beautiful background blur. For getting up close and personal with smaller items like skincare products or food, a dedicated Macro lens (typically in the 60mm to 100mm range) is a game-changer. It allows you to get incredibly close and capture a level of detail that standard lenses simply can't resolve.
Pro Tip: Avoid using ultra-wide-angle lenses (anything below ~35mm) for most product shots. They can distort the shape of your product, making straight lines appear curved and proportions look unnatural. Stick to focal lengths of 50mm and above to ensure your product looks true to life.
6. A Solid Tripod
A tripod might seem like a boring purchase, but it is the unsung hero of sharp, professional photography. When you're carefully arranging a scene and dialing in your lighting, the last thing you want is a blurry shot from an unsteady hand. A tripod eliminates camera shake, allowing you to use slower shutter speeds to capture more light without cranking up the ISO (which creates image noise).
More importantly, a tripod provides consistency. It locks your camera into a specific angle and composition. This is absolutely critical if you're shooting a series of products for an e-commerce store or a cohesive Instagram feed. Every product will be framed identically, creating a polished and professional look.
Pro Tip: Look for a tripod that allows the center column to be mounted horizontally. This is a lifesaver for creating those popular flat-lay and overhead shots without getting the tripod legs in your frame. It opens up a whole new world of creative compositions.
7. A Tethering Cable
This is the one tool that will make you feel most like a pro working in a high-end studio. Tethering is simply connecting your camera to a laptop or computer with a cable so you can see the image on a large screen in real-time as you shoot. Trying to judge critical focus, lighting, and composition on the tiny 3-inch screen on the back of your camera is incredibly difficult.
When you're tethered, the image instantly pops up on your laptop. You can zoom in to 100% to check that the label on your product is perfectly sharp. You can see the subtle effects of moving your reflector by a single inch. It completely changes your workflow, making you more precise, efficient, and confident in the shots you're capturing. Software like Adobe Lightroom Classic and Capture One have robust, built-in tethering features.
Pro Tip: Organize your tethering setup before you start shooting. Use a small side table or stool for your laptop and ensure your tethering cable is long enough that you won't accidentally pull your laptop onto the floor. Cable management is key in a small space!
8. A Curated Styling Kit
The final 10% of effort is what separates a good photo from a great one. This is where styling comes in. A small, curated styling kit is your secret weapon for adding that final layer of polish and storytelling to your images. You can keep all these items in a single shoebox.
Your kit should include practical tools and aesthetic props. For tools, include museum putty or wax to hold small items at the perfect angle, a can of compressed air to blast away dust, microfiber cloths, small clamps, and clear acrylic blocks to elevate products off the surface. For props, gather a small collection of items that fit your brand's aesthetic—things like neutral-colored linen napkins, small ceramic trays, dried flowers or botanicals, and other textural elements.
Pro Tip: As a professional photographer, Goh Ling Yong will tell you that the best props are the ones that support the story without stealing the show. Choose props with neutral colors and simple shapes that complement your product rather than compete with it for attention. The product should always be the star.
Your Studio Awaits
There you have it—the eight essential tools to build a powerful, compact product photography studio in your small apartment. It's proof that you don't need a massive budget or a dedicated room to create images that captivate your audience and grow your brand on Instagram.
Start with what you can. Maybe it's just a single light and a piece of foam core. Master that. Then add a tripod. Then some backdrops. Each piece you add is another tool in your creative arsenal. The most important thing is to begin, to experiment, and to learn how to shape light. Your apartment isn't holding you back; it's the perfect launchpad for your creative journey.
Now, I'd love to hear from you. What's the one piece of gear you're most excited to add to your kit to level up your product shots? Let me know in the comments below!
About the Author
Goh Ling Yong is a content creator and digital strategist sharing insights across various topics. Connect and follow for more content:
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