How to Take Great Photos for Your Website with Just Your Phone

Practical tips for hairdressers, beauty salons, massage therapists, and fashion advisors

You don’t need a professional photographer to make your website look professional. If you’re running a small business, especially in the beauty and wellness space, your phone and a few simple tricks can be more than enough to showcase your space and services.

Let’s look at some easy, actionable tips to take better photos with your phone that will help your visitors feel confident and excited to book with you.

Composition: Framing the Perfect Shot

A clean composition makes a big difference. Clutter in the background or poor lighting can make even the nicest salon look uninviting.

Example: Before & After

• Bad: A photo of a hair station with tangled cords, half-used coffee cups, and product clutter.
• Good: Same spot, but cords are hidden, products neatly arranged, and good lighting brings everything to life.

Quick practical tips:

• Turn on the grid feature in your camera settings to help frame your subject using the rule of thirds.
• Use natural light. Take photos during the day near windows.
• Avoid zooming in. Step closer to your subject for better quality.
• Focus on what matters. If it’s a hair station, show the chair, mirror, and tools neatly.

Profile Photos for the “About Us” Section

Your potential clients want to see who they’ll be trusting with their hair, skin, or style. A friendly, professional-looking profile photo goes a long way.

How to shoot a great profile picture:

• Stand next to a window for soft, natural light. Don’t stand with the window directly behind you (it creates shadows).
• Use portrait mode if your phone has it.
• Wear your work outfit or something that reflects your style.
• Consider holding a tool you work with (like scissors, a brush, or essential oils) to make the photo more relatable.
• Smile gently, look natural.

Shooting Your Interior Space

Even a small space can look inviting if photographed well.

Before you shoot:

• Clean up! No coats on chairs, bags on the floor, or tangled cords.
• Turn on all the lights.
• Open the curtains to bring in daylight.

Tips:

• Take photos from the corner of the room to show more space.
• Shoot from chest height for a more natural perspective.
• Include cozy elements like plants, towels, or light decor.
• Take both wide shots and detail shots (like a shelf with neatly arranged products).

Post-Processing: Easy Free Tools You Can Use

A little editing can turn an average photo into a great one.

Top free tools:

• Snapseed (iOS & Android) – Brightness, contrast, crop, fix small distractions.
• Lightroom Mobile (free version) – More control over light and colors.
• Canva – Great for resizing, cropping, and adding text or logos.

Simple edits that make a big difference:

• Slightly increase brightness and contrast.
• Use the “Pop” or “Details” tool to enhance texture (great for hair or fabrics).
• Use the “Perspective” or “Straighten” tool to fix crooked lines in interior shots.

Final Thoughts

Great photos don’t need expensive gear. With a bit of preparation and these easy techniques, your website can look fresh, welcoming, and professional.

And remember: consistency matters more than perfection. The more you shoot, the better you’ll get. Take a few minutes every week to capture your space, your work, or your team. It adds life to your online presence and builds trust with your visitors.

Want help building a website where your photos can shine? With Timevise, you can set up a clean, professional site with online booking and beautiful layouts—no tech skills needed.