How to Photograph Your Artwork Using Your Phone

Simple tips to capture your mini masterpiece like a pro

At Kakklein Collective, we celebrate the beauty of small-scale art—so it’s essential that each submission is photographed clearly and professionally. Don’t worry, you don’t need a fancy camera. Your smartphone is more than capable!

Here are our top tips to help you take great photos of your artwork:

First Step Most Important off all

Clean Your Camera Lens

🧼 This one’s easy to forget—but it makes a big difference.

Wipe your phone’s camera lens gently with a microfiber cloth (or the corner of your shirt if you’re in a pinch).
A smudged lens can cause blurry or hazy photos, even with perfect lighting.

Use Natural Lighting

💡 Avoid flash. Use daylight instead.

Place your artwork near a bright window.
Indirect, soft daylight works best—avoid harsh sunlight that causes glare or deep shadows.
Shoot during the day when light is even (morning or late afternoon is ideal).

Avoid Shadows and Reflections

Watch out for your hand or phone casting shadows on the piece.
Take a few steps to the side to change the angle if needed.
If your artwork has a glossy finish, tilt it slightly to reduce reflections.

Shoot Straight On

🖼️ Keep the edges of your artwork square with the frame.

Hold your phone parallel to the artwork (not at an angle).
Use gridlines (enabled in your camera settings) to keep everything aligned.

Use a Neutral Background

🎨 Let your artwork shine.

Place your piece on a plain, solid background—white, black, grey, or neutral tones work best.
Avoid patterned surfaces or busy surroundings that may distract from the artwork.

Stabilize Your Phone

📱 Blurry shots = missed details.

Rest your elbows on a table or use a phone tripod to keep your hand steady.
Tap the screen to focus on the artwork before taking the photo.

Edit Lightly, If Needed

🛠️ Adjust brightness, not the art.

Use your phone’s editing tools to slightly enhance lighting or crop the image.
Do not apply filters that alter the colors or textures of your work. We want your piece to look as close to reality as possible.

Include Close-Ups (Optional)

🔍 Show the details.

Feel free to include a close-up photo that highlights brushstrokes, textures, or fine detail.
This adds a sense of scale and craftsmanship.

Check the File Quality

📁 Send high-resolution images.

Ensure your photos are clear and not pixelated.
Save images in .JPG or .PNG format, at a minimum of 1500px on the longest side.
File size should be under 5MB per image for uploads.

Label Your File Clearly

📝 Example: ArtistName_ArtworkTitle.jpg

This helps us keep track of submissions and ensures proper credit to you.