How to Photograph Tabletop Miniatures on a Budget: Pro Tips from a Pro Using Just Your Phone

You’ve spent hours painting your Warhammer army, customising your D&D characters, or detailing your 40K vehicles. Now it’s time to show them off—but professional miniature photography setups can get expensive fast.

Don’t worry. You don’t need a DSLR or a studio to take stunning photos of your tabletop miniatures. With a few budget-friendly tools and some clever techniques, you can capture your models in all their glory—using just your smartphone

Here’s how to photograph wargaming miniatures on a budget like a pro.

1. Lighting: The Real MVP of Miniature Photography

Lighting can make or break your shot. Here's how to master it:

• Use natural light when possible. A window with indirect sunlight is your best friend.

• If shooting indoors, use LED desk lamps with daylight bulbs (5000K–6500K). You can get these cheaply online.

• Avoid harsh shadows by using two lights at 45° angles—one on each side of your mini.

• Budget trick: Use white printer paper or kitchen foil as reflectors to soften shadows and bounce light back into the scene

  
  

2. Backgrounds: Keep It Clean and Simple

Busy backgrounds distract from your work.

• Use black, grey, or white card as a seamless backdrop. You can also buy small vinyl backdrops for cheap.

• Want a fantasy vibe? Use terrain from your tabletop setup, but keep it subtle.

• Pro tip: A DIY lightbox made from a cardboard box and tracing paper or muslin cloth works wonders.

3. Camera Settings: Yes, Even Phones Have Them

Most smartphone cameras offer manual or “pro” modes. Use them!

• Tap to focus on the mini’s face or most detailed area.

• Lower ISO (100–200) to reduce grain.

• Raise exposure slightly if your image looks too dark—but avoid blowing out highlights.

• Use portrait mode if your phone supports it, but keep an eye on edge blur.

• Always clean your lens before shooting—finger smudges are detail killers.

• Keep yhe angle low to high to get that mightly hero looks (think beer & soft drink commericals)

• Add Led loighting into it if you have it, or a red tissue over a light to change it up, just keep and eye on the heat from the bulb ;)

4. Stability: Shake Less, Sharpen More

Blurred photos come from movement. Here's how to fix that:

• Use a mini tripod or phone stand.

• No tripod? Rest your phone on a box or stack of books.

• Use a timer or remote shutter to avoid touching the screen and shaking the shot.

5. Editing: Enhance Without Overdoing It

Editing can take your photo from “meh” to “wow”—even on a phone.

• Use free apps like Snapseed

• Bump up contrast, clarity, and sharpness slightly to bring out painted details.

• Adjust white balance so colors match real life—especially if you use artificial light.

Bonus Tips:

• Photograph your minis at eye level to make them feel larger and more lifelike.

• Take multiple shots from different angles—front, side, and close-up detail.

• Don’t forget before and after photos to track your painting progress.

Show Off What You’ve Built

Whether you're sharing on Instagram, Discord, or a tournament forum, great photos help tell the story behind your minis. And the best part? You don’t need a full studio to do it—just some creativity, good light, and your trusty phone.

Start snapping. Your army deserves the spotlight.