Greeting Card Photography Ideas for Small Businesses in the UK

Whether you’re a UK-based card maker selling on Etsy, your own website, or at local markets, strong product photography helps your greeting cards stand out in a crowded online space.

Complementary colour backgrounds
Shelfie styling
Flat lays with on-theme props
Group shots to showcase your collection

Greeting card photography might seem simple at first glance—it’s just a card, right? But when you’re photographing handmade greeting cards for your website, Etsy shop, or social media, you quickly realise that capturing their charm, texture, and personality takes a little creative thinking.

From hand-illustrated designs and thoughtful typography to luxe paper stocks and tactile finishes, greeting cards are packed with detail. The goal of great product photography for greeting cards is to bring all of that to life on screen, helping customers imagine holding the card in their hands. And the good news? You don’t need an elaborate studio setup to create beautiful, scroll-stopping images: I can shoot them for you!

In this post, I’m sharing practical greeting card photography ideas for small businesses and independent makers. Whether you’re photographing cards for an online shop or building content for Instagram, these tips will help you create images that feel on-brand, engaging, and confidence-boosting—for you and your customers.

Complimentary colour background

Choosing a background that picks up colours from your card design instantly makes your photos feel cohesive and intentional. It’s a simple way to let your artwork shine while creating images that feel polished and on-brand.

2. Shelfie styling

Shelfies are perfect for adding a lifestyle feel to your greeting card photography. Propping cards on a shelf or ledge helps show scale, adds depth, and gives customers a sense of how your cards might look in their own space.

3. Flat lays with on-theme props

Flat lays are ideal for storytelling. By styling your cards with carefully chosen, on-theme props—think flowers, stationery, or seasonal details—you can create images that feel thoughtful without distracting from the design itself.

4. Group shots to showcase your collection

Group shots are a great way to show the variety within your range at a glance. Photographing several cards together helps highlight colour palettes, themes, and collections, while also making your shop feel full and well-established. You can also use them to up-sell in your product listings.

Book a Greeting Card Product Photoshoot

Want to book a photoshoot for your brand? Check out my special packages for greeting card product photography & fill out my enquiry form here

Shop my Mockups

Want an affordable off-the-shelf option? Check out my Etsy Mockup Photography Shop for drag and drop card, print & device mockups. Simply add your designs to the pre-made photography mockups in photoshop. Designed to be quick, simple to use and hassle free.