u/Killykillstabstab

I photograph small, often highly reflective rectangular objects (6" x 3" x 1/4") and want to improve my results without abandoning my iPhone 16 Pro, which is important to my Instagram/website workflow.

Current setup:

iPhone 16 Pro with a cheap adjustable stand.

16" x 16" x 16" lightbox (480 diffused LEDs at 5500K and 95CRI).

Cheap foam background for overhead shots (I remove the BG in post).

15" x 15" contact paper background for held shot content.

What I shoot:

Flat lay at a slight angle above the object.

Angled shot (often hand held).

15 - 90 second video showing the object from multiple angles while held.

My specific challenges:

Controlling reflections on highly reflective surfaces.

Making overhead shots more consistent and polished.

More consistent overall lighting

What I'm looking for:

Lighting upgrades, diffusion solutions, backgrounds, rigs, iPhone stands... Anything that would meaningfully level up the quality. Total budget is around $1,000 max, and I would like to keep the iPhone in the workflow.

What would you prioritize or change first?

I photograph small, often highly reflective rectangular objects (6" x 3" x 1/4") and want to improve my results without abandoning my iPhone 16 Pro, which is important to my Instagram/website workflow.

Current setup:

iPhone 16 Pro with a cheap adjustable stand.

16" x 16" x 16" lightbox (480 diffused LEDs at 5500K and 95CRI).

Cheap foam background for overhead shots (I remove the BG in post).

15" x 15" contact paper background for held shot content.

What I shoot:

Flat lay at a slight angle above the object.

Angled shot (often hand held).

15 - 90 second video showing the object from multiple angles while held.

My specific challenges:

Controlling reflections on highly reflective surfaces.

Making overhead shots more consistent and polished.

More consistent overall lighting

What I'm looking for:

Lighting upgrades, diffusion solutions, backgrounds, rigs, iPhone stands... Anything that would meaningfully level up the quality. Total budget is around $1,000 max, and I would like to keep the iPhone in the workflow.

What would you prioritize or change first?

Edit*

Here's what I picked up:

Light cone (small size made for phones).

GVM-SD80D (2-pack) with stands, softboxes, barndoors, and hyper reflectors.

Moment iPhone camera case

Moment anti-glare CPL quicklock filter.

Moment iPhone cheeseplate mount.

Impact C-stand overhead shot kit.

Impact 15lb saddlebag.

V-Flat Duo Boards (three of these).

Total cost was just over $750 after taxes and shipping.

We currently have a five night stay in a Premium Oceanfront Studio at The Whaler for around $2,500. I just noticed that they have a Standard Oceanfront Studio available for $1,800 for the same dates and it has me questioning if it's worth the extra $700 for the Premium studio over the Standard studio.

In either case we won't be able to choose the exact unit we will be staying in.

The furnishings wouldn't be super important to us (although we would prefer the guaranteed queen bed in the Premium over the possible double in the standard). Views however would be rather important.

Thanks again for the advice!

Edit*

Ocean View, not Oceanfront!

I am surprising my wife with a four night trip to Maui in May and am hoping for a little advice. Neither of us has ever been. This is kind of a belated honeymoon, and she thinks we're going on a trip for my business.

Nice views and within walking distance of a nice, sandy beach are what I think would be most important to my wife.

We can stay in a Premium Oceanfront Studio at the Mahana at Kaanapali for just under $1,600 which seems like a really good deal for a place with a good view. I think I've read there is a good beach within five or ten minutes, but maybe I'm wrong?

The Royal Lahaina Resort would be about $2,200 and is another I looked at.

The Whaler, The Ritz-Carlton, and Hyatt Regency would be around $3,000, which is about the limit I can spend on a room at this time. At this point it starts cutting into the funds I'll have available for experiences and nice meals.

The Wailea Beach resort and similar hotels are out of reach at a bit north of $4,000 for the stay.

*Edit

Just booked a Premium Studio Oceanview at the Whaler for $2,000. Thanks everyone!