Sunny doesn’t mean great. Some sunny days are wonderful for photos, others are horrible. A sunny day where the sky is covered in white haze is not a good day for photos. Choose a sunny day with a clear, vivid blue sky to make your pictures seem more brilliant and colorful. Remember that little fluffy clouds are nice, but they can always be added later. This tip also applies to personal portraits.

Seasons matter. The best time of year for outdoor pictures is late spring or early summer. This is when the grass is greenest and the trees are fullest, providing an excellent backdrop for pictures. However, as with weather, seasons should be chosen to suit your product. If you sell snowmobiles take pictures in snow, if you sell pumpkins take pictures in autumn.

Getting the Shots
Along with the above tips, there are other things to do and consider when taking photos.

Research. Before you take your pictures, decide on how you want them to look. To figure out placements, angles, etc. for your subjects, look online or in magazines for pictures of products similar to those you carry. Choose the top ten pictures you like, and then ask, “What did it take to get those shots?” Model your shots after the pictures you found to get the look you want.

Don’t limit your photo count. The easiest way to get the awesome picture you’re looking for is to not limit yourself to one shot. If you only take one picture of your subject, you will be stuck with that picture. By taking three or more pictures of each subject, you allow yourself to choose the picture that works best for you. Also remember that quality is important, but don’t sacrifice quantity for quality. Try to find a balance between quality shots and a large enough quantity of shots.

Frame your shots. A common beginner mistake is to fill the shot with your subject. Take a few steps back from the subject to gain some empty space on the perimeter of the shot. This ensures your subject is in the frame completely, and allows you to change the focus of your shot when editing your photos.

Know how your camera works. Take the time to learn about your camera and its functions. Explore the different settings for photos (and movies if that is an option), and see how using or not using the flash or filters changes the look of your pictures. Also make sure your camera is set on “photo” if you want to take pictures, or “movie” if you want to record motion.

These tips are meant to help you take good photos, but don't expect to become an expert photographer overnight. Great photography takes practice and hard work.