What you’ll learn in this episode:   What makes jewelry so difficult to photograph, and Kim’s tips for capturing jewelry in photos What techniques Kim uses to make gemstones look shiny, sparkly and colorful Which tools and tips photographers need to get started with jewelry photography Common jewelry photography mistakes and how to avoid them How to choose the right jewelry photographer   About Kim Nunneley:   Kim Nunneley is a Los Angeles-based IATSE Local 600 photographer specializing in unit photography, gallery, lifestyle and portraiture. She has held various roles, from photographer at a fashion merchandising company to photo assistant, and she has worked at one of the world’s most prestigious photo studios in NYC. She has developed a niche as a jewelry photographer working for major jewelry companies.    Additional Resources: Website Instagram Facebook   Photos Available on TheJewelryJourney.com   Transcript:   A simple photo can never quite capture the real-life beauty of a diamond, ruby or sapphire. That’s why photographer Kim Nunneley relies on a variety of tools, software and experience to make jewelry photographs that shine. She joined the Jewelry Journey Podcast to talk about the mistakes she made when she first started photographing jewelry; her tips for burgeoning jewelry photographers; and what questions jewelry brands should ask to choose the right photographer. Read the episode transcript here.  Sharon: Hello, everyone. Welcome to the Jewelry Journey Podcast. This is the second part of a two-part episode. If you haven’t heard part one, please head to TheJewelryJourney.com.    My guest today is Kim Nunneley of Kim Alexis Photography. She is a photographer who specializes in jewelry. She’ll tell us some of the tricks we should know to take a nice photo. Welcome back.    Does the stone matter? Is it easier to photograph some stones than others, like a ruby as opposed to a sapphire?   Kim: What’s actually more important is the age and condition the stones are in, more so than the color. It’s more so the cut and condition. I have one client who specializes in antique and vintage jewelry. A lot of the pieces are very old, and they’re not as easy to photograph as the jewelry from my other client who makes her own stuff. It’s all sparkly, brand-new pieces, and they’re so much easier to photograph. The diamonds are easier to photograph. The gold is easier to photograph. With these antique pieces, they’re much more complicated because we have to make these stones that are 100 years old or more look sparkly and shiny and beautiful. A lot of times you’ll see—what is it called, an incision? Is that the word for these stones? Is that what it is, incisions in the stones?   Sharon: I don’t know.    Kim: Like a cut on the inside.   Sharon: Yeah.   Kim: Yeah, some of these old stones have that. I think it’s more crucial in learning how to photograph those older conditions.    Sharon: Because antique jewelry is so popular today, what advice would you give somebody who has been handed a 100-year-old ring?    Kim: I would say practice on newer pieces to learn how light reflects and how it hits. Once you know that, you’ll be able to adjust your lighting for these older pieces. You’ll know what to do with those situations if you have already photographed newer pieces. I would say start off with newer pieces to sharpen your skills.   Sharon: What if somebody hands you a diamond and says, “I want to show that this is a diamond of a certain cut, an old one versus a new piece”? Can you do that with photography?   Kim: Yeah, you absolutely can. Like I said, sometimes we just can’t get it as sparkly as a new diamond. Even with lighting and Photoshopping, it will never look the same, but there are tools you can use. That’s also important; it doesn’t necessarily have to look as sparkly or new because it’s not. It’s not a new one and there’s beauty in that. There’s a perfect example of a rose cut.  I love a rose cut diamond, but they are