Photo Studio by Square
Photo Studio by Square is a mobile application available on the App Store. This tool allows users to edit and enhance their photos using va...
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What is Photo Studio by Square?
Photo Studio by Square is a free iOS app designed specifically for e-commerce sellers to create professional-quality product photos directly on their iPhone. The app simplifies the entire photography workflow by guiding users through three steps: snap, style, and sell. It uses advanced AI to automatically extract product backgrounds, add transparent backgrounds, and apply realistic shadows to make items stand out.
Key features include an in-app camera with photo tips for lighting and framing, a built-in camera stabilizer to keep angles straight and images consistent, background removal using neural network-based image segmentation, customizable background colors (including hex code input for brand matching), shadow effects (drop and directional), and full photo editing controls for exposure, contrast, saturation, highlights, item size, rotation, and position. Users can also upload existing photos from their camera roll or use stock photos from the in-app library.
The app is ideal for small business owners, online sellers, eBay/POS resellers, food and beverage vendors, and anyone selling products on Square Online, social media, or e-commerce websites. It seamlessly syncs with Square's item catalog, allowing users to create new Square items or connect photos to existing items directly from the app. Users can also generate Square Online Checkout payment links to start selling instantly.
Photo Studio by Square is completely free to download with no required in-app purchases for core functionality. It is only available on iPhone (iOS 14.1 or later) and supports English, Catalan, French, Japanese, and Spanish languages.
Photo Studio by Square pricing
Pricing model: Freemium
The app is completely free to download and use. Core features including background removal, photo editing, and Square catalog sync require no payment. There are optional in-app purchases for AI Environment photos: 40 Images for $8.00, 100 Images for $15.00, and 200 Images for $20.00 (pay-as-you-go pricing). No Square website account is required to use the app, though a Square account is needed to save photos, sync to Square items, or create Online Checkout links. No subscription required.
Photo Studio by Square pros
- Completely free to use with no required in-app purchases
- AI-powered automatic background removal using neural networks
- Seamless sync with Square item catalog for instant product listing
- Built-in camera stabilizer keeps angles straight and images consistent
- In-app photography tips for lighting, framing, and composition
- Custom background colors including hex code input for brand matching
- Realistic shadow effects (drop and directional) with adjustable angle and intensity
- Full photo editing controls: exposure, contrast, saturation, highlights
- Can upload existing photos from camera roll, not just take new photos
- Create Square Online Checkout payment links directly in the app
- Saves time by shooting, adjusting, and editing in minutes on phone
- Transparent PNG files when backgrounds are removed
- Stock photo library available within the app
- Refine Background tool to manually add or remove areas
- 4.8-star rating with 3.8K ratings on App Store
Photo Studio by Square cons
- Only available on iPhone (iOS 14.1 or later), not Android
- Cannot upload multiple photos at once for a single item
- Refine Background tool is difficult to use without preview while brushing
- No video mode for product video content
- Export/import can be slower compared to Photoshop-like software
- Limited advanced features compared to professional photo editing software
- Scenes feature was temporarily removed in an update (later restored)
- No slide bar option to choose between link creation and Sell Now feature
Frequently asked questions about Photo Studio by Square
How do I use the background remover?
The background remover uses artificial intelligence to detect the primary object in the picture and automatically removes the background. The AI tool does all the background removal editing work for you, so you don't need to take any additional steps. It uses a state-of-the-art neural network to perform image segmentation.
What background and shade options are available?
After the app removes the original background, you can use the photo with a transparent background or add a crisp white background for eCommerce. You can select from preset color backgrounds for social media selling, choose a styled two-tone background, or enter a specific hex code into the custom color picker to match your brand. You can also choose from background scene options.
Do I need a Square website account to start using the app?
A Square online account is not required to use the app. The app is free and doesn't require any in-app purchases. However, if you want to save photos, sync photos to Square items, or create a Square Online Checkout link, you will be prompted to create a Square account.
Which file format are the photos saved as?
File formats vary depending on the type of image. Images with backgrounds are saved as JPG files. Images with their backgrounds removed are saved as transparent PNG files.
Can I use photos already in my camera roll?
Yes, you can use the app's tools on photos already in your camera roll. In Step 1, you have the option to take a new photo, upload a photo from your library, or use a stock photo from the in-app library.
What shadow options can I add to my product photos?
You can pick between a drop shadow and a directional shadow. You can adjust the angle of the shadow and change its intensity to make your items stand out with realistic shading.
How do I refine the background if the AI makes mistakes?
If there are issues with removing the background, you can select 'Refine Background' and make adjustments by selecting 'Add' or 'Remove' to manually include or exclude areas from the background removal.
What editing controls are available for my photos?
You can edit exposure, contrast, saturation, highlights, item size, rotation, and position in the frame. You can also use the auto-adjustment tool for levels, or manually change exposure, contrast, highlights, shadows, and saturation.
What can I do with my edited photo after styling?
After completing your photo, you can select 'Add to Square' to add it to your Square catalog, 'Sell now' to create a payment link, 'Share' to share the photo, or 'Save to Photos' to save it to your device.
Is the app suitable for food and beverage items?
Yes, the app is built with online selling in mind and is designed to make products including food and beverage items come alive. The AI-powered background eraser, one-touch image extractor, and easy-to-use styling tools work for all product types.