1. A light box with simple backgrounds.
FYI - You can build your own light box http://www.digital-photography-school.com/how-to-make-a-inexpensive-light-tent (which didn’t go well for me and I didn’t like the fact that it didn’t clean up nice and compact).
photo from http://www.digital-photography-school.com/how-to-make-a-inexpensive-light-tent
2. A tripod and a remote shutter release.
3. Bright daylight bulbs.
4. Photo editing programs.
5. Focus...make sure you focus on your object, not on your other props!
6. TIME. Don’t rush yourself. Take the time to get things right!
Take pictures of your items at different angles. Stage your product with something that lends to it, not takes away.
Simple backgrounds are often best as your main focus is on the product itself.
I do tend to shoot in manual mode, rather than in Auto, giving me a lot more control over how my photo is going to turn out. This means adjusting your aperture, shutter speed, ISO, and white balance.
Here's just a small glance at the difference between Auto white balance and me adjusting the white balance:
REMEMBER, your customers can't pick up your objects and inspect them, so your photo has got to sell it!
If you have a product that you can easily reproduce a lot of and don't find yourself loving the photography end, consider hiring a professional photographer to do your photos. Even if it's just one to use as your man selling photo to grab the attention of potential customers.
More information on product photography along with some question and answers at Crystal Gayle Photography blog.
