Amazon Product Photography in 2023: 23 Tips and Hacks To Increase Sales

Reading Time: 12 minutes

Are you trying to create Amazon product listings that deliver fantastic results and withstand the test of time, even in a competitive market?

I can’t stress enough the importance of great product photography when selling on Amazon. Your ‘hero’ shots need to be instant scroll stoppers, encouraging the viewer to click to learn more about your products.

But creating amazing product shots or finding the right photographers to do so without losing your shirt can be a bit tricky.

So here are my best Amazon Product Photography tips to ensure you upload products with awesome images that increase both conversions and sales.

Quick Takeaways:

  1. Importance of High-Quality Images: Ensuring your product photos are of high quality is crucial for grabbing customer attention and building trust.
  2. Minimum Pixel Requirement: Your images should be at least 1000 x 1000 pixels to allow customers to zoom in and see product details clearly.
  3. Build Trust Through Details: Clear, detailed images are essential for giving customers an accurate representation of your product, helping them make informed buying decisions.
  4. Maximize Image Spaces: Utilize all the image slots in your Amazon listing to provide a comprehensive view of your product.
  5. Consistency is Key: Maintain a consistent style, lighting, and background across all your images for a cohesive brand experience.
  6. Follow Amazon’s Guidelines: Adherence to Amazon’s photography requirements is essential to avoid penalties or listing suppression.
  7. Lifestyle Images Matter: Including lifestyle shots helps customers envision how the product would fit into their lives.
  8. Optimize for Mobile: Ensure your images look great on mobile devices, considering many customers shop on their phones.

Why Amazon Product Photography is so Important

In today’s competitive online marketplace, standing out from the crowd is crucial for your success.

One of the key factors that can make or break your product listing on Amazon is the quality of your product photography.

Images are the first thing customers notice when browsing products on Amazon, and they play a significant role in shaping their perception of your brand and products.

Here’s why high-quality product imagery is so important:

1. Grab the attention of potential customers

With millions of products available on Amazon, capturing the attention of potential customers is essential.

High-quality, visually appealing images can make your product stand out from the competition, increasing the chances that shoppers will click on your listing and explore your offerings.

2. Build trust by showcasing product details and quality

Customers cannot physically interact with your product when shopping online, making it even more important to provide them with clear, detailed images that accurately represent your product.

High-quality product photography can build trust by showcasing the product’s details, materials, and quality, helping customers make informed decisions and reducing the likelihood of returns.

3. Drive click-throughs and conversions

A high-quality product image not only grabs attention but also encourages customers to click on your listing and ultimately make a purchase.

By providing a variety of images, including close-ups, lifestyle shots, and different angles, you can give customers a comprehensive understanding of your product, increasing the likelihood that they will convert into buyers.

4. Create a strong brand presence

Your product images are an essential component of your brand identity, as they help convey your brand’s values, style, and quality.

Consistent, high-quality product photography across all your listings can create a strong brand presence that resonates with customers, making them more likely to remember your brand and return for future purchases.

image of a fantastic hero shot of gum mint product on amazon

Investing in high-quality Amazon product photography is crucial for attracting customers, building trust, and driving sales.

By focusing on creating captivating, informative, and visually appealing images, you can set your brand apart from the competition and establish a strong presence in the online marketplace.

23 Tips to Optimize Your Amazon Product Photography to Increase Click Throughs & Conversions

1. Use high-quality images: Ensure your images are sharp, well-lit, and accurately represent your product. Your photography output will help differentiate your product from the rest.

2. Images must be 1000 x 1000 pixels minimum: This allows customers to zoom in and see product details clearly.

3. Use instructional photos: Show customers how to use your product by including step-by-step images.

4. Include a comparison chart: Help customers understand the differences between your product and competitors’ products.

image of an iphone fast charging cable, comparing its performance to other brands on amazon

5. Use the image spaces on your product listing: Maximize the available image slots to provide a comprehensive visual representation of your product.

6. Use proper lighting: Good lighting highlights your product’s features and eliminates unwanted shadows. You can also find a good quality lighting kit on Amazon.

7. Your photos must occupy at least 85% of the frame: This ensures your product stands out and is easily visible.

8. Use lifestyle images: Show your product in use to help customers envision how it would fit into their lives.

9. Capture the image from different angles: Provide multiple perspectives to give customers a well-rounded view of your product.

10. Show the product’s unique features: Highlight what sets your product apart from the competition.

11. Optimize for mobile: Ensure your images look great on mobile devices, as many customers shop on their phones or tablets.

12. Get better conversions with A+ content: Utilize enhanced content to showcase your product’s features and benefits through images, videos, and text.

13. Keep the images consistent: Use a consistent style, lighting, and background across all your images to create a cohesive brand experience.

image of a black iphone fast charging cable on a clean, white background on amazon

14. The beauty of the white background: A clean, white background makes your product stand out and is a requirement for Amazon’s main image.

15. Keep the image resolution high: High-resolution photos or images allow customers to zoom in and see the details of your product.

16. Pay attention to the product size: Include images that showcase your product’s size relative to familiar objects.

17. Use a tripod or a steady surface: A stable surface helps ensure sharp, focused images.

18. Don’t keep additional items with the product: Avoid cluttering your images with unrelated items that may confuse customers, regardless if it’s a wholesale or private label product.

19. Don’t add immodest content: Ensure your images adhere to Amazon’s guidelines and are appropriate for all audiences.

20. Create a ‘scroll-stopping’ main hero image: Your main hero image should be eye-catching and entice customers to click on your listing.

21. Add infographics: Use informative graphics to visually communicate your product’s features and benefits.

22. Experiment with video and 360-degree photos: Engage customers with interactive content that provides a more immersive experience.

23. Follow Amazon’s guidelines: Adhere to Amazon marketplace image requirements to avoid listing suppression or penalties.

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Part of the Junglescout suite of excellent FBA tools, the learning academy is a comprehensive video training library containing hours of content, including training videos, webinars, and interviews with successful Amazon sellers.

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10 Best Practices for Amazon Product Photography

1. Features vs Benefits – Which One Is More Important And Why

image of a sunscreen brand in spray, lotion, and stick forms at the beach

To effectively convey the value of your product, it is important to focus on both its features (what your product does) and benefits (how it improves the customer’s life) in your images.

Showcasing features can help customers understand your product’s functionality, while highlighting benefits can appeal to their emotions and help them envision how the product can enhance their lives.

Balancing both elements in your product photography can create a more compelling and persuasive visual presentation.

2. The Rule Of Three

image of a smiling mother and daughter applying sunscreen on their faces at the beach during a sunny day

Use a combination of lifestyle images, close-ups, and instructional photos for a balanced visual representation.

Lifestyle images allow customers to visualize how the product can fit into their daily lives. Close-ups provide detailed views of the product’s materials and design. And instructional photos guide customers on how to use the product effectively.

This diverse mix of images can help address various customer concerns and create a comprehensive understanding of your product.

3. Less Is More

image of an spf 70 sunscreen lotion free from distractions and clutters

Keep your images clean and focused, avoiding unnecessary clutter or distractions. A minimalist approach to your product photography ensures that the viewer’s attention remains on your product and its key features.

Uncluttered images can also make it easier for customers to process the information and make quick decisions, which is particularly important in a fast-paced online shopping environment.

4. Show Don’t Tell

image of an spf 50 sunscreen warning on how the white cast of its ingredients look on a caucasian woman's face

Use images to demonstrate your product’s features and benefits instead of relying solely on text. Visuals can quickly and effectively communicate information that may be difficult to convey through written descriptions.

By showing your product in action, you can help customers understand its functionality and value, leading to increased interest and sales.

5. Consistent Visual Branding

image of an spf 50 sunscreen with its infographics, following its consistent visual branding

Maintain a consistent visual style across all your product images to create a strong brand identity.

Consistency in factors like lighting, backgrounds, color schemes, and image composition can help establish a recognizable brand aesthetic, making your products more memorable and appealing to customers.

This can also help build trust and credibility, as a cohesive brand image signals professionalism and attention to detail.

6. Use Infographics

image of the infographics presenting complex information of an spf 50 sunscreen brand

Infographics are an excellent way to present complex information in an easily digestible visual format.

By incorporating infographics into your product images, you can highlight key features, specifications, and comparisons with competing products in a visually engaging way.

This can help customers quickly grasp the unique selling points of your product and make more informed purchasing decisions.

7. Showcase Unique Features

image of an spf 70 sunscreen with its unique features in text

Make sure to highlight the features that set your product apart from the competition. This can help your product stand out in a crowded marketplace and give customers a reason to choose your offering over others.

Use clear, focused images that emphasize these unique selling points and reinforce their importance in the customer’s decision-making process.

8. Optimize for Mobile Devices

image of an spf 70 sunscreen optimized for mobile devices

With a growing number of customers shopping on their mobile devices, it is crucial to ensure that your product images look great on smaller screens.

Make sure your images are sharp, properly sized, and formatted for optimal viewing on mobile devices to provide the best possible shopping experience for your customers, regardless of the device they are using.

9. Incorporate Customer Testimonials and Reviews

screenshot of a product listing that utilized customer reviews and testimonials

Including customer testimonials or positive reviews in your product images can help build trust and credibility.

This social proof can reassure potential buyers that your product has been tried and tested by others and has met or exceeded their expectations.

Make sure to use quotes that are genuine and specific to your product’s features and benefits to maintain authenticity.

10. Test and Iterate

image of a smiling mother and her son, dipping in the waters

Continuously test different image compositions, styles, and arrangements to find the most effective combination for driving customer engagement and sales.

By analyzing customer feedback and monitoring sales data, you can identify which images resonate best with your target audience and make informed decisions about how to improve your product photography strategy.

Regularly updating and refining your images can help you stay ahead of the competition and adapt to changing customer preferences and market trends.

Ideal Equipment Needed to Take Product Pictures for Amazon

  • A high-quality camera: Choose a DSLR, mirrorless, or high-end smartphone camera for sharp images.
  • A tripod or other support stands: Ensure stability for crisp, focused photos.
  • A memory card: Store your images securely and transfer them easily.
  • A white background material: Use a seamless white paper roll or cloth for a clean, professional background.
  • A background stand: Keep the background material in place during shooting.
  • A white foam board: Use as a reflector to bounce light onto your product and eliminate shadows.
  • A foldable table for shooting: A stable surface to place your product on during the shoot.
  • Clamps and duct tape: Secure your background material and other elements during the shoot.
  • Window with sufficient natural light: Take advantage of natural light for well-lit images.
  • Artificial light stand: Use continuous lighting or speedlights for consistent and controlled lighting.

Learn How to Build Your Own 7-Figure Amazon FBA Business

Part of the Junglescout suite of excellent FBA tools, the learning academy is a comprehensive video training library containing hours of content, including training videos, webinars, and interviews with successful Amazon sellers.

Whether you’re just starting your business, or growing your brand, get expert training from Amazon sellers without the hefty price tag.

How to Set Up to Get the Best Photo

  1. Choose a well-lit location with minimal distractions.
  2. Set up your white background material and secure it with clamps or tape.
  3. Place your product on a stable surface, like a table.
  4. Set up your camera and tripod, ensuring the camera is level with the product.
  5. Adjust lighting to eliminate shadows and create an even light distribution.
  6. Experiment with different angles and compositions to find the best shot.

When & How to Use Photo Editing Software

  1. Use photo editing software to enhance your images and correct any imperfections.
  2. Choose user-friendly tools like Adobe Lightroom, Canva, or Snapseed.
  3. Adjust brightness, contrast, and colors for a polished look.
  4. Crop and resize images according to Amazon’s requirements.
  5. Remove the background and any visible imperfections.

Should You Hire a Professional Photographer?

If you lack the time, equipment, or skills for quality product photography, consider hiring a professional product photographer.

They can deliver high-quality images, saving you time and effort while ensuring your product images meet Amazon’s guidelines.

image of an orange 40-L hiking backpack

How to Hire a Professional Photographer

  • Local photographers: Search for photographers in your area who specialize in product photography.
  • Amazon product photography services: Explore Amazon’s network of approved Amazon product photography service providers.
  • Freelancer marketplaces: Browse platforms like Upwork or Fiverr to find freelance photographers with relevant experience.
screenshot of upwork page showing hire the best photographers

What Are the Technical Requirements for Amazon Product Images?

Requirement for the Hero shot:

  • Must be on a pure white background (RGB 255, 255, 255).
  • The product must fill at least 85% of the frame.
  • No additional text, graphics, or logos allowed.
image of a hero shot of stone nonstick deep frying pan skillet, with lid and wooden handle

Requirements for the secondary images include:

  • Must be clear and in focus.
  • Minimum size of 1000 x 1000 pixels.
  • Can include lifestyle shots, different angles, and infographics.
secondary image of the stone nonstick deep frying pan skillet, with a woman holding the wooden handle while transferring the sunny side-up egg to the plate

Must-Have Requirements for Your Amazon Product Photography

  • High-resolution images that showcase product details.
  • A variety of images, including lifestyle shots and close-ups.
  • Clear and accurate representation of your product.

Step-by-Step Instructions to Add Images to Your Amazon Product Listing

1. Log in to your Amazon Seller Central account.

screenshot of the amazon seller central sign in page

2. Go to the Inventory tab and select ‘Manage Inventory.’

screenshot of the manage inventory tab inside seller central

3. Click ‘Edit‘ next to the product listing you want to add images to.

4. In the ‘Edit Product Info‘ page, click on the ‘Images‘ tab.

5. Upload your product images by clicking on the ‘Choose File‘ button or drag and drop them into the designated areas.

screenshot of the upload image tab inside seller central

6. Ensure your main image adheres to Amazon’s guidelines and is set as the primary image.

7. Save your changes by clicking on the ‘Save and Finish‘ button.

Amazon Photography Tips – Summary

As I said at the start, investing in high-quality Amazon product photography is probably one of the most important strategies for attracting customers and driving sales.

Not only can you create captivating and effective product images that help you stand out from the competition on Amazon, but you can also use the images to promote your products elsewhere, driving even more eyeballs and traffic to your listings.

If you’re not confident in your own photography skills, don’t try to blag this part of your business. Hire a photographer, phone a friend, and get it done right. It will pay dividends, I assure you.

Good luck with your Amazon business!

Learn How to Build Your Own 7-Figure Amazon FBA Business

Part of the Junglescout suite of excellent FBA tools, the learning academy is a comprehensive video training library containing hours of content, including training videos, webinars, and interviews with successful Amazon sellers.

Whether you’re just starting your business, or growing your brand, get expert training from Amazon sellers without the hefty price tag.

Amazon Photography Tips – FAQs

What are the benefits of product photography on Amazon?

Product photography offers numerous advantages when you’re selling on Amazon. First, it grabs the attention of potential customers, serving as a kind of instant ‘photoshoot for Amazon.’ Quality images can make your product listings pop, influencing the buying decision positively. Using lifestyle photos in your listing can help customers visualize the product in their own lives.

Professional product photography also contributes to brand trust and credibility. Moreover, having your products on white backgrounds or using various bullet points to highlight key features can add a professional touch that customers appreciate.

Does Amazon provide product photography?

No, Amazon does not generally offer professional product photography services. Sellers are responsible for arranging their own photos, whether they opt for a photoshoot for Amazon or choose to take pictures themselves. However, it’s crucial to adhere to Amazon’s photography guidelines, which often require products on white backgrounds for the main image.

Is it legal to use images from Amazon?

It’s generally not advisable to use stock images or any other images directly from Amazon unless you have explicit permission from the owner. Using copyrighted images can result in penalties and could be illegal. Ensure you either conduct your own photoshoot for Amazon or hire professional product photography services to meet your needs.

How do I take good Amazon product photos?

  • Use high-quality cameras and equipment.
  • Ensure proper lighting and a clean, white background.
  • Capture multiple angles and lifestyle images.
  • Edit your images to enhance their visual appeal and meet Amazon’s requirements.

Can I use manufacturer photos on Amazon?

Yes, but ensure you have permission from the manufacturer to use their images. Also, make sure the images meet Amazon’s guidelines and accurately represent your product.

What are Amazon product photography standards?

Amazon has specific guidelines for product images, including high quality photos, a pure white background for the main image, minimum size requirements, and a clear focus on the product.

  • Make sure your photos show the product as it really is.
  • The pictures should align with the product’s name.
  • At least 85% of the photo should be taken up by the product.
  • For the best zoom quality, have the longest side of your image be at least 1600 pixels.

What are the 5 key elements to a perfect picture in product photography?

  • High resolution and image quality
  • Proper lighting
  • Clean and consistent background
  • Accurate representation of the product
  • Engaging composition

How to be an Amazon product photographer?

  • Invest in quality equipment and learn basic photography techniques.
  • Understand Amazon’s guidelines and follow best practices.
  • Continuously improve your skills and experiment with new ideas.
  • Consider hiring a professional photographer if needed.
About the author

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