Product photography plays a vital role in the success of any e-commerce business, especially for online marketplaces like Amazon.
A high-quality product photograph can make or break a customer’s purchase decision.
Therefore, learning how to do product photography for Amazon is essential to increase sales and attract more customers.
In this blog, we will discuss Amazon Product Photography tips to help you capture stunning product images that will improve your sales on Amazon.
If you are ready, let’s explore the world of Amazon product photography.
What Is Professional Product Photography?
Professional product photography is a specialized field that focuses on capturing high-quality images of products for commercial use.
It involves using various techniques and equipment to showcase products in their best possible light, making them visually appealing to potential customers.
Professional product photography plays a crucial role in advertising, whether it’s through traditional channels such as catalogs, magazine ads, and brochures or through digital platforms like online ads, company websites, and billboards.
This is particularly true when businesses are directly selling products to consumers.
By presenting high-quality images that showcase the products in their best light, professional product photography helps to attract potential customers, build brand recognition, and drive sales both online and offline.
Professional product photographers use various techniques to capture images that showcase the product’s unique features and benefits.
Types of Amazon Product Photos
When it comes to selling products on Amazon, high-quality product photos are essential for catching the attention of potential customers and increasing sales.
There are several types of product photos that sellers can use to showcase their products effectively on the platform:
1. Individual product shots:
These are the most basic type of product photos that show a single item against a neutral background. They allow customers to see the product in detail and clearly understand what they are purchasing.
2. Group product shots:
These photos show multiple products together, which can be helpful for customers who are comparing different options or looking for complementary items.
3. Lifestyle product shots:
Lifestyle photos show the product being used in a real-life setting, which can help customers visualize how it would fit into their own lives.
4. Product scale shots:
These photos show the product next to a common object, such as a ruler or a coin, to give customers a sense of its size.
5. Detailed product shots:
Sometimes, products are too small or feature minor details for normal camera angles. Luckily, detailed product shots are here to save the day.
These photos zoom in on specific features of the product to show its quality and craftsmanship in detail.
6. Product packaging shots:
These photos show the product packaging, which can be helpful for customers who are looking for specific information, such as ingredients or instructions.
Using a combination of these different types of product photos can help sellers create a comprehensive and compelling product listing on Amazon, increasing the chances of attracting and converting potential customers.
Why Is Amazon Product Photography Important?
Amazon product photography is crucial for any business looking to sell products on the platform.
With so many products available, it’s essential to create listings that stand out and capture the attention of potential customers. High-quality product photos are one of the most effective ways to do this.
Here are some reasons why:
1. Catching the customer’s eye:
In the crowded marketplace of Amazon, professional product photography helps grab a potential customer’s attention and draw them in to view the product further.
2. Showcasing product features:
Good product photography can highlight the product’s features, helping customers understand how it works and what it looks like.
3. Building trust:
Quality product images can help establish customer trust by demonstrating the seller’s attention to detail and professionalism.
4. Setting expectations:
High-quality product photos that show the product from multiple angles can help customers better understand the product, reducing the likelihood of negative reviews and returns.
5. Increasing sales:
Compelling product photos can help increase the likelihood of customers making a purchase. This, in turn, can boost the seller’s ranking on the platform and drive further sales.
6. Differentiation:
Strong product photography can help differentiate a seller’s products from competitors, allowing them to stand out in a crowded marketplace.
Which Equipment Do You Need For Product Photography?
In the world of e-commerce, the quality of product photography can make or break a sale. To ensure that every product photograph is top-notch, it is highly recommended to hire a professional photographer.
If you have a limited budget, renting a studio and hiring a professional photographer to capture high-quality product photos for Amazon can be costly.
Fortunately, with the right equipment and some DIY know-how, you can set up a home photography studio and take professional-looking photos yourself.
The following instructions focus on using natural light for photography, but you can also use a lightbox to photograph smaller products.
Here’s a breakdown of the equipment you’ll need for successful product photography at home:
1. Choose A Perfect Camera
Almost everyone in today’s world owns a DSLR camera, which is an excellent option for DIY product photography.
When selecting a camera, it is best to purchase one from a reputable manufacturer that includes manual exposure settings and automatic features.
Fortunately, a lot of affordable DSLRs are available on Amazon that are well-suited for product photography.
If you cannot afford a DSLR camera, use a smartphone instead. However, it is recommended to avoid using the macro mode feature when taking product photos with your phone.
Instead, move your smartphone closer to the product to get a close-up view while maintaining the visual quality.
2. Use a Manageable Tripod
A tripod stabilizes your camera while capturing photos, preventing shaky shots and blurry images.
With a tripod, you can capture images of your products from various angles, ensuring better overall quality. It is a common tool used by professional photographers, and its use can make a noticeable difference in the quality of your product photos.
Comparing your product images captured with and without a tripod can highlight the benefits of using this equipment.
3. SD Card
When it comes to product photography, the SD memory card is an essential piece of equipment.
It not only stores all your photographs but also enables you to transfer them from your DSLR camera to your PC or laptop for further editing and safekeeping.
While DSLR cameras typically come with a memory card, it’s recommended to have a few extra cards readily available since they are relatively inexpensive.
4. White Background
In Amazon product photography, a white background is a must-have, and there are various backdrops available for this purpose.
However, we suggest opting for a flawless white paper roll due to its flat, smooth surface and ease of storage.
A 10 to 15-foot roll is recommended for small to medium-sized objects, which can be placed behind the product to achieve a seamless background.
It’s crucial to ensure that the roll has a diameter of around 50 inches to cover most of your products effectively.
5. White Color Foam Board
When it comes to product photography, using a white foam board can be extremely beneficial.
It helps reflect and enhance the available light, improving image quality. Consider purchasing white foam boards to effectively reflect light from windows onto your products.
Additionally, the board can help minimize product shadows and create extra light, resulting in a wider and brighter appearance.
6. Duct Tape and Clamps
The equipment mentioned above is crucial for Amazon product photography.
In addition to these, having duct tape and a few clamps can be extremely useful for securing the white background roll, whether it’s hanging on a wall or a table where your products will be displayed.
This ensures that the background remains fixed and prevents movement during photography. Using clamps can make the task more manageable and efficient.
How To Take Amazon Product Photography
Now that you have all the essential photography equipment, the next crucial step is to set them up correctly.
To ensure that everything is arranged appropriately, follow the steps in the order below:
- Position the foldable table close to the window.
- Unroll a sheet of plain white paper from underneath the table to achieve a smooth and uniform curve extending to the wall.
- Use the clamps or duct tape to attach the paper roll to the wall or on the table.
- Position the white foam board so that the natural sunlight from your window reflects directly on the product.
- Set the tripod to the appropriate height.
- Mount the camera on the tripod.
- In the end, start shooting product photographs and testing with numerous angles to identify what produces the best results.
Amazon Product Image Optimization
In addition to capturing high-quality photographs of your product, it’s essential to ensure they are also optimized.
Amazon’s algorithm considers both Click-Through Rates (CTR) and Conversion Rates (CR), meaning that your product’s position in organic search results will increase only if it is frequently clicked on and purchased by customers.
It’s important to note that simply having quality images isn’t enough to guarantee higher rankings, and this is where the concept of “Optimization” comes into play.
To optimize your product images, there are several factors to remember.
1. Use all the image space allotted for your listing
This is something everyone is doing and seems obvious. But there are a lot of listings that do not include many pictures of the product, and it is either 2 or 3.
This is an opportunity to improve conversions. The photo gallery can demonstrate your product’s worth or value to the shoppers.
Take advantage of the nine available image slots on Amazon and showcase your product from various angles, highlighting its details and intended use.
Amazon’s algorithm favors listings with a higher number of images, but make sure your main image is a clear front view without packaging to give customers an accurate representation of the product.
On the other hand, secondary images can showcase the product’s intended use and action shots. Don’t be afraid to use infographics; ensure they’re relevant to the product and of outstanding quality.
Maximizing your image gallery can improve your product’s appeal and increase the likelihood of a sale.
2. Keep the image quality high
We strongly emphasize the importance of maintaining high image quality as it boosts conversions and enables Amazon to zoom in on your product pictures.
Make sure that each image is visually appealing. Your main image should be placed against a white background and comprise 85% of the image frame.
For secondary photos, it’s permissible to include backgrounds and action shots demonstrating how to use the product.
3. Images must be 1000 x 1000 pixels minimum
By enabling zooming on your main image, you can provide people with more compelling reasons to explore your product.
We recommend using the .jpg file format, though you may also use .gif and .png. Additionally, digital graphics that resemble your product, such as 3D renderings with your label, are permissible.
After uploading your photos, be sure to preview them on your product listing page.
Amazon Product Photography Tips
Amazon product photography is an essential element of e-commerce, and great product photos can significantly influence a customer’s purchasing decision.
Amazon’s product photo guidelines are designed to ensure that customers can see the product clearly and accurately.
Here are some tips to help you take the best product photos for Amazon:
1. Begin with a Consistent Plan
You should also be consistent with your product photography.
If you take pictures of all of your products in the same location and with the same equipment, then it’s important that they look as similar as possible.
This will help customers identify which products are from which brand when they’re browsing through Amazon’s search results pages or scrolling through their feeds on social media platforms like Instagram or Pinterest.
2. The Magic of White Background
A white background is a secret to a consistent look across your product photos.
This will ensure that your product’s colors stand out, making it easier for customers to see what you’re selling.
3. Set the Right Lighting
You want to ensure the light comes from above, not behind the product. This will help you avoid shadows on your products and keep them as clear and crisp as possible.
If you’re using natural lighting, be sure to adjust the position of your product so that it doesn’t cast a shadow onto itself or another object nearby (like a table).
4. Keep the Image Resolution High
You’ll want to keep the image resolution high. This will help ensure your product photos look great on any device or screen, from smartphones to tablets to desktop computers.
You can set your image resolution at the time of upload by using the “Image Settings” option in the Amazon Seller Central dashboard.
5. Pay Attention to the Product Size
The size of the product is also important. If you’re selling a small item, make sure to shoot it on a white background and keep the lighting as natural as possible.
For larger products, such as furniture or appliances, use an off-white or grey background so that your product stands out against it.
6. Show Different Angles of the Product
You don’t have to show every angle of a product, but it’s important that you show enough angles so that readers can get a good sense of what they’re buying.
You also want to be sure not to only take photos from one side; instead, try taking pictures from different heights and distances to show off as much detail as possible.
If there are certain features about your product that are particularly important or unique, then be sure to include them in your images!
7. Use a Tripod or a Steady Surface
The use of a tripod or steady surface will prevent blurry or distorted images that could negatively affect the product’s appearance.
A tripod also ensures consistent framing and composition for all your product photos.
8. Avoid Placing Additional Items With the Products
One of the crucial aspects of online selling is ensuring transparency with your buyers.
Including additional items in your product photographs can confuse shoppers and lead to disappointment when they don’t receive the extra accessories they thought were included in the purchase.
To avoid any confusion, it’s important to only display what is included in the product listing and not showcase any items that won’t be delivered to the customer.
This helps establish trust with your customers and ensures they receive exactly what they paid.
How Does Photography Increases Conversion Rates?
In today’s world, visual information has become an integral part of our lives, with its significance evident at every stage of our daily routine.
The sheer volume of data available is staggering, with over 2 million searches per minute on Google alone.
To put things into perspective, it’s estimated that humans generate approximately 2.5 quintillion bytes of data daily, highlighting the immense growth of information in our era.
When it comes to humans, visual information is particularly effective since we tend to respond to it and process it more efficiently than other forms of data.
According to a study, it is intriguing that the human brain can process visual information a whopping 60,000 times faster than text.
Visuals are the primary means of communication to the human brain, accounting for around 90% of all information processed.
As a species, we are inherently wired to respond to visual stimuli, making it an excellent tool for businesses looking to convey their message effectively.
Online shoppers are primarily drawn to visual elements rather than written copy, with a product’s photo quality reflecting the brand image and making a significant first impression.
This presents a valuable opportunity for sellers, as each image must be polished, professional, and appealing enough to generate maximum engagement.
In fact, appropriate product photography can even lead to increased conversions. Curious how?
Here are a few key factors to consider.
Images Serve As A Key Element To Branding
Product photography is a powerful tool for reinforcing brand identity and creating a cohesive web presence.
Consistency in photographic style is crucial to establishing a distinct digital persona for your brand.
By leveraging high-quality product photography, businesses can effectively strengthen their branding efforts and establish a more prominent online presence.
High-Quality Images Can Attract People To Buy
Unviably, numerous product listings on Amazon utilize low-quality images, resulting in a reduced likelihood of generating sales compared to listings with high-quality visuals.
The key benefit of capturing exceptional product photographs is that they speak for themselves, eliminating the need for extensive written explanations.
FAQs
Conclusion
In conclusion, the product photography is a crucial aspect of creating successful product listings on Amazon.
By following the guidelines outlined in this ultimate guide, sellers can produce high-quality visuals that effectively showcase their products and increase their chances of generating sales.
Whether hiring a professional photographer or capturing their own images, sellers must prioritize visual appeal to stand out in the competitive Amazon marketplace.
With the right techniques and tools, anyone can improve Amazon product photography and create impactful listings that drive conversions.