According to recent reports, Amazon has approximately 6.3 million sellers, making it crucial for sellers to have a strategic approach to branding. High-quality product images are an essential component of a successful Amazon listing. The product images serve as the first point of contact with potential customers and can be the deciding factor in whether or not a customer clicks on the "Buy" button. 

Despite the importance of product images, many customers do not spend much time reading product descriptions, titles, or other information. Therefore, optimizing your product images is critical to maximizing your sales. In this article, we will discuss the five secret ways to showcase your product's value to customers and increase the likelihood of clicks.

Amazon image requirements

To sell your products on Amazon, it's crucial to have high-quality product photography. Good product photos not only help shoppers make informed buying decisions but also play a significant role in how your product ranks on Amazon's search algorithm.

Before we dive into hidden strategies for Amazon product photography, it's important to optimize your product photos by following Amazon's basic guidelines. This ensures that your images meet Amazon's standards and are approved for use on the platform. Here are the essential image requirements set by Amazon:

General image requirements:

• Accurately represent the product and show only the product for sale
• Fill 85% of the image frame to make it easily recognizable for Amazon buyers
• Be between 1600 and 10,000 pixels on the longest side, with a minimum of 1600 pixels. This is important for enabling the zoom function.
• Be in JPEG, TIFF, or GIF (animated GIFs are not allowed) formats. JPEG is the preferred file type for Amazon.
• Have no jagged edges or low-quality issues, such as pixelation or blurriness.
• Not contain adult content, including nudity or anything sexually suggestive.
• Not include freestanding products like underwear, swimwear, or skin-tight clothing.
• Not include child models in any situation.
• Not have any references to Amazon, its trademarks, or variations, such as Prime or Alexa.
• Not include any Amazon badges, such as Amazon's Choice or Works with Amazon Alexa.
• Clearly show the product with all its features.
• Match the product title.

Requirements for the primary image:

• Have a pure white background (RGB color values of 255, 255, 255), which blends in with the Amazon search and product detail pages.
• Be professional photographs of the actual product and not graphics, illustrations, mockups, or placeholders.
• Not show excluded accessories, props that might confuse the customer, text that is not part of the product, or logos, watermarks, or inset images.
• For shoes, show a single shoe facing left at a 45-degree angle.
• Show only one perspective of the product in the main image.
• For clothing, be photographed flat and not include any part of a mannequin.
• For women's and men's clothing, be photographed on a model.
• For kids' clothing, be photographed off-model.

Common best practices for Amazon product photos

Now that we've covered the Amazon guidelines, let's talk about some of the basic best practices for Amazon product photos that will ensure that your products stand apart from the competitors.

Use a white background

There’s a reason why most online marketplaces suggest using a white background in product images. Using a white background in your Amazon product images creates a clean and professional look, minimizing unwanted distractions. It helps your products stand out while offering a neutral background. A white background also helps eliminate shadows and harsh angles.

Be consistent with your product imagery

Consistency in your product images helps establish a strong brand identity and ensures that your products are easily recognizable. This can be achieved by using similar lighting, angles, and background for all your product images. 

Additionally, using the same style of editing and retouching for all your images will create a cohesive look and feel throughout your product listings. This can help increase customer trust, leading to a higher conversion rate.

Get the lighting right

Using the right lighting is crucial for creating high-quality product images on Amazon. Proper lighting can bring out the best features of a product and make it look more attractive to potential customers.

The best lighting for product photography is a soft, diffused light that can be achieved by using natural light, shooting in a well-lit room, or using artificial lighting with umbrellas/reflectors or a DIY lightbox. Pay attention to color accuracy and color temperature for a true-to-life representation of the product. Experiment to find the best lighting for your products.

Use high-resolution images

When taking product photos, make sure to use a high-resolution camera and lens to ensure the images are crisp and clear. Avoid using blurry or low-quality images, as they will not effectively showcase your product.

Use the available image space

Make sure to take advantage of all the image space that Amazon offers. This includes uploading a full set of 7 images that give potential buyers as much information as possible. 

To do so, you can show off your products from multiple angles, share lifestyle images to help customers picture themselves using the product, showcase products in appropriate indoor or outdoor settings, add infographics, or even add videos to offer additional information.

Add unique lifestyle images

Add unique lifestyle images to show customers how your product is relevant to their interests. Lifestyle images can be an effective tool for increasing conversions and standing out from the competition on Amazon. These images show the product in use in a real-life setting, helping customers visualize how it will fit into their own lives. 

This can make it easier for them to imagine themselves using the product and can increase the likelihood of them making a purchase. If you want to target a particular type of customer then include that person in your lifestyle images. 

Additionally, lifestyle images provide context for the product and give customers a better idea of what it is and how it can be used. 

Use infographics to highlight relevant information

Using infographics in your Amazon listings can be a great way to provide customers with additional information about your product in a clear and concise manner. Infographics make it easy for customers to understand key features and benefits and can increase conversions. 

They can also be used to highlight unique features and benefits, making your product more attractive to potential customers. Additionally, infographics can be used to showcase important specifications such as sizing and dimensions, list materials used in creating the product, display ingredients (for food products), and create comparison charts.

Impress customers with stunning 3D images

Incorporating 3D-rendered images into your Amazon product listings can be a powerful way to capture the attention of potential customers and set your products apart from the competition.

3D images are computer-generated images that can be used to create highly detailed, realistic representations of your products. They can be used to showcase your products from multiple angles, highlight specific features, and even create interactive experiences. Using these images can help you create a more engaging and immersive experience for your customers.

Use a tripod to get steady images

Using a tripod when taking product photos can help ensure that the images are steady and free from blur. A tripod will keep the camera stable and prevent any unwanted movement or shaking that can cause the images to be blurry. This is particularly important when taking photos in low-light conditions or with a long exposure time. 

Additionally, using a tripod allows you to keep the camera at the same height and angle, creating a consistent look throughout your product images. This can help improve the overall visual appeal of your product listing.

Showcase different angles

When taking photos, make sure to click images from different angles, including front, back, top, bottom, and sides. Showing your product from multiple angles can help potential customers get a better understanding of the product and its features. It can help customers see the product from all sides, including details that may be missed in a single image, helping them make an informed decision before purchasing.

5 little-known strategies for Amazon product photos

Now that we’ve covered the basic guidelines as well as some of the popular best practices for Amazon product photos, it’s time to finally look at 5 little-known strategies that can take your Amazon product photos to the next level.

1. Use the zoom lens for close-up shots

One lesser-known strategy for Amazon product photography is to use a zoom lens to capture close-up shots of specific details on the product. This can be especially useful for products that have intricate designs or unique features that may not be easily visible in a standard full-body shot. They can also be used to showcase the quality and craftsmanship of a product, which can be especially important for high-end or luxury items.

Additionally, you can use these close-up shots as secondary images in your listing to give customers a more detailed look. This can be a powerful tool to build trust and credibility with your customers.

When using a zoom lens to capture close-up shots, it is important to pay attention to the aperture setting. A wide aperture (low f-stop number) will create a shallow depth of field, which can help isolate the product and make it stand out against the background. Moreover, using a tripod or stabilizer can help to prevent camera shake and ensure sharp, clear images.

Another thing to consider when taking close-up shots is the lighting. A reflector or diffused light can be used to create soft, even lighting that will highlight the details of the product without creating harsh shadows.

2. Use a lightbox to get consistent lighting

A photo lightbox (also called a light tent) is an empty box with translucent white sides and a smooth backdrop. When you place your product inside it and take a picture, you get a professional-looking photo with good lighting, no shadows, no reflections, and a plain background. 

Using a lightbox to click your product photos is another lesser-known strategy that you can use to create a consistent lighting setup. Additionally, using a lightbox or tent can help to create a neutral background for your photos, making it easier to edit them in post-processing.

3. Use a reflective surface to add depth

Another little-known strategy for Amazon product photography is utilizing a reflective surface, such as a glossy table or mirror, to add depth and dimension to your images. 

This technique is especially useful for products that have a shiny or reflective surface, like jewelry or metallic objects. The reflective effect can help enhance the visual appeal of your product and make it stand out. It also gives your product a sense of luxury and high quality, which can in turn drive conversions.

4. Consider photo cropping while positioning your product

When you are taking pictures for your Amazon listing, focus on product positioning. Keep photo cropping in mind while planning shots.

Even with proper photo sizing, you'll need to crop your photos to some extent to fit the square photo frame in the Amazon listing. So, it's better to plan ahead and click photos such that cropping doesn’t affect the overall quality of the images.

Ensure that your photos look their best by positioning your products in a way that makes the most of the frame. This means avoiding crowding your products and utilizing the space in a way that makes the most of the photo, without the need for added padding. This will result in clean, crisp images that will help attract and retain customers.

5. Use the automatic tools offered by Amazon

Amazon, through Seller Central, offers several tools that are meant to make product listing easier for sellers. But at times, many online sellers are not aware of the automatic tools that Seller Central has. This causes issues with the image quality of the final product photos.

For example, once you upload photos, Seller Central automatically compresses and processes the photos. While it is convenient, it can damage the quality of photos that have already been compressed. So, instead of wasting time on compressing photos, let Amazon take care of it.

Moreover, don't add Amazon's multi-pack logo to your images via photo editing software. Amazon will add it automatically when you update your listing's package quantity.

Wrapping up

We hope this article has been helpful in guiding you towards creating high-quality product images that stand out on the Amazon marketplace.

By following Amazon's guidelines and incorporating best practices such as using a white background, being consistent with your product imagery, getting the lighting right, using high-resolution images, and using all available image space, you can ensure that your products are presented in the best possible light.

Remember, product photos are a critical aspect of your online sales strategy. Not only do they showcase your products in the most appealing way possible, but they also establish your brand identity and build trust with potential customers.

As technology continues to evolve, the importance of high-quality product images will only continue to grow. By consistently improving your product photography, you can ensure that your products stay ahead of the competition and stand out in new and emerging marketplaces.