Amazon Product Photography in 2022 - Full Rundown + New Game Changer to Explode Sales
As the old saying goes, “You only have one chance to make a good first impression”. This couldn’t hold more true with Amazon. You may have the best product, the most optimized tile, listing copy, PPC campaigns, and so on.. but the reality is, if your product images are not up to par, you're going to have a bad time. High quality, informative product photos shows an attention to detail and is a direct reflection on the product itself. Increase click through rates, advertising campaign performance, organic ranking, and overall conversions with the absolute best product images possible!
Customer Psychology
People are busy, and we as humans are visual creatures. Therefore product images play a massive role in drawing in potential customers.
How Customers Scan for Products
Shoppers will scroll through search results at a rate that is too fast to read, yet just fast enough to process images. They’ll subconsciously be on the lookout for images with aesthetic proportions, symmetry, color, clarity, information, organization, and so on. These characteristics catch the eye, and are the major factors determining if they’ll slow down to take a closer look. After the main image passes the initial test, they’ll then check the price, followed by title, and then star ratings/quantity. Assuming they’ve confirmed that everything is to their personal liking, only then they’ll click on your listing to learn more - ...and what's the first thing they're going to look at when inside? Yup, you guessed it, viewing your full photo collection.
Main Image vs. Listing Images
The main image is the one that's going to get the customer in the door, but the remaining product photos are the ones to really sell the product. Along the same lines as before, the shopper will analyze the full product photo collection first, before checking out the rest of the listing detail page. Believe it or not, a lot of buyers will ONLY look at the photos, price, and base review rating before deciding to purchase. The point I'm trying to make is that you must sell your product with your photo collection!
Photo Categories
Photos should express all relevant information in a way that keeps shoppers constantly engaged. To do so as easily and efficiently as possible, each individual photo should be structured in at least 1 of 4 ways.
White Background | Feature Infographics | Comparison Charts | Lifestyle Photos
White Background
Theres a reason why all major tech companies showcase their products on a white background. Its clean, neat, and non distracting.
Feature Infographics
Clearly shows the product features. Can be zoom ins, descriptive labels, actors using the product, etc.)
Comparison Charts
Simple visual representation comparing and contrasting your product to the competitors.
Lifestyle Photos
Showcase your product being used by actors, or displayed in its natural setting.
The Visual Product Pitch
Every selling point for your product should not only be included inside your listing detail page, but also fully outlined in your photo collection. You want to be able to tell your products full story though visuals alone.
Overview
What are you selling on a base level? Show your product from a position and angle that is most representative of its use and purpose.
Functionality Summary
How does your product work and what is its main purpose? Show it being used in real life by either a model, displayed in its natural setting, or labeled with basic instructions. Give an opportunity tor them to imagine themselves using the product.
Main Features
Highlight of all its features. Display any mechanism of action and visually inform the customer the solution your product is offering to them.
Angles
If you’re selling a product where multiple angles are needed to get a full understanding, be sure to display it in each relevant perspective.
Competitor Comparison
Show how your product is an improvement from the existing competitors. How much more value are you adding compared to whats already offered? This is important to convince shoppers to purchase your product over a highly reviewed one.
Suggestions & Solutions
Show that you listened to their suggestions/requests & provided solutions. Show these changes clearly, and inform them via dedicated images and text labels.
Value
Show how much extra value you’ve added to your product. All in one photo, visually represent how much more they're getting with your product. Highlight and describe things like bundled accessories, ebooks, etc.
Scale
Include both size and dimensions of your product/packaging to not mislead customers. Show the product being used in order to determine scale (ex: size of the product in someone's hand)
Packaging and/or Logo
If you have custom packaging, show it off. Also feature your logo in at least one photo to protect your intellectual property and deter listing hijackers.
Requirements & Restrictions
Amazon has a series of listing photo requirements & restrictions outlined in their terms of service.
All Photos Must Comply with the Following:
Content is representative of the product being sold.
Quality is clear & crisp with a high resolution.
Product should fill 85% of the image canvas.
Canvas dimension minimum of 500px
File types should be jpeg (preferred), tiff, png, gif
No nudity or lewdness
No Amazon logos or intellectual property
No fake prime badges, best seller tags, etc.
No 3rd party intellectual property.
Main Images Must Additionally Include the Following:
Product must be on a pure white background
Only the product and whats included should be shown
No props, models, or lifestyle components
No added text, logos, borders, watermarks, or graphics
The full product must be shown (not cropped or cut off)
Best Practices
From simple hacks to the absolute essentials, here are a few tips and guidelines for optimal listing photos
Photo Quantity
You should have a minimum of 7 photos total on your listing and should include all 4 types listed above. Ideally 2 or more lifestyle and infographics.
Resolution Quality
Your photos should have the absolute highest resolution possible and shouldn't be in any way blurry or disorganized. Especially important for Amazons image zoom effect.
Canvas Size
Should be an even 1:1 ratio (i.e 1000x1000px, 1500x1500px, etc.) at minimum 1600px (for zoom effect).
Product Framing
The product should fill up all available space in the canvas. If the cavas is 1000x1000px then the product in the image should be as close to 1000x1000px as possible.
Image SEO
Save your file names for each photo as your top keywords for SEO purposes: i.e main image - yogamat.jpg, image 2 - large yoga mat.jpg, etc.
Photo Outline
The following is an outline of an A+ product photo collection with examples. Note: of 9 total examples one or two may not be relevant for your specific product
Image #1
Overview (White Background)
Image #2
Main Use Display (Lifestyle)
Image #3
Best Feature Highlight (Lifestyle or Infographic)
Image #4
All Features (Infographic)
Image #5
Competitor Comparison (Chart)
Image #6
Bundle Overview (Infographic)
Image #7
Scale (Lifestyle)
Image #8
Packaging & Logo (White BG)
Image #9
Dimensions (Infographics)
Traditional vs. 3D Modeling
Theres a whole new way to approach product photography and its tough to pass up.
Ive relied on traditional photographers in the past and have had my share of poor experiences. I'd send a product to them, wait ages for the photos to be taken, pay loads for actors and lifestyle shots, pay for countless reshoots... I was desperate to find a better solution. After asking around, I was recommended to try 3D product modeling. Meaning your product is digitally recreated without the need for traditional photography. There was finally a solution to all the painful headaches I've suffered through in the past. 3D product modeling has been a way to take my photos to the next level. The quality, ease of access, and the customization possibilities are an absolute game changer. Seeing first hand my conversions skyrocket since making the change, I cant ever imagine myself going back to traditional photography.
Fully Digital
Everything is digitally created, so no need to send a physical sample to be photographed. No dealing with shipping time, sample costs, transit damages, etc.
Immaculate Quality
Digital models will always be in the absolute highest resolution. Never having to rely on camera quality and image degeneration.
Presentation Possibilities
Can be easily placed in any particular orientation from every angle including interactive 360 degree turntable images (off amazon).
Ease of Modification
Images are easily and affordably modified to your liking without the need for reshoots. Products can be easily displayed/changed to fit any scenario or setting.
Digital Asset
You'll have a universal base asset available where you can have additional photos created in the future. Additional listing images, enhanced brand content, or off amazon advertising creatives, etc.
Animations
3D models can be used to easily create animations showing features in motion. Catch the eye of the shopper and better describe features and uses.
Choosing a Photographer
Professional photography can be quite pricey and trusting someone to do such an important task is a risk in and of itself.
Shortcuts can be Problematic
Don't make my mistake at the beginning trying to do it myself to save some cash. I had a phone camera, bad lighting, no photoshop skills, no lifestyle actors. It was a nightmare, and it really showed in my product's performance. Sometimes it's best to spend a little extra money and leave it to the professionals for something that is so important.
Searching Criteria
Choosing the wrong person for the job can lead to one hell of a headache. So you want to make sure you’re hiring someone that specializes in not only product photography but specifically Amazon product photography. That way they already have all the knowledge necessary to showcase your product on the Amazon platform in the most optimal way possible. You also want to take a close look at their portfolio to check the quality of their work. Testimonials and reviews are always a plus as well.
Finding a Winner
When I was in the market for a 3D modeling artist, i was originally referred by a few different sellers to a company called Rogalev 3D. They specialize in Amazon product photography, and have all the insider knowledge and experience to maximize your conversions. I’ve been using them for some time now, and i'm incredibly happy with the results. The price is right, the turnaround is quick, and quality is unbeatable, so I wanted to share them with my readers. Check them out to get a free quote today (ask about the exclusive FBA Nomad pricing package).
Final Thoughts
Product photos can be directly responsible for your product thriving or dying. Bad photography makes everything appear low quality and cheap. Poor, uninformative and misleading images will have a direct effect on click through rates and conversions, and organic ranking. That's why its so important to have your photos be a reflection of your superior product. Set yourself up to win at all costs and outshine the competition with the absolute best product images possible!
Thank you for reading, and be sure to reach out with any questions or blog requests.
Kevin - The FBA Nomad, 2022
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