Originally published: April 25, 2021
With Amazon Australia soon to open it’s massive warehouse on the outskirts of Melbourne, more of my clients are preparing to use the online giant to sell their products and need to know more about the product photography side of things.
According to the Amazon website, you need to provide one “MAIN” product image (not a graphic or illustration) and up to eight alternative image views for your product listings. The MAIN image is important as it represents your product in search results and on browse pages. This is the first image customers see on the item’s detail page so it needs to be attractively presented, easy to understand and of high quality. It is the reason Amazon themselves ask for professionally lit and photographed images which are in focus and colour balanced.
‘MAIN’ product images by Andrea Russell for sale on Amazon
Because Amazon servers do not accept images not formatted to their specifications and because they will remove images not in line to their image standards, it is very important to plan your photoshoot and obtain the correct files from your commercial photographer.
Below are listed other important specifications for the MAIN image:
Pure white background is required; RGB values being 255, 255, 255.
JPEG (.jpg) files are preferred but TIFF (.tif) or GIF (.gif) file formats are accepted.
Images need to be in sRGB or CMYK colour mode.
As the zoom function on the website has proven to enhance sales, Amazon prefers image pixel dimensions of at least 1000 or larger in either height or width.
The product must fill at least 85% of the image, meaning it is fully in frame.
MAIN image must not show excluded accessories, confusing props, logos, watermarks or text that is not part of the product.
Any product, including jewellery, needs to be shot on its own, without use of any props like cases, boxes or display necks. It also cannot be wrapped in cellophane or be shot inside plastic bags.
Additional product angle images by Andrea Russell
In order to boost your sales, you can provide up to eight additional images to accompany the MAIN image. It is not required, but Amazon still recommends using a plain white background.
A few of these additional images should show the product from different sides. Some can be close-up images that detail parts not seen in the MAIN image. Using text and demonstrative graphic is allowed to help explain how image is used. Other objects are also allowed to help demonstrate the scale of the product. Artistically styled images featuring backgrounds, props and accessories can be used but must not be presented in a way that could cause customer confusion. Logos and watermarks are not allowed.
Lastly, but very importantly, all sellers on Amazon must have the necessary rights to the images uploaded to Amazon website.
In terms and conditions listed on any Andrea Russell Photography quote and invoice, it is specified that the rights to image use are licensed to a particular client or business. I give exclusive license of images to my clients but always retain the copyright of my work. It means that my clients can use the images as they please but can not sell them to a third party, as I can not. I can however, use the images to promote my own Andrea Russell Photography business.
Amazon is a world known retail brand that has changed the way people shop internationally. It already offers its massive online presence to any small or large business. It’s move to Australia however, will please any retailer wishing to leave their domestic retail logistics in Amazon’s experienced hands.
Please feel free to contact Andrea with any questions about photographing your products for online sales; info@andrearussell.com.au or 0403 549 595.
Additional product demonstrative images by Andrea Russell
See these products on sale at Amazon.com by following the links below.
A few additional tips for my clients:
In order to save time spent with the photographer, make sure your product is ready for the shoot when you arrive. This means, clothes are clean and ironed / pressed, tags are removed, jewellery and glassware is polished, bags are stuffed so they look full, and straps are supported with hidden wires.
Think about how positioning your product in an image will appear more value adding. For example, filling up the image with product by spreading out its components gives it an appearance of having more value than showing only its box. Bring ‘inspiration’ images that show different angles and looks of product you like.
Have a shot list ready so no images are missed on the day.