Amazon Photography Requirements: A Complete Guide to Creating Stunning Product Images in 2024

What makes customers click on one product over thousands of others on Amazon? It’s the images. In fact, 63% of online shoppers say product photos are more important than product descriptions.

With images playing such an important role, it’s important to get them right. Meeting Amazon Photography Requirements isn’t just about compliance—it’s about creating visuals that captivate, inform, and convert. Stunning product photos help your listing stand out, increase click-through rates, and drive more sales.

This complete guide covers everything from Amazon’s specific image rules to actionable tips for improving your product photos. Whether you’re a new seller or a seasoned pro, mastering image optimization can elevate your brand and boost your sales on Amazon

Overview of Amazon Photography Requirements

Amazon has a long list of requirements for all product images. While there is some grey area, it is important to understand that Amazon states that they may suppress or remove images that do not meet Amazon photography requirements.

Below is a breakdown of both general image requirements and main image guidelines. Amazon’s full article is available here.

Amazon Photography Requirements: All Images

• Each product must include at least one image, with Amazon recommending six images and one video per product.
• Images should measure between 500 and 10,000 pixels on the longest side, with over 1,000 pixels preferred for zoom functionality.
• The recommended file format is JPEG (.jpg or .jpeg), but TIFF (.tif), PNG (.png), and non-animated GIF (.gif) are also acceptable.
• Images must be clear and free of pixelation or jagged edges to ensure professional quality.
• Accurately represent the product being sold.
• Match the product image to its title.
• Avoid nudity or sexually suggestive visuals, including both models and drawings.
• Display children’s clothing flat without using a model.
• Exclude images of customer reviews, five-star ratings, or promotional claims like “free shipping.”
• Avoid text or pricing details in non-swatch images.
• Do not include Amazon logos, trademarks, or similar variations (e.g., “Amazon,” “Prime,” “Alexa,” or Amazon Smile).
• Exclude badges or labels resembling Amazon’s, such as “Amazon’s Choice,” “Best Seller,” or “Top Seller.”

Amazon has several additional requirements for main product images. These images appear first on product detail pages and in search results, serving as a customer’s initial impression of your product.

Amazon Photography Requirements: Main Image

• Display the Product Accurately: Show the actual product with realistic, professional-quality images that match its color, quantity, and details.
• Use a White Background: Ensure a pure white (RGB 255, 255, 255) background to create a clean, consistent shopping experience.
• Frame the Product Fully: Include the entire product in the frame without cutting off any part.
• Avoid Placeholders: Do not use temporary or generic placeholders. The first image defines the product’s identity and must meet compliance standards.
• Show Only the Product: Avoid using unrelated accessories or props that could confuse customers about what’s included.
• Focus on a Single Unit: Display only one product per image unless it’s a multipack or assortment, which requires category-specific guidelines.
• Highlight the Product: Ensure the product fills at least 85% of the image frame.
• Avoid Graphics or Text: No text, logos, watermarks, borders, or color blocks should appear over the product or in the background.
• Packaging Restrictions: Do not show packaging unless it is a key feature, such as a carrying case or gift basket.
• Clothing and Footwear:
  • Show clothing on standing models only (adult sizes) or flat if accessories/multipacks.
  • Models should represent diverse abilities when possible (e.g., wheelchairs, prosthetics).
  • For shoes, display a single shoe at a 45-degree angle facing left.
  • Avoid showing mannequins, even if they’re clear, flesh-toned, or framework designs.
  • For a complete list of clothing-specific requirements please click here.

8 Ways to Improve Your Amazon Product Photos

Product images play a crucial role in listing optimization. If done correctly good product images can increase your clicks, conversions, and even lower returns. This section dives into nine actionable tips to elevate your product photography, ensuring your listings grab attention and convert browsers into buyers.

1. Use a Variety of Image Types

Your product images should be able to sell your product on their own. For as much work as you put into your bullets and A+ content, the reality is many buyers won’t even glance at these sections.

For this reason, it’s important to include a variety of different image types. Some of these include:

• Infographics: Infographics combine text and images to display useful information to potential customers. This style of image is great for showing off benefits and addressing objections. We strongly recommend including infographics with any product listing
• Lifestyle Photos: These are images that show how your product will be used in real life. If you’re selling a yoga mat include images of someone doing yoga with it, if you sell a dog bed include images of it being slept in. These images are critical and we recommend including at least two with your listing.
• Tech Spec: Depending on your product, this is often a 3D render that shows the insides of your product. A great way to show off different materials and components for more sophisticated products
• Us vs Them: These are often split-screen style images that compare your product with your competitors. It’s a great way to show off unique features that separate your product from the competition
• Before & After: Similar to “Us vs Them” images, these photos show a split screen of the conditions before and after using your product. Great for organizational or cleaning products.

2. Include Text

Including text on your additional product images is a powerful way to communicate essential details quickly and visually.

By highlighting key features, benefits, or instructions directly on the image, you provide shoppers with valuable information without requiring them to read through the product description or bullets.

Well-placed text can also draw attention to unique selling points, such as dimensions, materials, or bonus items, ensuring your product stands out. Just make sure the text is clear, professional, and enhances rather than clutters the image.

3. Highlight Benefits Over Features

A benefit is how a product directly improves a customer’s life or solves their problem. Put another way, a benefit answers the question, what does this product do for me? Topics like ease of use, time-saving, and comfort often fall into the benefit category.

Features, on the other hand, describe what the product does. They describe the specific attributes a product has. “100% stainless steel”, “10-hour battery life”, and “wireless” are all product features.

When choosing your product images prioritize the most important benefits first. Whatever benefit is the most important to your target market should be shown first, followed by the second, then third, etc. If you’re not sure what benefits are the most important check reviews of similar products to find common trends. Alternatively, tools like Helium 10’s Review Insights or ZonGurus Love-Hate are great for analyzing thousands of reviews to find these valuable insights.

4. Optimize For Mobile

Mobile users often make quick decisions based on visuals, meaning images that aren’t clear or properly formatted can cost you sales. Meeting Amazon photography requirements while focusing on mobile usability ensures your product stands out, even on smaller screens.

Here are a few tips to ensure your product images are optimized for mobile shoppers.

1. Simplify Your Visuals
   Keep your images clean and focused, showing only the product and any essential elements. Avoid overcrowding the image with excessive text or graphics, as these can appear cramped on smaller screens.
2. Use High-Quality Zoomable Images
   Ensure your images meet the minimum size requirement of 1,000 pixels on the longest side to enable Amazon’s zoom feature. This allows mobile users to view your product in greater detail.
3. Prioritize Clear and Readable Text
   If you add text to your images, use a large, bold font to ensure readability on mobile devices. Avoid overly decorative fonts that may become illegible when scaled down.

5. Address Sticking Points

Objections or sticking points are potential concerns or hesitations buyers have before making a purchase. These can be anything from uncertainty about size to doubts about product quality, or lack of clarity on how to use your product.

Just as your product images can highlight the benefits of your product, they can also be used to overcome objections. By addressing common sticking points visually, you can quickly overcome objections and increase conversions.

Clear, detailed images aligned with Amazon photography requirements can explain features that might otherwise require lengthy text descriptions.

For example, use close-ups to highlight material quality, stitching, or unique design elements. Include images that demonstrate the product in use, showcasing its size, durability, or versatility. If assembly is required, consider an additional image that provides a simple visual guide. For products with multiple parts or accessories, clearly show everything included in the purchase to eliminate confusion.

6. Use A Size Reference Image

Including a size reference image in your Amazon product photos is essential for setting clear customer expectations. When shoppers browse online, they can’t physically handle or measure products, making it difficult to judge dimensions accurately. A size reference image provides visual context by comparing the product to a familiar object, like a hand, coin, or common household item.

A size reference image reduces returns and negative feedback caused by products appearing larger or smaller than expected. For example, showing a water bottle beside a smartphone immediately gives the customer a sense of scale without a detailed description.

7. Split Test Your Main Product Image

Your main product image is, along with your title, the most important part of your listing. It has a huge impact on your click-through rate and in many ways acts as a “first impression” to potential customers. For these reasons, we recommend testing several versions of your main image.

One way to do this is using Amazon Experiments. This tool, available to sellers with a Professional Seller Account and Brand Registry enrollment, lets you present different versions of your product listing to distinct customer groups. It’s a free method to split-test different sections of your product listing.

A second option is to use a third-party service. Tools like PickFu, ProductPinion, and Intellivy can help you perform split tests with real people in a fraction of the time it takes to run an Amazon experiment. Although they are paid services these tools are invaluable for gaining insights on how potential customers view your listing.

8. Speak Directly To Your Target Audience

Your product images should speak directly to your ideal customer by reflecting their needs, preferences, and lifestyle.

One powerful way to do this is by including models that align with the demographics of your target market. For example, if your product is aimed at young parents, featuring families in everyday scenarios can make the images relatable and build trust.

Tailoring your visuals to your audience helps them imagine themselves using your product, which can lead to increased engagement and conversions. The tone, colors, and settings of your images should also resonate with your target customer, ensuring a cohesive message across your listing.

9. Hire a Professional Photographer

While it may seem tempting to take your own product photos and save some money, it’s often not the best choice for serious Amazon sellers. High-quality images are one of the most influential factors in driving clicks and conversions on your product page.

Professional product photographers know how to stage, light, and edit images to make your product look its best. They can also help you highlight unique features, address common customer concerns visually, and create consistency across your images.

Make sure to provide a detailed list of the type of images you want along with Amazon’s photography requirements.

Investing in professional photography can pay off in the long run through increased sales and higher conversion rates.

Common Product Image Mistakes to Avoid

Based on my experience looking at thousands of Amazon listings there are a few common mistakes I see time and time again when it comes to product images. Some of these are:

• Low-Quality or Blurry Images: Make sure your images meet Amazon’s photography requirements of at least 500px on the longest side. We recommend product images of 2,000 x 2,000 pixels for best results.
• Over-Editing Images: Over-edited images can look cheap, fake, and unrealistic. Try to use real photos when possible and if you need to Photoshop something, hire a professional with experience in product image editing.
• Not Including the Maximum Number of Images: There is no reason not to include the maximum of 9 images (and a video) that Amazon allows.
• No Differentiation Between Images: Use a variety of lifestyle, infographic, technical specification, and before and after images to showcase all your product has to offer

Creating product images that meet Amazon photography requirements is a crucial step toward building a successful Amazon listing. Images are often the first impression shoppers have of your product, and following Amazon’s guidelines ensures your photos are not only compliant but also optimized for visibility and sales.

By applying the nine tips covered in this guide, you can elevate your product photography to better connect with your target audience, address potential buyer concerns, and stand out in a competitive marketplace. Whether you’re new to Amazon or an experienced seller, understanding and implementing Amazon photography requirements is a smart investment that pays off in higher click-through rates, stronger customer trust, and increased sales.