The Product Photography Checklist Every Seller Needs
Whether you are a first-time Etsy seller or a multi-platform e-commerce brand, consistent product photography is essential for sales. This checklist covers everything from equipment and lighting to post-processing and marketplace compliance. Print it out, bookmark it, and use it for every product shoot. The difference between amateur and professional-looking product photos is not expensive equipment — it is following a systematic process.
Equipment Checklist
Camera: Any smartphone from 2022 or later (iPhone 13+, Samsung Galaxy S22+, Google Pixel 6+). These all produce images exceeding marketplace requirements. Tripod: A $10-20 phone tripod eliminates camera shake and ensures consistent angles. Lighting: A large window with indirect sunlight is free and produces excellent results. Optional: two daylight-balanced desk lamps. Background: White foam board ($5), white fabric, or a simple sweep. Reflector: A second piece of white foam board to fill shadows. Total cost: $15-35 if starting from scratch. You do not need a DSLR, studio strobes, or a dedicated studio.
Lighting Checklist
Position your product near the largest window available. Use indirect light — direct sunlight creates harsh shadows. Overcast days provide the most even illumination. Place a white reflector opposite the window to fill in shadows. Avoid mixed lighting (window light plus overhead fluorescent). Turn off any ceiling lights that might create color casts. For consistency, shoot at the same time of day using the same window. If you need artificial light, use two identical daylight-balanced bulbs (5500K) at 45-degree angles.
Shooting Checklist
Set phone to highest resolution mode. Turn off digital zoom (zoom with your feet instead). Lock focus and exposure by tapping on the product. Hold steady or use a tripod. Fill the frame — product should occupy 80-90% of the image. Shoot from multiple angles: front, back, both sides, 45-degree angle, top-down, and detail close-ups. Take 5-10 shots per angle and pick the sharpest. Clean the product before shooting — dust and fingerprints are magnified in product photos.
Post-Processing Checklist
Remove backgrounds using AI for a clean white background (required for Amazon, Walmart). Resize to 2000x2000 pixels (square) for universal compatibility. Compress to under 500KB while maintaining visual quality. Verify correct file format (JPEG for photographs, PNG for transparency). Remove EXIF metadata for privacy (strips GPS location data). Add subtle contrast and saturation boost if images look flat. Maintain consistent editing across all products in your catalog.
Marketplace Compliance Checklist
Before uploading to any marketplace, verify: Resolution meets platform minimum (1000px for Amazon, 500px for eBay, 2000px for Etsy). Background meets requirements (white for Amazon/Walmart, flexible for Etsy/Depop). No text overlays, watermarks, or promotional graphics on the main image. Product fills the required percentage of the frame (85% for Amazon). File format is accepted (JPEG/PNG universally, check for platform-specific restrictions). File size is under the limit (10MB for Amazon/Walmart, 12MB for eBay). Use IsoPeel to verify all of these automatically in one step.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Using flash instead of natural or continuous lighting. Shooting on a cluttered or colored background when white is required. Not cleaning the product before photographing. Inconsistent angles and styling across your product catalog. Over-editing with heavy filters or saturation. Forgetting to check compliance before uploading (leading to rejected listings). Not using all available image slots on each platform. Uploading low-resolution images that cannot support zoom functionality.