How Quality Product Photos Boost Amazon Sales for Emerging CPG Brands
If you’re a new CPG food or beverage brand selling on Amazon, I have some good news and bad news.
Bad news first: Amazon is crowded. Like, summer farmers market crammed into Black Friday at Target—your product sits among hundreds, if not thousands, of choices.
Now the good news: Most of those products have meh photos. And that’s your golden opportunity.
Here’s what I’ve learned: on Amazon, your product photos are your taste test. They have to work harder than your name, your ingredient list, or even your five-star reviews. Those images are your first impression and your chance to make someone stop scrolling. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve skipped over a product that was probably amazing, just because the photos looked like a science fair project gone wrong. Let’s dig into why those first impressions matter so much on Amazon.
First Impressions Are Everything (Especially on Amazon)
When shoppers browse Amazon, your food images are often the very first—and sometimes only—thing they see before deciding whether to click on your listing.
I’ve seen it firsthand with brands I’ve worked with—the product is delicious, but the photos look like they were snapped in a dark kitchen with last night’s dishes still in the sink. Amazon shoppers move fast. If your product photos are poorly lit, you’re basically telling people to keep scrolling. But when your shots are clean, bright, and professional, that’s your handshake, your elevator pitch, and your packaging all in one.
Why Professional Product Photos Win?
Amazon’s algorithm is all about engagement. The more clicks you get, the more Amazon puts you in front of shoppers. And nothing grabs that click like a photo that pops. When I’m behind the camera for a CPG brand, here’s what I’m aiming for:
More Clicks – Stand out in a sea of beige thumbnails.
More Conversions – Build instant trust with professional, accurate shots.
Fewer Returns – Set the right expectations so customers are happy from click to delivery.
Think of your Amazon listing like a dating profile. Good photos get you a swipe, but great ones get you a real connection. Here’s how I help brands make every photo slot count.
Don’t Just Show the Product—Show the Experience
Amazon gives you room for multiple photos, so don’t waste it. Don’t just toss up a shot of the front of the package and call it done. When I’m shooting for a client, I’m building a whole vibe:
Lifestyle Shots – Show your product in action (like a cold brew being poured over ice).
Ingredient Close-Ups – Zoom in on texture, color, and freshness.
Serving Suggestions – Spark their imagination (and appetite).
Behind-the-Scenes Moments – A peek at the process makes you more human and relatable.
Nobody remembers just another can on a shelf. They remember the drink that made them wish they were on a beach somewhere or feeling like they can take on the world after drinking their favorite drink.
Bring It to Life with Video
Photos are powerful, but if you really want to make people feel something, bring in video. Show the fizz as a can cracks open, the swirl of a latte pour, or chocolate melting over a cookie. That’s what makes people crave your product.
Amazon now lets you add video to your listings with Premium A+ Content. I love teaming up with clients to mix crisp photos with short, mouthwatering clips. It’s the closest thing to letting your customer taste it through the screen until we get smell-o-vision!
Editing: The Flavor Boost Your Images Need
Even the best raw photos need a little editing magic. I always keep things natural—no plastic-looking food—but I make sure your colors pop, your packaging looks its best, and your backgrounds are Amazon-ready.
Think of photo editing like adding salt to pasta water. You don’t see it, but you’d notice if it wasn’t there.
Let’s Make Your Amazon Listing Irresistible
If your product photos aren’t stopping thumbs and turning browsers into buyers, you’re missing out—on more sales, better search rankings, and loyal fans. Great food and drink photography gets you more clicks, more conversions, and helps your brand stand out as the top pick on Amazon.
At MisaHungry Media, I help CPG brands create photos and videos that make people stop and say, I need that. Once they click, the rest is easy. Because when your photos make people hungry, thirsty, or curious, clicks, sales, and happy customers follow.
Let’s make your listing irresistible and supercharge your Amazon sales! Contact me today to get started.
