Product photography is a set of techniques and rules to obtain images that show a product clearly, truthfully and attractively, meeting marketplace requirements and buyer expectations.
How product photography works
E‑commerce photography follows a simple logic: a high-quality image increases trust, reduces returns and raises conversion. Technically the process includes preparing the product, shooting in controlled lighting, retouching and exporting in the required formats and sizes for upload to Seller Center or via API.
- Preparation: cleaning, packaging, showing included accessories and inserting necessary consumables (for example, batteries in a powered device).
- Shooting: the main angle for the product card, additional angles, scale photos, infographics and lifestyle scenes.
- Editing: color correction, defect removal, cropping to recommended proportions and export to JPEG/PNG with optimal compression.
- Uploading: comply with Kaspi.kz file requirements, name files by SKU and follow upload order through Seller Center or API.
Technical requirements and practical parameters (Kaspi.kz example)
Kaspi.kz sets a number of technical requirements for product images. Below are practical recommendations based on sellers' experience on the platform.
- Main image: neutral or white background, the product should occupy about 70–90% of the frame, no watermarks or logos on the image. This is important: many listings receive warnings or rejections if there are extraneous texts or marks.
- Resolution: recommended at least 1000×1000 pixels to allow zooming. Minimum around 800×800. For products with fine details prefer 2000×2000 or more so buyers can zoom in and inspect textures and seams.
- Format and profile: JPEG for photos, PNG for images with transparency. Color profile — sRGB. Maximum file size is usually limited by the platform (often 5 MB per image); export with compression that preserves sharpness.
- Number of images: at least 3–5 quality photos: main, front view, back view, scale photo (with a hand or tape measure), infographic with dimensions and key specs. Sellers on Kaspi.kz report conversion growth after adding 6–8 images.
- Video and 360°: if the product is complex to use, add a short 15–30 second video or a 360° view. On Kaspi such materials increase click-through and conversion rates by better demonstrating functionality and reducing uncertainty.
Why sellers need it: commercial effects and typical cases
Good photography affects almost every commercial KPI: higher click-through rate from search and categories, longer time on card, higher conversion to purchase and fewer returns. Visual clarity reduces disputes and customer questions, and improves the chances to appear in Buy Box-like placements and promotional blocks.
Typical cases where photography makes a measurable difference:
- Clothing and footwear — correct color and fit photos reduce returns due to mismatched expectations.
- Electronics — detailed photos of ports, connectors and serial labels lower the number of pre-sales questions.
- Home goods and decor — lifestyle photos help buyers imagine the product in their space, increasing impulse purchases.
- Accessories and small items — scale photos and clear shots of markings or materials prevent misunderstandings.
Examples and mistakes by sellers on Kaspi.kz
Common real-world examples and errors observed on the marketplace:
- Using patterned or colored backgrounds for the main image — leads to warnings or lower CTR because the product is less visible in search listings.
- Uploading low-resolution photos — buyers cannot zoom, so they skip the card or assume low quality.
- Showing only staged lifestyle images without a clear product-on-white shot — causes returns when the actual item differs from the styled scene.
- Including promotional banners or price overlays on images — platform rules often prohibit this and such images are rejected.
- Incorrect cropping that cuts off product parts or distorts proportions — misleads buyers and increases complaints.
Practical tips: checklist for shooting, editing and uploading
Checklist to standardize the process from shooting to upload:
- Before shooting: check product completeness, clean surfaces, prepare accessories and choose props only for lifestyle shots.
- Studio setup: neutral background (white for main), diffused lighting, consistent camera distance and tripod for repeatability.
- Required shots: main image on white, front, back, sides, close-ups of key features, scale shot, packaging and a lifestyle photo if relevant.
- Camera settings: shoot in RAW if possible, set white balance to daylight or use a grey card, use aperture for sufficient depth of field so the entire product is sharp.
- Editing: basic color correction, remove dust and scratches, crop to recommended ratio, apply sharpening and export copies for web with sRGB profile.
- Naming and metadata: name files by SKU and version (e.g., SKU_main, SKU_detail1), keep original master files and record EXIF or a simple spreadsheet with shoot details.
- Upload: validate sizes and formats against Kaspi.kz requirements, upload via Seller Center or automate through API, check the final card on desktop and mobile.
- Quality assurance: random checks, compare images between similar SKUs for consistency, and set a review step before publishing.
Automation and workflows: how to simplify the routine
When you have dozens or hundreds of SKUs, manual processing becomes a bottleneck. Ways to scale and automate:
- Standardize shooting templates: fixed camera positions, identical lighting and background so images are interchangeable.
- Use batch processing in Lightroom or scripts in Photoshop to apply consistent color correction, cropping and export presets.
- Automate renaming and resizing with command-line tools (ImageMagick) or custom scripts; export in the exact sizes and profiles Kaspi.kz requires.
- Integrate with Seller Center via API for automated uploads and mapping images to SKUs, or use a partner studio that provides ready-to-upload packages.
- Consider outsourcing repetitive tasks to a partner studio or using a photo conveyor (assembly-line style) for high throughput and consistent quality.
Brief summary and practical tip
Good product photography is a relatively small investment that pays off through higher conversion and fewer returns. Start by fixing the main image: white background, correct framing and high resolution. Once the main setup is standardized, scale with templates, batch editing and API uploads to cover many SKUs efficiently.
Practical tip: create a short internal checklist (3–5 points) that every listing must pass before publishing — this simple gate reduces most common errors and keeps quality consistent across your catalog.
Часто задаваемые вопросы
- What background and framing should I choose for the main image on Kaspi.kz so the listing won't be rejected?
- The main image should have a neutral or white background without logos, watermarks or extra objects. The product should occupy about 70–90% of the frame and be sharply in focus, with no cropped parts. Center the product and avoid shadows that hide its shape.
- In which formats and color profile should I save photos for upload via Seller Center or API?
- Use JPEG for regular photos and PNG only if transparency is needed; save in the sRGB color profile for correct display on most devices. Optimize compression to preserve detail with minimal file size and keep original masters for re-editing. Name files by SKU and version (for example, SKU_main, SKU_1, etc.) to simplify uploads.
- How to correctly show product scale and included items in photographs?
- Add a photo with a common object for scale (hand, ruler or a familiar item) and separate shots of all included accessories. If an accessory is included in the package — show it next to the main product and note it in the caption. For large appliances provide an overall shot and several close-ups of functional elements.
- What typical seller mistakes most often lead to rejection or reduced visibility of the product card?
- Common mistakes include using patterned or branded backgrounds, watermarks, too small or blurry images and colors that don't match the product. Photos with promotional banners, distorted proportions after cropping or misleading compositions are also rejected. Following platform rules and keeping consistency across cards minimizes rejection risks.
- How to simplify shooting and editing when preparing photos for hundreds of SKUs?
- Standardize the process: use the same lighting template and background, fixed distances and angles, and editing presets. Batch processing — exports by mask, renaming and scripts for conversion to required sizes and profiles — speeds up the workflow. For large volumes, set up a production line (in-house photo studio or partner) and automate uploads through the API.
