On a marketplace, shoppers cannot touch, lift or try your product. Your photos have to do that job for them. Clear, honest photos make listings easier to trust, and they cut down on the "not as described" returns that hurt your reputation.
You do not need expensive equipment. A modern smartphone, some daylight and a bit of patience will take you a long way. This guide covers the simple setup and shot list that work for most product types.
Why photos matter so much on a marketplace
When shoppers scroll through a category, photos are the first filter. A dark, blurry image makes a good product look doubtful, while a clean, bright image signals a careful seller.
Photos also protect you. Our Returns Policy lists "product description does not match" among the reasons a shopper can request a return, and our Sanction Policy addresses inaccurate listings. Photos that show the product exactly as it is reduce both risks.
Build a phone studio in ten minutes
Use soft daylight
Natural light from a window is the best free light source. Place your product near a window, out of direct sun. Harsh sunlight creates hard shadows and blown-out highlights. Overcast days are ideal.
Choose a plain background
A white bedsheet, a large sheet of card or a clean wall works well. Plain backgrounds keep attention on the product and look consistent across your store.
Keep the phone steady
Blur usually comes from movement, not a bad camera. Lean your phone against books, use a cheap stand, or brace your elbows on a table.
Clean the lens
Phone lenses collect fingerprints. Wipe yours before every session. It is the cheapest quality upgrade there is.
The six-shot listing
Most products are well covered by six photos:
- The hero shot. The product front-on, centred, on your plain background. This is the image shoppers see in search results.
- Angles. Back, sides and top, so nothing is hidden.
- Close-ups. Labels, model numbers, fabric texture, ports, stitching.
- What is included. Lay out everything that comes in the box. This prevents "missing accessory" complaints.
- Scale. Show the product next to something familiar, or being held, so shoppers understand its size.
- Real condition. For anything that is not brand new, photograph marks and wear honestly.
Category tips
Fashion and shoes
Show the front, back and a close-up of fabric or sole. Lay clothes flat and smooth, or hang them on a plain hanger against a wall. Be consistent so your catalogue looks tidy.
Electronics and appliances
Show ports, buttons and the model label clearly. Include the box and accessories. If the product has a screen, take the photo with the screen on and avoid reflections by angling slightly.
Beauty and personal care
Make labels readable. Shoppers want to see ingredients, size and expiry information where relevant.
Home and kitchen
Show the product in use where possible, for example a kettle on a counter. Context helps shoppers imagine it in their home.
Editing: light touch only
A little editing helps; a lot of editing misleads.
- Do: crop, straighten, brighten slightly and correct a colour cast.
- Do not: change the product's colour, remove defects or add features it does not have.
Honest photos lead to fewer returns, better reviews and repeat customers.
Getting photos onto your listing
On Airsoko, you add products from our seller dashboard at admin.airsoko.com. The product form includes a media section for images alongside the title, description, pricing and inventory fields. Upload your hero shot first, then the supporting angles.
A few practical tips:
- Use the same background and lighting across your products for a consistent store look.
- Name and organise your files by product so updates are easy later.
- Refresh photos when packaging or models change.
A quick photo checklist
- Bright, soft light, no harsh shadows.
- Plain, clean background.
- Sharp focus, steady phone.
- Hero, angles, close-ups, contents, scale and condition covered.
- Colours true to the real product.
- Nothing hidden or edited out.
Common photo mistakes to avoid
- Busy backgrounds such as patterned bedsheets or cluttered tables that distract from the product.
- Mixed lighting, for example a yellow bulb plus daylight, which makes colours look wrong.
- Shooting from too far away, so the product is small in the frame.
- Using the zoom instead of moving closer, which reduces sharpness.
- Watermarks or text over the product that hide details shoppers want to see.
Light, consistency, honesty
Great product photos are not about expensive gear. They are about light, consistency and honesty. Spend one afternoon setting up your phone studio and shooting your best sellers properly, and every listing you publish afterwards benefits.
Ready to put your photos to work? Learn how to start selling on Airsoko and reach shoppers across Kenya.
