Jewelry ECOMM Tech
How to Photograph Jewelry for Shopify, Etsy, and Amazon Listings | January 11, 2026 (0 comments)
In online jewelry sales, your photos are your storefront. Customers can’t touch the piece, try it on, or see how it sparkles in real life... so your images must do all the selling. If your photos aren’t clear, accurate, and visually appealing, you’re likely losing sales to competitors who invest more in their visuals.
Here’s how to photograph jewelry properly for platforms like Shopify, Etsy, and Amazon so your products look professional and convert browsers into buyers.
Why Jewelry Photography Matters for E-Commerce
Great product photos:
- Build trust and credibility
- Reduce hesitation and buyer anxiety
- Increase conversion rates
- Lower product returns
- Help your listings stand out in crowded marketplaces
On platforms like Etsy and Amazon especially, photography quality is often the difference between a scroll-past and a click.
Follow Platform-Specific Photo Requirements
Each platform has technical guidelines you should respect:
Amazon (most strict)
- Pure white background for main image
- Product must fill 85%+ of the frame
- No props, text, logos, or watermarks
- High resolution (at least 2000px on longest side recommended)
Etsy
- More flexible and lifestyle-friendly
- Square images perform best
- Bright, clean, and consistent style wins
- Allows props and storytelling images
Shopify
- Full creative freedom
- Consistency across your entire catalog matters most
- Optimized image size for fast loading (important for SEO)
Use the Right Lighting (This Is Everything)
Jewelry reflects light, which makes it both beautiful and difficult to photograph.
Best lighting options:
- Natural light near a large window with indirect sunlight
- Lightbox for clean, consistent product shots
- Soft artificial lights with diffusers (never harsh bulbs)
Avoid:
- Direct sunlight (creates harsh reflections)
- On-camera flash
- Mixed lighting temperatures
Soft, even lighting brings out sparkle without blowing out highlights.
Capture Multiple Essential Angles
High-performing listings typically include:
- Straight-on hero shot
- 45-degree angle
- Close-up of gemstone or detail
- Side profile (shows depth and setting)
- On-model or lifestyle shot (shows scale)
- Back view for earrings or pendants
The more visual information you provide, the more confident buyers feel.
Show Scale Clearly
Jewelry often looks larger or smaller than expected online.
Solutions:
- Photograph on a real hand, neck, or ear
- Use a model
- Include subtle reference points (like a styled outfit)
- Avoid floating shots that distort size perception
Clear scale reduces returns and builds trust.
About The Author:
As the Creative Director for the Centurion Jewelry Show, Mike Hauben has spent the past 20 years immersed in the world of marketing for jewelers. He also runs a digital agency - haubenmedia.com.