Product Photo Checklist for Christmas: What to Review to Avoid Missing Sales During the Most Competitive Period in E-commerce

With the approach of Christmas, e-commerce brands are accelerating the completion of campaigns, but one factor remains decisive and often underestimated: the quality of product images. In an environment where the consumer cannot touch, try, or test the item, photography has become the primary trigger of trust. 

According to data from major marketplaces, over 85% of consumers state that photos are the most important factor in their online purchase decision, ahead of descriptions, reviews, and even price. To address this scenario, the Photoroom team has developed a practical checklist with the key points brands should review in their product images before the December sales peak. 

In this context, some points have become critical for brands wishing to compete for attention and conversion during the year's most competitive period. 

“The consumer decides within seconds. If the image is not clear, honest, and technically well-executed, it stops helping and starts hindering the sale,” says Larissa Morimoto, Growth Manager at Photoroom. 

The 7 points brands need to review before the sales peak 

1. Visual standardization across all products

Maintaining consistency in framing, background, and color temperature throughout the catalog conveys organization, professionalism, and strengthens the brand's visual identity. When each photo seems to belong to a different “universe,” consumer trust is negatively impacted. 

2. Balanced and realistic lighting

Lighting must reveal the product faithfully. Harsh shadows, blown-out areas, or poorly controlled reflections impair the perception of texture, finish, and details. Well-lit images reduce doubts and increase the perception of quality. 

3. Minimum number of angles per product

Consumers expect to see the product from different perspectives before purchasing. The most effective standard includes, at a minimum: 

• Front photo 
• Side view 
• Detail close-up 
• Usage or context image 

On average, buyers look for three to four images before making a decision. 

4. Strategic use of Christmas elements

Seasonal ambiance contributes to emotional appeal, especially for gift-focused purchases. Christmas elements work best when they reinforce the context without hiding the product or distorting its size, color, or functionality. 

5. Color fidelity in all images

Tonal differences between photos of the same product increase consumer frustration and raise return rates. The displayed color must be consistent and as close as possible to the actual product. 

6. Preparing images for multiple channels

Photos must be ready for different applications, such as marketplaces, proprietary stores, paid ads, and social media. This includes correct aspect ratio, appropriate cropping, and resolution compatible with each platform. 

7. Ability to scale production without losing quality

With the typical volume of launches and updates in December, brands relying solely on manual processes face bottlenecks. Automation via artificial intelligence already allows for rapid adjustments of lighting, background, and visual standardization at scale. 

“The image has ceased to be a simple complement to text and has become a direct revenue asset. When it is well-crafted, the consumer feels they have already understood the product before reading any information,” adds the executive. 

AI-powered photography tools are replacing traditional studio processes by automating lighting corrections, background creation, and image reconstruction at scale. This shift is repositioning product photography as a central stage in the conversion strategy, rather than just a content production item. 

Platforms like Photoroom allow images taken with smartphones to be processed and transformed into studio-standard photos in minutes.  

“Christmas is the time when visual efficiency makes a direct difference in revenue. When a brand enters December with inconsistent images, it already starts at a disadvantage. Today, with AI, brands no longer need to choose between quality and speed. The checklist shows exactly where the bottlenecks are and how to solve them practically, without stalling operations during the full sales peak,” concludes Larissa.