Merchant Photo Guide

You do not need a professional camera. A modern smartphone — iPhone 12 or later, Samsung Galaxy S21 or later, or any flagship Android — shoots more than adequately for Caramel listings. What matters far more than equipment is light, composition, and cleanliness.

Minimum requirements

• At least 12 megapixels — any smartphone from 2021 or later qualifies.
• Use the native camera app in Photo mode. Avoid third-party filter apps.
• Clean your lens with a soft cloth before every session — fingerprints are the single biggest cause of blurry listings.
• Turn off any beauty or AI enhancement filters — customers want to see your product as it really is.
• Shoot in landscape orientation for most listings; portrait is acceptable for single products.

Good light is everything. Poor light makes great products look terrible. Great light makes ordinary products look premium.

Natural light — the best and cheapest option

• Shoot near a large window on an overcast day for soft, even light with no harsh shadows.
• Direct sunlight causes blown-out highlights and deep shadows — use a thin white curtain to diffuse it.
• Golden hour (just after sunrise or before sunset) is beautiful for outdoor shots but too warm for accurate colour in product photography.
• Avoid shooting in mixed light — one window plus overhead fluorescent is a recipe for off-colour images.

Indoor artificial light

• Use daylight-balanced bulbs (5000–6500K) for the most natural colours.
• A ring light or two softbox lights placed at 45° angles on each side eliminates shadows.
• Never use the on-camera flash — it creates flat, harsh, unflattering results.

Composition is how you arrange your subject within the frame. Thoughtful composition communicates quality and attention to detail — both of which customers read directly as trust.

• Place your subject in the centre for product shots. The rule of thirds works better for lifestyle and setting images.
• Shoot at eye level with the product — shooting from above flattens; shooting from below distorts.
• Use a clean, uncluttered background. White, light grey, or a simple textured surface works for most products.
• Leave breathing room — do not crop the product too tightly, but do not leave so much negative space the product looks lost.
• Shoot multiple angles: front, side, back, top-down, and at least one close-up of texture, material, or a key detail.

Product listings on Caramel require a minimum of 3 images. We strongly recommend 5–8 for any item above UGX 20,000.

• Image 1 — Hero shot: clean white or light grey background, full product visible, well-lit.
• Image 2 — Side or alternate angle.
• Image 3 — Close-up of key feature, material, label, or branding.
• Image 4+ — In-use or lifestyle context shot (optional but increases conversion significantly).
• Image 5+ — Any defects, wear, or imperfections must be photographed and disclosed.

The background you choose dramatically affects how premium your product looks. Cluttered, distracting backgrounds lose sales.

Recommended backgrounds

• Plain white or light grey paper sweep — universally works for clothing, accessories, electronics, and home goods.
• Natural textures (wood, linen, marble) — excellent for food products, beauty items, and artisan goods.
• Flat-lay on a plain surface — great for fashion, accessories, and small items.
• Outdoor context — for sporting goods, garden furniture, or outdoor equipment.

Backgrounds to avoid

• Bed sheets or carpets — they look cheap and unprofessional.
• Busy patterns, logos, or branded surfaces not belonging to your product.
• Dark backgrounds for dark products — they disappear.
• Mirror reflections that show you, your phone, or your room.

Fashion photography on a smartphone can look professional with the right approach.

• Photograph clothing on a model, a mannequin, or flat-lay — never just folded in a pile.
• Iron or steam all garments before photographing — creases signal poor quality.
• Show the full garment first, then details: collar, cuffs, fabric texture, print, labels, and any imperfections.
• Include size information in at least one photo — a flat-lay with a ruler or clearly visible label reduces returns.
• For shoes and accessories: shoot on a clean surface, at eye level, with a detail shot of the sole, hardware, or stitching.

For restaurants and cafés, great food photography is the single most important factor in driving new customer bookings on Caramel. Customers eat with their eyes before they eat with their mouths.

The golden rules of food photography

• Shoot fresh — photograph food the moment it is plated, before it sits and wilts.
• Use natural light from a window beside the table rather than overhead restaurant lighting.
• Shoot from directly above (flat-lay) for rice dishes, bowls, and platters. Shoot at 45° for burgers, stacks, and layered items.
• Fill the frame — food should take up at least 70% of the image.
• Use real, freshly prepared portions — never photography food you would not serve.
• Add human elements: hands reaching for food, a fork mid-dip, a coffee being poured. They add life.
• Avoid plastic cutlery, paper plates, or branded fast-food packaging unless that is your brand.

Beyond food, customers want to know what it feels like to be in your restaurant. Your venue photos sell the experience.

• Interior shot — wide angle from the entrance, showing the full dining area. Ensure tables are set and the space is clean.
• Outdoor/terrace area if applicable — particularly powerful for brunch and rooftop venues.
• Bar area if you have one — backlit bottles and polished glassware photograph beautifully.
• Staff photo — a smiling team member creates warmth and human connection.
• Close-up of a table setting — clean cutlery, flowers, or branded menus communicate quality.
• Avoid empty restaurants — fill the space with real guests (with permission) or shoot just before service when tables are set.

Your event hero image is your billboard — it appears in search results, the events feed, and push notifications. It must stop the scroll.

• Use a landscape image at minimum 1920 × 1080 pixels (16:9 ratio) for the hero slot.
• Include the event name, date, and venue in the image or as a subtitle — customers should understand the event in 2 seconds.
• High-energy performance photos work best for concerts and shows.
• For corporate events: clean, professional imagery with your brand colours.
• For food festivals and markets: diverse, colourful food shots taken from above.
• For sports events: action photography — blurred backgrounds and sharp foreground subjects.

Supporting images build excitement and answer questions before customers ask them.

• Venue photo — exterior and interior to help attendees orient themselves before arrival.
• Previous edition photos — if this is a recurring event, photos from the last edition are your strongest selling point.
• Line-up or speaker images — performer/speaker headshots with clear names.
• Ticket tier visual — a simple infographic showing what each ticket type includes (VIP vs General etc.).
• Map or parking information — particularly for outdoor venues.

Hotel rooms must look clean, spacious, and inviting. Customers compare dozens of properties — yours must stand out.

• Make the bed perfectly — tight corners, fluffed pillows, no wrinkles.
• Open curtains and turn on all lights before shooting — bright rooms look larger and more welcoming.
• Remove personal items, toiletries, and clutter from the frame entirely.
• Shoot from the corner of the room at a low angle to maximise the sense of space.
• Include: bedroom, bathroom, work desk, and any balcony or special feature.
• For en-suite bathrooms: ensure mirrors, taps, and tiles are spotless before photographing.
• Photograph the view from the window — even a garden or pool view adds significant value.

Amenities often decide the booking. If you have a pool, a gym, a restaurant, or a garden — photograph them well.

• Pool: shoot in the early morning or golden hour when the water is still and the light is warm.
• Restaurant / breakfast area: shoot when it is fully set for service — not empty.
• Gym: all equipment visible, clean, and brightly lit.
• Reception: welcoming, with staff present if possible.
• Exterior: full building shot and entrance, ideally from the road so guests recognise it on arrival.
• Gardens and outdoor areas: photograph during the day with green, well-maintained landscaping.

For salons, spas, and beauty services, photos must convey two things: the quality of your work and the comfort of your environment. Customers are trusting you with their appearance — your images must earn that trust.

Work portfolio images

• Always photograph finished results — hair, nails, lashes, brows — immediately after completing the service.
• Use good natural light or a ring light directly in front of the client.
• For hair: show both the style and the colour with sufficient context. Front, side, and back views.
• For nails: photograph hands flat on a clean, neutral surface. Close-up and full-hand shots.
• For lashes: close-up eye shot with eyes open and closed.
• Always obtain explicit consent from clients before using their photos for marketing.

Environment photography

• Reception and waiting area: welcoming, clean, and well-lit.
• Treatment stations or styling chairs: clean, professional equipment visible.
• Products used: branded product lines reassure clients about quality.

Spa photography must evoke relaxation, cleanliness, and luxury — even for budget-friendly offerings. The images do the emotional selling.

• Shoot treatment rooms when they are fully set up — fresh towels, candles (unlit is fine), clean linen.
• Minimalist compositions work best — less is more in spa photography.
• Soft, warm light (not cold white) creates the relaxing atmosphere customers are looking for.
• Include product close-ups: oils, towels, stones, or other tools arranged attractively.
• Exterior and entrance — customers want to know they can find you easily.
• The changing area and shower facilities if clean and well-maintained — transparency builds confidence.