📸 Photography

Your photos are your storefront. In a marketplace where buyers can't touch, try on, or inspect items, your photos do all the selling. Poor photos mean lower prices, slower sales, and more returns. This guide covers everything from smartphone setups to professional lighting rigs—because great photos don't require expensive equipment, just the right technique.

The Photo Hierarchy: What Sells Items

After shooting thousands of listings, here's what actually moves the needle on sales velocity:

1. Clean, well-lit hero shot — This is your thumbnail. It determines whether anyone clicks. Make it count.
2. Detail shots of brand/tags — Proves authenticity. Buyers zoom in on these.
3. Flaw documentation — Builds trust. Undisclosed flaws = returns and negative feedback.
4. Scale/fit reference — Helps buyers visualize. Flat lays, mannequins, or measurements.
5. Lifestyle/context shots — Optional but powerful for fashion and home goods.

Lighting: The Single Most Important Factor

You can fix a bad background in editing. You cannot fix bad lighting. Period. Here's how to get it right every time.

Option 1: Natural Light (Free)

Natural light is the most forgiving and produces the most accurate colors. Here's how to use it:

• Time window: 10 AM – 3 PM is your sweet spot. Earlier or later creates harsh shadows.
• Best conditions: Overcast days provide perfect diffused light. Direct sun creates harsh shadows.
• Setup: Position items near a large window (not in direct sunlight). Use a white foam board on the opposite side to bounce light and fill shadows.
• Avoid: Mixed lighting (window + overhead lights). Turn off all artificial lights when shooting with natural light.

Option 2: Artificial Lighting ($30-200)

When natural light isn't available or consistent enough, artificial lighting gives you control.

Background Options

Your background should never distract from the item. Here are your options ranked by effectiveness:

Background	Cost	Best For	Notes
White poster board	$1-3	Small items, flat lays	Replace when dirty. Tape to wall for seamless sweep.
White fabric sweep	$15-25	Clothing, larger items	Washable, reusable. Get non-reflective muslin.
Photo backdrop stand	$30-50	Daily high-volume shooting	Professional look, easy to set up/take down.
Lightbox/tent	$20-60	Small items, jewelry, electronics	Built-in diffusion. Great for consistent results.
Gray seamless paper	$25-40	Premium items, high-end fashion	More sophisticated look than white.

Required Shots by Category

Different items need different shots. Here's what buyers expect:

Clothing

Flat lay vs. Mannequin vs. Hanger: Flat lays work for casual items. Mannequins show shape/fit for structured pieces. Hangers are fastest but look least professional. Match your method to your price point.

Shoes

Electronics

Jewelry & Watches

Smartphone Photography Techniques

You don't need a DSLR. Modern smartphones take excellent product photos with the right technique.

Camera Settings

• Use the main lens. Avoid ultra-wide or telephoto for product shots. The main lens has the best quality.
• Lock focus and exposure. Tap and hold on the item to lock. Prevents focus hunting.
• Turn off HDR. HDR can create unnatural-looking colors on products.
• Clean your lens. Seriously. Fingerprints cause haze. Wipe before every session.
• Use a tripod or stand. Even a $10 phone holder eliminates blur and ensures consistency.

Shooting Tips

• Fill the frame. The item should take up 80% of the photo. Crop later if needed.
• Shoot slightly above. 15-30° angle is more flattering than straight-on for most items.
• Multiple shots per angle. Take 3-5 of each angle. Pick the sharpest one later.
• Use the grid. Enable grid lines for better composition and straight horizons.

Photo Editing Workflow

Editing should enhance, not deceive. Here's what's acceptable and what crosses the line.

Always Do

• Crop and straighten — Remove excess background, align horizons
• Adjust brightness/exposure — Match reality, make details visible
• White balance correction — Fix color casts from lighting
• Sharpen slightly — Compensates for smartphone softness
• Remove background distractions — Dust, stray threads (not item flaws)

Never Do

• Hide flaws — Editing out stains, damage, or wear is fraud
• Change colors — Making faded items look vibrant is deceptive
• Over-saturate — Makes items look fake, causes returns
• Heavy filters — Instagram filters don't belong on product photos

Recommended Apps

App	Platform	Cost	Best Feature
Snapseed	iOS/Android	Free	Selective adjustments, healing tool
Lightroom Mobile	iOS/Android	Free (basic)	Presets for consistent editing
PhotoRoom	iOS/Android	Free/Paid	AI background removal
TouchRetouch	iOS/Android	$2-4	Remove dust, small distractions

Platform-Specific Requirements

Platform	Photo Limit	Ideal Size	Notes
eBay	24 photos	1600×1600 px	Use all slots for expensive items. Enable zoom.
Poshmark	16 photos	Square format	Cover photo cropped to square. Style shots perform well.
Mercari	12 photos	Square preferred	First 4 photos show in grid. Make them count.
Depop	4 photos	Square, lifestyle	Aesthetic matters. Younger audience expects styled shots.
Facebook MP	10 photos	Various	First photo is thumbnail. Local buyers less picky.
Grailed	20 photos	High resolution	Fashion-focused buyers expect quality. Show tags, details.

Speed vs. Quality: Finding Your Balance

Item Value	Photo Investment	Approach
Under $20	2-3 minutes	Basic shots, phone camera, minimal editing. Volume over perfection.
$20-75	5-8 minutes	Clean setup, good lighting, 6-8 photos, light editing.
$75-200	10-15 minutes	Full photo setup, all required shots, careful editing.
Over $200	15-25 minutes	Maximum photos, styled shots, detail shots, perfect lighting.

Common Mistakes That Kill Sales

1. Blurry photos — Use a tripod or brace your phone. No excuses.
2. Yellow/orange lighting — Turn off room lights, use daylight or daylight-balanced bulbs.
3. Busy backgrounds — If anything besides your item is visible, you've failed.
4. Missing flaw photos — Undisclosed flaws = returns + negative feedback + suspended accounts.
5. Wrong first photo — Your thumbnail should show the whole item clearly, not a detail shot.
6. Inconsistent lighting — All photos in a listing should have matching light temperature.
7. Too few photos — More photos = more trust = higher conversion. Use your platform's limit.
8. Mannequin/model reflection — Check for your reflection in sunglasses, watches, or shiny items.

Your Photo Starter Kit

Related Guides

• Listing Description Generator — Create compelling descriptions
• Copywriting Guide — Write titles that sell
• Pricing Guide — Price your items right
• Condition Guide — Accurately grade item condition