Yes! We really get to take photos today!
Now that our background and lighting are set up, it’s finally time to take some pics.

Here are a few guidelines to consider:

Posing Your Item
Take some time to arrange your object. If you are photographing an outfit, arrange it like an outfit. Position the sleeves and/or legs in a natural and fun pose. If you are photographing a toy, pose it in an attractive way. To get ideas of how to pose your items, look for similar items in catalogs, online stores or even eBay…check out your competition!

(Photos by Jaci. Visit her eBay store,  Miss Noodle’s Closet.)

Straight From Above

To photograph clothing or anything else lying flat, you must get directly above the object to achieve shots like those above. You can use a tripod with a horizontal arm attachment, or you can just lean directly over your object.  I place my foam core background directly on the floor and lean over it to take the photo.  (Tip: If you have long hair, you may want to put your hair up to take photos!)

Focus!

OK…this may seem like a no-brainer, but haven’t you seen terribly out of focus shots over and over again on eBay?  There is no excuse for this. It makes your listings seem very unprofessional. Get a focused shot. Period.

Fill the Frame
Get in close to take your shot. Fill the entire frame with the object. Remember, those gallery photos are small. Your buyers want to see as much detail as possible before handing over cash to you.

This photo is very nice, but there is a lot of white space around the object. This is going to look really tiny in a gallery shot.

This one shows much more detail. It fills the space much better and will be easier to see in a gallery shot.

Multiple Shots, Multiple Angles

Take several photos of your object and from different angles. This will allow the buyer to visualize your item better. Take close up photos of any details, flaws or damage. Your goal is to accurately depict the item, not make it look better than it actually is. The more details you provide, the more comfortable your customer will be to purchase an item from you.

A nice close up shot of the silver piece.

A detail shot of the silver piece.

Include a Point of Reference

This will not apply to everything, but if you are selling something small and taking great up-close shots there is a chance your buyer may think the object is larger than it actually is.  It is a good idea to include a common object such as a quarter, can of soda or even a ruler in the photo to help the buyer judge scale better.

How big do you think these are?  You really can’t tell from this photo.

This photo leaves no doubt as to the size of this silver piece.

I hope these tips will help you take better pictures for your listings!

Got some tips of your own?  Share them!  We’d love to hear from you!

Filed under: Better Selling Techniques, Tips and Tricks by Melisha
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