How to take photos that sell
The first photo decides whether anyone taps on your listing. You do not need a camera or a studio: a phone, daylight and a plain background do almost all of the work.
Light first
Daylight beats any lamp. Stand near a window, but out of harsh direct sun, and turn off overhead lights so the colours stay true. Colour is one of the main reasons buyers ask questions or send things back, so natural light pays for itself.
Avoid the flash. It flattens texture and makes fabric look shiny and cheap.
A plain background
A plain wall, a clean floor, a bed sheet or a door works. The item should be the only thing to look at: no clutter, no feet, no pets (however cute).
For clothes, laying them flat or hanging them on a plain hanger against a door both work. Smooth out creases first; a quick steam makes a real difference.
The shots to take
Aim for a set that answers a buyer's questions before they ask:
- The whole item, straight on, filling the frame. This is your first photo.
- The back, or the other sides for objects.
- The brand label and size tag. Buyers search by brand and size, and trust a listing that shows them.
- The care or composition label, which shows the material.
- Close-ups of texture, print, hardware or anything special.
- Any flaw, clearly. A photographed flaw is part of the deal; a hidden one is a return.
- A measurement: a tape measure across the chest (pit to pit) or along the length, in shot.
Objects, electronics and books
- Electronics: show it switched on and working, the model number, and every accessory laid out.
- Books and games: the cover, the spine, the back (with the barcode) and the condition of the pages or disc.
- Furniture: the whole piece in a tidy room, a measuring tape for scale, and close-ups of any marks.
Common mistakes
- A dark, yellow-tinted first photo taken at night.
- Only one photo, so buyers have to message for more.
- Cropping off part of the item.
- Heavy filters that change the colour.
- Showing the item in a messy room.
How Snappy uses your photos
Snappy reads what is in your photos: the brand tag, the size label, the care label and any tape measure in shot, and puts those real details into the listing. If a measurement is not visible, it says "measurements available on request" rather than guessing. It takes up to four photos per item, so the whole item, the labels and any flaw is a good set to give it. It can also give a photo a clean white background.
Your photos, written up
Snappy reads the labels and measurements in your photos and writes the listing around them. It never invents a measurement.
Try Snappy free → 3 free listings · no card neededFAQ
Enough to answer the obvious questions: the whole item, back, labels, close-ups and any flaws. For clothes that is usually five to eight.
No. A plain, uncluttered background is what matters. White can look smart for objects and electronics.
It can help buyers see the fit, but a well-lit flat lay or hanger shot sells perfectly well. If you do, keep your face out and the background plain.
Sizes vary between brands, so measurements are the surest way to know if something will fit. Including them up front saves messages and returns.