Photography Tips for Your Online Listings

If you’ve decided that it’s time to start selling your unwanted household items or handmade goods online, you’ve come to the right place. At Plain Direct we make it easy to create listings, but oftentimes the quality of the listing comes down to the quality of the photo. Today we are going to look at some photography techniques that will improve your listing photos and entice potential buyers.

Keep it in Focus

When taking photos of products you are trying to sell it is very important to make sure the photo is in focus. When a photo is out of focus the condition of the product is hard to see, and users may just scroll past your listing. If you are using your phone, you can specifically focus on your product by tapping it on your screen. If you’re an Iphone user, Apple has a photo guide on their website that will help you take better pictures. 

Being able to properly focus your pictures also has a lot to do with lighting conditions, which we will focus on in the next section. 

Lighting is Key

When you are taking pictures for your online listing, be sure to take them in a room with sufficient lighting. Shooting photos in low light can cast shadows which may not accurately represent the product you are trying to sell, and  bad lighting is also a major cause of out-of-focus pictures. 

For online listings, rooms with natural light and nice overhead lighting will usually do the trick. You can also purchase a light that is specifically for photography that allows you to shoot your photos almost anywhere. This $40 light comes with a tripod and will instantly improve your listing photos. 

Take Multiple Angles

When taking pictures for an online product listing make a point to shoot the product from all different angles. When people purchase things online, especially if they are buying them sight unseen, they want to see all aspects of the product. Taking pictures of your product from all angles gives potential buyers an accurate view of the product so they know exactly what they are buying. 

Accurately Represent the Product

Don’t be afraid to showcase any imperfections or blemishes in the product you are trying to sell. Being up-front about any issues or defects develops trust with the buyer, and gives buyers the peace of mind in knowing they are getting exactly what is advertised. 

Are you ready to list your own products on Plain Direct? Simply sign up for an account to get started!