Photography Tips for Higher-Value Resale Listings - Increase Sales 30-50%

The Photo Quality Premium

Data from eBay shows that listings with high-quality photos sell for 30-50% more than identical items with poor photos. Buyers pay more when they can clearly see what they're getting.

Essential Equipment (Under $50)

You don't need expensive equipment. Here's what actually matters:

1. Your Smartphone Camera

Modern phone cameras (iPhone 11+, Samsung Galaxy S10+) are plenty good enough. No DSLR needed. Clean your lens before shooting—seriously, this makes a huge difference.

2. White Poster Board ($5)

Buy 2-3 large white poster boards from any dollar store. Use as background and light reflectors. Creates clean, professional look buyers trust.

3. Natural Light (Free!)

Shoot near windows during daylight hours. Natural light is better than any artificial setup under $500. Avoid direct sunlight—use diffused window light.

The Perfect Photo Setup (5 Minutes)

1.
Position near window: Place white poster board on table near window (not in direct sun). This is your background.
2.
Add reflector: Prop second white board opposite window to bounce light back. Eliminates harsh shadows.
3.
Place item: Center item on white background. Leave space around edges. Nothing touching item.
4.
Shoot from above at 45°: This angle shows item best and minimizes distortion. Keep phone parallel to item.
5.
Take 8-12 photos: Multiple angles, close-ups of details, any flaws. More photos = more buyer confidence.

Critical Photos to Include

Photo 1: Main Hero Shot

This determines if people click. Item front-and-center on clean white background. Fill 60-70% of frame. This is your thumbnail—make it count.

Tip: This photo alone impacts your click-through rate by 40-60%.

Photos 2-4: Multiple Angles

Front, back, sides, top. Buyers want to see it all. Missing angles create doubt, which kills sales.

Photos 5-7: Details & Features

Close-ups of:

Brand labels/tags/logos
Model numbers/serial numbers
Unique features or details
Condition indicators (wear, patina)

Photos 8-12: Flaws & Condition

Always photograph defects clearly. This prevents returns and builds trust. Show:

Scratches, scuffs, stains
Missing parts or damage
Wear on corners/edges
Any imperfections

Quick Editing (2 Minutes Per Photo)

Use your phone's built-in editor. You don't need Photoshop. Focus on these three adjustments:

1. Brightness (+10-20%): Photos should be slightly brighter than reality. Buyers prefer bright, cheerful images.
2. Contrast (+5-10%): Subtle increase makes item "pop" against background.
3. Straighten/Crop: Ensure item is level and centered. Crop to remove distractions.

Avoid: Heavy filters, over-saturation, distortion. Keep it natural and accurate.

Common Mistakes That Kill Sales

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Cluttered backgrounds: Messy rooms, carpets, busy patterns distract from item. Use plain white or light gray only.
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Poor lighting: Dark, yellow-tinted photos from artificial light. Shoot during day near windows instead.
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Blurry photos: Hold phone steady, use timer if needed, tap to focus before shooting.
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Too few photos: One photo isn't enough. eBay allows 12—use them all. More photos = higher trust = higher prices.
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Hiding flaws: Trying to hide damage backfires. Show defects clearly to avoid returns and negative feedback.

Time-Saving Workflow

Batch Photography (30 minutes = 10-15 items)

1. Setup once: White background near window, reflector in place
2. Shoot all items: 8-12 photos per item, work through entire batch
3. Edit in batch: Apply same brightness/contrast to all
4. Upload immediately: Don't let photos sit—list while setup is fresh

Pro tip: Dedicate 1-2 hours weekly to photography. Batch processing is 3-4x faster than one-off shooting.

Price Your Items Accurately Too

Great photos get clicks. Accurate pricing closes sales. Upload item photos to get instant price estimates from real eBay data.

Try Item Value Checker Free →