Photography Tips
Make sure your listing stands out from the crowd by adding quality pictures, and avoiding some common photography missteps. Not a professional photographer? No problem. You can still ensure your listing has outstanding pictures by following our photography guidelines below.
Please also make sure that your listings meet our minimum size requirements. Width or height of each photo must be at least 460 pixels, in JPG, GIF, or PNG format. Two photos are the minimum requirement, but up to 12 photos can be uploaded to each listing.
We explain in detail each of these 13 points in detail below.
- Capture Multiple Angles
- Don’t Obscure Your Item
- Use Good Lighting
- Capture the Entire Item
- Avoid Blurriness
- Document Damage
- Don’t Add Watermarks
- Don’t Use Photo Filters and Effects
- Don’t Use Manufacturer’s Photos
- Show Context and Scale
- Show Texture and Details
- Show Maker’s Marks, Labels, Artist Signatures
- Show Complete Set
1. Capture Multiple Angles
Our shoppers love pictures – listings with more photos usually sell quicker than those with just a few. It’s a good idea to include photos of your item shot from several different angles and positions. For items such as upholstered furniture, please include a closeup shot of the upholstery.
Front Side
Angle
Back
Bottom
2. Don’t Obscure Your Item
For your main product photo, make sure you’ve cleared all accessories that are on or around the item you’re trying to sell. A simple, uncluttered background will also help your item stand out and look professional.
Entire Item is Visible
Item is Partially Covered
3. Use Good Lighting
Don’t let poor lighting downplay your products! Your listings will shine if they include photos that are clear and well lit. Shoot your items in natural light, but avoid direct sunlight.
Good Lighting
Too Dark
Good Lighting
Too Light
4. Capture the Entire Item
The main photo for your item should include the entire item in frame. Please take care not to cut off corners or any other parts of your item in your shot. It’s OK if the additional photos in your listing do not include the entire item.
Entire Item in Frame
Product is Cropped
5. Avoid Blurriness
Blurry photos do not show your item in its best light. Make sure the item you’re selling is in focus and well-lit in all your photos.
Item is In Focus
Item is Out of Focus
6. Document Damage
To avoid an unnecessary return, it’s important to document any visible scratches, stains, marks or other damage to your items. All wear and tear should be photographed and detailed in your item description. You can use a coin or a ruler to help shoppers understand the scale of any damaged areas.
Item Damage is Documented
Item Damage is Documented
7. Don’t Add Watermarks
All of your photos should be original, unaltered images. Please do not add any text, watermarks or other alterations to your images.
Photo Without Watermarks
Photo With Watermarks
8. Don’t Use Photo Filters and Effects
Your photos should display the color, texture and condition of your item as accurately as possible. Do not add effects filters to your photos that may misrepresent your item.
Clear Photo
Photo Effects Filters
Clear Photo
Photo Effects Filters
9. Don’t Use Manufacturer’s Photos
Please do not include any photos from your item’s manufacturer. We do not own the rights to these photos and cannot publish them with your listing.
© Jonathan Adler
© Design Within Reach
© DwellStudio
© Modernica
10. Show Context and Scale
To help shoppers get a sense of the size of your item, it can be helpful to include photographs of your item next to other objects. Photos of your item in use – for example, a cabinet displaying beautiful objects and books – may also help shoppers imagine how they might use your item in their own space.
Context & Scale
Context & Scale
Context & Scale
Context & Scale
11. Show Texture and Details
Does your item have any pattern detail, texture or other markings that make it unique?
Make sure to include close-up photos of any special details your item may have, to give shoppers a clearer idea of what your item looks and feels like.
Item Detail
Item Detail
Item Detail
Item Detail
12. Show Maker’s Marks, Labels, Artist Signatures
If your item includes any tags, branding, labels or signatures, be sure to include it in your photos. Shoppers will feel more comfortable spending more on a branded item if it has a visible, documented maker’s mark.
Maker’s Tag
Artist Signature
Maker’s Stamp
13. Show Complete Sets
If your listing includes multiple items – a pair or a set – be sure to include a photograph that has all items together. This will help shoppers searching for pairs or sets to find your item quickly in search results or gallery pages.
Both Items in Pair
Photo shows only one item from the pair