Photos

How to take photos that sell your stuff

Updated 9 October 2026 · 3 min read

A white chair with blue legs standing in warm sunlight on a wooden floor — Photo: Puscas Adryan on Unsplash

The short answer

Good listing photos need only daylight, a plain background and a clean item. Take one photo of the whole thing, then close-ups of what buyers ask about: the label or model number, any wear, and anything damaged. Three to five honest photos usually answer most questions before they are asked, and a phone camera is all you need.

Daylight near a window beats any lamp or flash.
Clear the background so the item is the only thing in the frame.
Show the whole item, the label, the size and every fault.
Check each photo for things you would rather not share, such as mail or screens.

What is the best light for photos of things I am selling?

Daylight is the best light for selling photos. Put the item near a window during the day and turn the flash off. Daylight shows true colours and soft shadows, whereas a flash flattens the item and a ceiling light turns everything yellow.

Stand with the window beside or behind you, not behind the item.
Avoid direct sun on shiny surfaces. Bright shade is better.
If it is dark outside, wait until daylight the next day.

What should be in the background?

Keep as little as possible in the background. A plain wall, a bare floor or a cleared table lets the buyer look at the item instead of your room. Move laundry, cables and other furniture out of the frame, and wipe the item down first, because dust shows up in photos.

Which photos do buyers want to see?

Photo	What it tells the buyer
The whole item, front on	What it is and what it looks like
A second angle, or the back	That nothing is being hidden
The label, brand or model number	The exact model, so buyers can look it up
Something for scale, or a tape measure	Whether the item will fit
A close-up of each fault	That you are being honest about condition
Everything that comes with it	Cables, remotes, boxes, spare parts

A woman at a desk photographing a black sneaker with her phone, with a laptop and small parcels beside her — A clear surface, daylight and a phone are enough. Photo: Kampus Production on Pexels

Should I photograph scratches and damage?

Yes, you should photograph scratches and damage every time. A close-up of a scratch, paired with a note in the description, tells buyers you are honest about the rest of the item. Showing faults upfront also means the buyer who turns up has already accepted them, so there is nothing to haggle over at the door.

How do I get a sharp photo with a phone?

Wipe the lens. A fingerprint is the usual cause of a hazy photo.
Move closer instead of zooming. Digital zoom only crops the picture.
Hold the phone level with the item, not looking down on it.
Tap the item on screen so the camera focuses and exposes for it.
Leave filters off. Buyers want to see the real colour.

What should I keep out of my photos?

Keep anything that shows who you are or where you live out of the frame, including letters, parcels with address labels, family photos, number plates and screens showing messages. Check reflections in mirrors and glass as well.

Questions people also ask

How many photos should a Marketplace listing have?

Three to five photos is a good number for most Marketplace listings: show the whole item, a second angle, the label and any faults. SnapVent uses up to five photos per item.

Do I need a proper camera?

No, you do not need a dedicated camera. A recent phone in daylight takes photos that are more than good enough for a listing.

Can I use the shop's photo of the product?

Use your own photos of the actual item. Buyers want to see what they will collect, and a stock photo hides the condition, which can make a listing misleading.

Should photos be portrait or landscape?

Either portrait or landscape orientation works. What matters is that the whole item fits in the frame with a little space around it.