Claire Thompson
February 21, 2023

Sell More Online with Stunning Product Photos: A Guide for easyStorage Customers

We dive into the importance of high-quality photos and tips for creating the most effective images to sell items online.

As part of a good declutter, we at easyStorage often suggest that you consider selling on items. So we’ve put together some information to help with that.

Etsy’s research has demonstrated that photos are critical to buyers' purchase decisions - even more important than the postage cost, customer reviews, or even the price. Your pictures are essentially a shop window that catches the eye and draws people in to find out more. Bad photos could prevent you from selling.

In shops, buyers can pick up products, feel their texture, see their size – online the photo needs to do this for them. It’s not always easy to get the shots first time, but it’s well worth the effort persisting to get it right. Let the photography help the buyer!

Remember that the photos are there to help the buyer understand:

·         What the item is;

·         An idea of size and shape;

·         Colour and condition;

·         Packaging, where appropriate.

Take advantage of whatever space/functions  the the platform you’re using offers - a variety of images, carousels, etc.

The Ultimate Tips to Create Images that will Sell

Read on for a few easyStorage tips on creating images that will help you to sell online.

Perfecting the Backgrounds of your Photos

Backgrounds should either be plain or ‘staged’ to reflect a ‘lifestyle’ 

Lifestyle images: think pretty lingerie on a luxury bedspread, home goods shown in an appropriate room etc.However, importantly, avoid background clutter that can distract buyers or confuse them regarding what you are selling. 

Plain backdrops: Use a contrasting, solid backdrop - most experts recommend black or white. By placing your item on a solid black or white backdrop, you draw a buyer’s immediate attention onto the item. This is easily achieved by hanging a bed sheet or placing poster board behind the item, or a plain, colored fabric backdrop.

Some apps allow you to manipulate your image, and eBay, for example, allows you to clean up your images and add a white background.

Grazia magazine makes the genius suggestion of taking photos of shoes or handbags in a bath – a clean, clear white background. (Make sure it’s clean and dry, of course.)

man taking pictures of trainers with his phone in a warehouse

Image variety

Include images from a variety of angles.Think about laying clothes out flat, displaying on hangers, or putting them on a model to show them off.

Highlight, in addition to overall pictures of the item:

  • Photograph labels, logos and tags;
  • Include close ups of textures and patterns;
  • Include different angles.

Photo Lighting

Make sure your photo subject is well lit and show the item’s condition honestly, along with shots of small details as well as overall views.Try to avoid using a camera's flash which can create distortion and/or shadows. 

Natural light is generally best.but direct sunlight can create shadows. The bigger the window, the more natural light you’ll have, avoiding the shadow issue..Taking the item outside when it’s sunny and photographing in the shade may be the solution. If you choose to photograph indoors, surrounding the item with lamps may work just as well. 

However, don’t stress. The latest mobile phones often create great images.

woman using a professional camera of clothes to sell

Manufacturer’s product shots

Unless there’s a specific reason that will help buyers, don’t use product shots from the manufacturer showing items as new. There’s little chance that your item will still look like that!

Quality

Your photos need to be clear and high quality and show your goods off at their best. You’re doing yourself and your buyers no favours by making an item look better than it really is. Be honest about an item’s condition.  Many people can spot over manipulated images a mile off.

Don’t be afraid to show damage: it is unlikely to stop people buying if the damage is minor, and will reduce the chance of returns or claims. Being honest increases the buyer’s trust.

woman taking professional photos of clothing on a rail

Sets/related items

If you are selling more than one item in your listing, take pictures of the set as a whole and of individual pieces.

If you have sets of things, for example matching clothes or pottery, that can be bought separately or together, photograph them together, referencing any separate listings.

(Make very clear what’s included in the price in the description. The same rule applies if you are staging a photo – make clear that the bottle of champagne won’t come with the champagne glasses, or that the unused ink cartridge doesn’t come with the printer.)

Sizing images

The size and shape of your image depends on the platform you’re selling on, so do check before listing. For example, Depop uses a square format.

Don’t try and over-blow small pictures - they will be grainy. (See quality, above)

Using a smartphone

The higher the megapixel count, the better your product photos will come out. For great pictures aim for 12 megapixels or more (Apple iPhone 8, Samsung Galaxy S8, Huawei P20 Pro or Google Pixel 2  - or newer).

Zooming can result in grainy images.

a close up of someone using a smartphone taking a photo of red and white trainers

And finally

If as part of a declutter you decide to keep things rather than sell them on, don’t forget that easyStorage does what it says on the can, and makes storage easy - cheap efficient and even collection and delivery.
No obligation quotes are available online 24/7 according to where you live (https://book.easystorage.com/), or call 0333 241 3137.

Claire Thompson

Claire joined the easyStorage family as a blogger in August 2020 and is loving it! Her passions include writing and learning, and with easyStorage she’s learning new things fast. When not tapping at a keyboard she can be found renovating an old cottage, despite having inherited a complete lack of DIY skills from her father. She has two children, now grown up, and a dopey, loving Vizler (dog), Chester, who steadfastly refuses to do the same. She claims he’s her soulmate!

Want to learn about how we can help you with storage?

Looking for cheap self storage solutions?

Take a look below to pick your preferred booking method
Call 0800 061 4091

Speak with one of our storage consultants for best advice about your storage needs

Call us today
Book Online

Book your storage online in a few clicks. We've made that easy too! (10% discount)

Book online
Contact us

Have a question? Need a quote? click the button to fill out our contact form

Contact us
easyStorage Hiring

Our storage packages have the added benefit of free removal of your items, saving you up to £1,000. All you need to do is pack your items (or we can pack for you, supplying boxes and packing material) and we’ll pick-up your items and store them in our safe and secure easyStorage facility. Then when you are ready, we’ll deliver them wherever you need us to. You just need to give us two working days’ notice. Perfect if you are moving house, running out of space, or just need somewhere to store your stuff.  

Our storage plans provide you with a cost-effective alternative to renting your own lock-up storage space as we’ll only charge you for the storage space you need, making it cheaper for you.

We're here to help, 24/7