How to Edit Photos for Depop Listings

On Depop, Aesthetic Sells

Depop is equal parts marketplace and social media. Buyers don't just search for items, they browse feeds, explore styles, and follow sellers with a cohesive look. Your photos are your brand. A listing with moody lighting, a curated background, and sharp detail gets likes, shares, and sales. A listing shot on a messy bedroom floor gets scrolled past. AI editing helps you nail the aesthetic without spending hours in Lightroom.

What Makes a Photo 'Depop-Ready'

The Depop community favors clean, intentional photography. Top sellers share a few traits: consistent backgrounds (usually white walls, plain floors, or minimal setups), natural lighting, and accurate colors. Model shots outperform flat lays on Depop because buyers want to see how clothes look when worn. The photos should feel authentic but polished. Think curated thrift store, not corporate catalog.

Most Useful Photo Edits for Depop Sellers

• Clean up messy or distracting backgrounds
• Brighten photos taken in dim rooms or overcast days
• Boost muted colors so fabrics look vibrant and accurate
• Remove background objects like furniture, cords, or clutter
• Fix harsh shadows from direct sunlight or flash
• Remove lint, tags, or small blemishes from clothing
• Even out skin tone in model shots without heavy retouching

Editing Model and Mirror Selfie Shots

Model photos are king on Depop. Whether you're wearing the item yourself or using a friend, the photo needs good lighting and a clean background. If you shot in front of a cluttered room, try 'clean up the background behind the person' or 'blur the background for a portrait look.' For mirror selfies (a Depop staple), you can ask the AI to 'remove smudges from the mirror' or 'brighten the reflection.' Keep it real though. Depop buyers appreciate authenticity over perfection.

Getting Colors Right

Color accuracy is the number one reason for returns on resale platforms. Indoor lighting makes whites look yellow, blues look gray, and reds look orange. Fix this before listing. 'Correct the color balance and make the colors true to life' handles most situations. If a specific color is off, be direct: 'the shirt is actually bright red, fix the color.' Accurate colors build trust and reduce disputes.

Building a Consistent Feed Aesthetic

Depop rewards sellers who maintain a cohesive visual style. When your entire shop looks like it belongs together, buyers follow you for the vibe, not just individual items. Pick a background style and stick with it. If you edit lighting, apply similar corrections across all your photos. AI makes this easy because you can reuse the same prompt for every listing photo: 'brighten, fix colors, clean up background' becomes your standard editing workflow.

Depop Photo Guidelines to Follow

Depop allows four photos per listing. The first photo appears in search and your shop feed, so make it count. Square format (1:1) displays best. Avoid watermarks, logos, and heavy text overlays since Depop may flag or remove listings that look like ads. Stock photos are not allowed. Every photo must be of the actual item you're selling. Edit to improve your own photos, don't replace them with something generic.