Reseller Product Photo Guide

Quick Answer Reseller photos need to show condition honestly while making items look desirable. Essential shots: flat lay overview on white/light background, detail close-ups of tags/labels, damage documentation, and items photographed on a model or mannequin when possible. Edit for clean backgrounds, accurate color, and brightness. Poshmark recommends square photos; Depop is portrait-oriented. Consistent style builds your shop's brand.

Quick Photography Setup for Resellers

Resellers often photograph dozens of items per week. The setup needs to be fast, consistent, and produce quality results. For flat lays: a white poster board or white bed sheet is the most common background. Lay it flat on the floor or a large table near a window. The natural overhead light from a window produces even, shadow-free illumination. For model/mannequin shots: a dress form or mannequin ($30-100) dramatically improves clothing presentation. Position near a window with a plain wall behind. If you can't get a mannequin, model the items yourself using a phone timer and tripod. Lighting: natural daylight near a window is the reseller standard. The best reseller photos look bright and clean. Shoot during the day and avoid evening shooting under artificial light, which creates yellow color casts. Quick lighting hack: if your window light creates harsh shadows on one side, hold a white poster board or use a white wall as a reflector. This fills in shadows and creates even light across the item. Consistency: use the same setup every time. Same background, same lighting, same angle. When a buyer browses your shop, every listing should look like it belongs to the same seller. This builds trust and brand recognition. Speed: with a dedicated spot and consistent setup, you can photograph 20-30 items per hour. Batch photography is significantly faster than setting up for each item individually.

White background + window light

White poster board or sheet near a window. The simplest setup that produces professional results.

Mannequin or flat lay

Dress form for clothing. Flat lay on white for accessories and folded items.

Batch photograph

Same setup, same light, all items in one session. 20-30 items per hour with practice.

Photographing Clothing for Resale

Clothing is the largest resale category. How you present it determines whether buyers see value or skip. Flat lay technique: lay the garment flat on your white background. Smooth out wrinkles (iron or steam beforehand for best results). Arrange naturally. Don't over-style; it should look like the item, not a magazine editorial. Mannequin/model: a dress form shows shape and fit better than flat lays. For items where fit matters (dresses, structured jackets, pants), model or mannequin shots get more engagement. Details to capture: brand tag close-up (proves authenticity, shows size), fabric content tag, unique design elements (buttons, zippers, embroidery), and overall front and back views. Wrinkle management: steam or iron items before photographing. Wrinkled clothing looks neglected and lowers perceived value. If you can't iron, AI can help: 'smooth out the wrinkles in the fabric.' Color accuracy: the most common buyer complaint is 'the color wasn't what I expected.' Photograph near a window for natural light. Check the photo against the actual item and adjust white balance if needed. Styling flat lays: fold jeans naturally. Lay shirts with sleeves arranged. Pair items with complementary accessories (a belt with jeans, a scarf near a coat) to show styling potential. But always photograph the listed item alone too.

Iron or steam first

Wrinkle-free clothing looks more valuable. 30 seconds of steaming is worth it.

Flat lay + mannequin/model

Flat lay for overview. Mannequin or on-body to show fit and shape.

Tag and detail close-ups

Brand tag, size tag, fabric content, and any unique details. These build buyer confidence.

Photographing Shoes, Bags, and Accessories

Accessories require close-up detail because buyers can't inspect them physically. Shoes: photograph from the side profile (both left and right), front (shows toe shape), back (heel condition), sole (shows wear level), and interior (brand marking, size, insole condition). For designer shoes, include the dustbag and box if available. Bags: front view, back view, interior (show lining, pockets, zipper function), bottom (feet condition), hardware close-up (clasps, zippers, logos), and any serial numbers or authentication markings. Jewelry: use a macro or close-up mode. A plain background (white or black) that contrasts with the piece. Show scale with a common reference (coin, ruler). For gold and silver, side lighting creates attractive highlights. Sunglasses: photograph on a flat surface showing both lenses. Include the arms extended. Close-up of any brand markings. Show the case if included. For all accessories: handle items with clean hands. Fingerprints show on leather, metal, and glossy surfaces. Use a microfiber cloth to wipe items before shooting. Authentication shots: for luxury items, photograph serial numbers, date codes, hardware engravings, and stitching details. These are essential for buyers verifying authenticity.

All angles including interior

Front, back, side, bottom, and inside. Buyers need to see what they can't touch.

Detail close-ups

Hardware, stitching, serial numbers, brand markings. Especially important for designer items.

Clean before shooting

Microfiber cloth on leather, metal, and glossy surfaces. Fingerprints lower perceived quality.

Documenting Condition Honestly

Honest condition documentation reduces returns, negative reviews, and disputes. It also builds buyer trust over time, which grows your resale business. Photograph every flaw: stains, pilling, holes, missing buttons, zipper issues, sole wear, scratches, discoloration. Close-up, well-lit, clearly visible. Don't hide damage behind creative angles. Measurements with photos: for clothing, photograph the item with a measuring tape showing key measurements (chest width, length, sleeve length). This reduces 'didn't fit' returns. Grading scale consistency: develop a personal grading scale (Excellent, Very Good, Good, Fair) and apply it consistently. Describe the condition in words in addition to showing it in photos. Staging condition shots: photograph flaws in the same good lighting as your main photos. Dark, blurry condition photos suggest you're hiding something. Bright, clear damage photos suggest transparency. Before and after cleaning: if you cleaned an item, consider showing both. 'This is how it arrived, this is after cleaning' demonstrates the care you take and the actual current condition.

Photograph every flaw

Close-up, well-lit, clear. Stains, wear, damage, missing parts. Don't hide anything.

Include measurements

Measuring tape in the photo for key dimensions. Reduces 'didn't fit' returns significantly.

Good light for damage too

Condition photos should be as well-lit as your hero photos. Dark damage photos look shady.

Editing Reseller Photos

Editing should make items look accurate and appealing, not misrepresent their condition. Background cleanup: even with a white sheet, backgrounds are rarely perfectly clean. AI background removal creates professional white backgrounds instantly: 'remove the background and make it pure white.' Brightness and exposure: ensure items are well-lit and details are visible. If your photos are slightly dark (common on overcast days), brighten them. AI: 'brighten the photo and make the colors vivid.' Color correction: the most important edit for resellers. If the blue dress looks purple in photos, buyers will be disappointed. Correct white balance so colors match the actual item. AI: 'fix the white balance so the blue is accurate.' Remove background distractions: your cat, your feet, your messy floor, stray items. Crop or AI-remove anything that isn't the product. What not to edit: don't remove stains, damage, or condition issues from your hero photos. You can have a separate hero photo showing the item at its best and condition photos showing the flaws, but never edit flaws out of the main photos. Batch editing: if you shoot 30 items in one session, apply the same brightness and color corrections to all. Consistency in editing creates a professional shop appearance.

Clean white backgrounds

'Remove background, make it pure white.' Professional look from a sheet on the floor.

Accurate colors

Fix white balance so item colors match reality. The #1 cause of reseller disputes.

Never edit out flaws

Enhance presentation, don't misrepresent condition. Transparency builds repeat buyers.

Platform-Specific Photo Tips

Each resale platform has different photo requirements and buyer expectations. Poshmark: square format. First photo is the cover photo shown in search. Use flat lay or mannequin for the cover. Include 8-16 photos per listing (more photos = more engagement). Poshmark buyers expect clean, bright, well-styled photos. Mercari: square format. Up to 12 photos. First photo is the search thumbnail. Mercari buyers span casual to serious. Clean backgrounds and good lighting differentiate your listings. Depop: portrait (4:5) format performs best for the vertical scroll feed. Depop is highly visual and style-oriented. Model/worn photos dramatically outperform flat lays on Depop. Creative styling and aesthetic consistency matter more here than other platforms. eBay: supports up to 24 photos. Rectangular format. eBay buyers are detailed and research-oriented. Comprehensive documentation (every angle, every flaw, all tags) is more important than style. Include measurements in photos. Facebook Marketplace: square or landscape. Local buyers make quick decisions. Your first photo must clearly show what the item is. Less styling, more clarity. For all platforms: your first photo determines click-through rate. Make it your best, cleanest, most attractive image of the item. Save condition and detail shots for positions 3-8.

Poshmark: square, styled, 8+ photos

Clean flat lays or mannequin. Bright and professional. Cover photo is everything.

Depop: portrait, model shots, aesthetic

On-body photos dominate. 4:5 format. Style and brand consistency matter.

eBay: comprehensive documentation

Every angle, every flaw, every tag. 24 photos. Detail-oriented buyers.

Frequently Asked Questions

What's the best background for resale photos?

White is the industry standard. A white poster board or white bedsheet works perfectly. It's clean, consistent, and makes items pop. Some Depop sellers use curated aesthetic backgrounds (vintage fabric, wood surfaces) to match their brand.

Should I model clothing or use flat lays?

Both if possible. Model/mannequin shots show fit and drape. Flat lays show the garment's details clearly. On Depop, model photos are almost required for good engagement. On Poshmark and eBay, flat lays work well alongside mannequin shots.

How do I make thrifted items look appealing?

Clean and steam/iron everything before photographing. Bright, even lighting on a white background. Focus on what makes the item desirable (brand, style, uniqueness) in your hero photo. Document condition honestly in later photos.

Can AI help with reseller product photos?

AI is a reseller's best tool: instant white background removal, color correction, brightness enhancement, and background cleanup. It turns a phone photo on a bedsheet into a professional listing image in seconds. Background removal alone saves significant time.

How many photos should each listing have?

Maximum allowed by the platform. Poshmark: 16. Mercari: 12. eBay: 24. Depop: varies. More photos correlate with higher conversion rates. Include hero, angles, details, tags, condition, and measurements.

Should I hide condition issues in my photos?

Never. Hiding flaws leads to returns, negative reviews, and buyer distrust. Document everything honestly. Many buyers specifically appreciate sellers who clearly show condition because it builds confidence in the entire listing.

How do I get accurate colors in listing photos?

Photograph in natural daylight (not artificial light). Check photos against the actual item. If colors don't match, correct white balance: 'fix the white balance so the red is accurate.' Mention color variations in your listing description.

What phone settings should I use for resale photos?

Auto mode works well for most items. Turn off flash (it creates harsh, flat light). Clean the lens. Tap on the item to focus and set exposure. Use portrait mode for mannequin/model shots. For flat lays, shoot from directly overhead.

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