How to take listing photos that sell

Light and background

Irish daylight near a window beats flash every time. Clear clutter from the background — a plain wall or garden fence looks more trustworthy than a messy garage, even for garage-sale items.

Take landscape photos on your phone; they display better in browse grids. First image is your shop window — show the whole item, not a cropped corner.

Show flaws honestly

Include one close-up of any scratch, stain, or wear. Buyers who arrive expecting mint condition and find damage walk away — wasting everyone's time. Honest photos reduce no-shows.

For electronics, photograph the screen on, serial label, and included accessories in one collage-style set if your phone supports it.

Scale and context

Place a familiar object (A4 sheet, mug, or tape measure) beside smaller items so buyers judge size correctly. For furniture, one photo in the room shows scale better than empty-floor shots alone.