Tips for photos that sell

Good photos help buyers decide. Use daylight, show the whole item, add close-ups of any flaw, and use your own pictures. This helps buyers trust what they see. It does not promise a sale.

Before you shoot

• Clean the item.
• Put it on a plain background, like a table or a bed sheet.
• Stand near a window. Daylight beats a flash.
• Clear the clutter behind it.

The shots buyers ask for

• The whole item, with a bit of room around it.
• A close-up of the best part.
• Any flaw. Scratches, dents and wear. Buyers trust honest photos.
• The size. Put something familiar next to it.
• The extras. The box, charger and papers.

When Studio is on, the camera shows a guide for your department. A phone, for example, lists: front, back, screen on, box and extras, any scratch. Vehicles list the corners, the sides, the inside, the dashboard, the odometer and the engine.

Cover up private details

Cover the plate number, the serial number, your address and any ID before you take the photo. Zellany removes hidden location data from photos, but not what is written on them.

What to avoid

• Pictures from another listing or the internet.
• Photos with other people's faces. Take extra care with children.
• Heavy filters that change the colour. Studio filters are limited on purpose so the item still looks true.
• Text like "SOLD" or "100% original" added by you.

Videos

A short video can show that the item works. See Add a short video.