Your photograph can make or break the sale!

This was the main picture that went with our example listing:

Problems with this image:

• it's out of focus.
• the cot is full of toys that aren't included.
• there's a blanket in the way - is it hiding something?
• what's that stuff on the left?
• are those scratches on the end, or part of the carving?
• the mobile (which is included) isn't fully shown.
• Is that a teething rail? It's not mentioned in the text...

The seller was asking £180-£220 for this cot bed... It didn't sell.

Whatever price you're after for your item, it's worth giving it your best shot.

---

Focus & Camera Shake
All modern cameras have auto-focus, so there's no reason why your picture should be blurry, unless you're focussing on the wall. If you're getting camera shake due to slow shutter speed (click.........click, instead of clickclick), you need more light on the subject.

Light
Drag your item to the window, or into the garden if necessary. Use a flash. Anything! Make sure your buyers can clearly see what they're getting.

Declutter the Image
Remove the toys from the cot, the stuff from the table, and TAKE THE BLANKET AWAY! Don't take pictures of stuff that's not included. At best, clutter is distracting; at worst, it's misleading.

Framing
Kids rooms are often small, and in this case it's obvious the seller didn't have the space to stand back. Consider taking large items into another room or out into the garden so you can get the whole thing into your photograh, and take shots from other angles too.

Detail & Damage
If you've mentioned detail in your description, take a picture of it - it might clinch a sale! Likewise damage: photograph it all. If people think you're trying to hide something, they won't buy from you.

---

DO...

• use a flash, or enough daylight, to avoid camera shake and poor illumination.
• consider taking your item into the garden.
• focus on your item, not the wall behind it.
• de-clutter!
  Remove from view everything that's not included in the sale.
• frame your item, so it fills the frame without cutting bits out.
• take more than one shot - you can have four photos per item.
• ensure your item is clean - even for the photo - it only takes a few minutes to go over it with a damp cloth.
• provide square pictures if possible, or enough space at the sides so we can crop your image to be square.

DON'T...

• don't assume buyers won't care about the photo - they will.
• don't give up! Digital images cost nothing to take.
  Keep trying until you get a great picture!

Once you have your description and a great photo, decide where you'd like it to go....