How to Photograph Clothes to Sell Online

We recently wrote an article about why product descriptions are so important for clothing sales, and while this probably comes as no surprise, high-quality photos for your listings are even more important. Since online buyers can’t physically touch, inspect, or try clothes on, the photos you post become one of their main tools for making buying decisions. In this guide, we’ll cover the basics of how to photograph clothes for maximum appeal and profit. Whether you sell on Poshmark, eBay, Etsy, Depop, or another platform, these universal tips will help you stand out and sell quickly and for more money.

Why High-Quality Photos Matter

Let’s start with the most important result you’ll see from having more and higher-quality photos: you’ll make more money. In an eBay study, researchers found that items with 2 photos instead of 1 doubled the conversion rate. Better image quality (i.e. higher-resolution and detailed photos) increased the number of watchers. And high-quality photos taken by sellers generated the most trust, both over low-quality photos and stock photos. In an Etsy study (at the same link), 90% of shoppers said image quality was “extremely important” or “very important”, ranking even higher than the actual cost of the item.

Beyond the statistics, platforms give preference to listings with more and higher-quality photos in search results. And with great photos, you’ll get fewer questions from buyers and spend less time on support, because customers will get a better sense of exactly what they’re getting, good and bad.

Choosing the Right Camera

When it comes to taking photos of second hand clothing for online resale, there are generally 2 choices for cameras: your smartphone or a DSLR camera. There’s no question that a good DSLR camera and a strong photo editing workflow on a computer will yield the best images, but is that the only consideration?

I personally use a smartphone camera for all of my clothing listings, as do most online sellers. Why? Because it’s fast, convenient, and efficient. Smartphones can provide great photos and there are lots of apps to assist your workflow, like for removing backgrounds, providing color correction, or adding callouts to highlight damage or other issues. Excluding ironing and product set-up, I can generate a complete set of photos for an item that I’m listing in approximately 1 minute. I could not achieve this level of efficiency with a DSLR, and for lower-value items, time spent on listings is critically important.

If you’re selling an expensive piece of clothing that needs to be showcased as a piece of art, then by all means use a DSLR and workflow that’s not as time-sensitive. It’s better to make expensive pieces shine and command higher dollar amounts.

Lighting Your Product Shots

Natural light is often the best option for photographing clothing, as it tends to give more accurate colors and avoid harsh shadows. Try taking photos near a window or even outdoors. For my best shots, I try to spend an hour or two in the late afternoon on sunny days taking photos near a window in my home.

When natural light isn’t available, consider soft lighting tools like softboxes or ring lights. I use a pair of lights with diffusers that I was able to purchase on Amazon for $80, and they do a great job on days when natural light isn’t available or sufficient.

Whatever your lighting choice, ensure light comes from multiple directions to avoid shadows. If you only have one light source available, a white foam board or reflector can help bounce light back onto the item. Try a few solutions to see what works best for you and your photos.

Don’t forget to check your pictures as you take them. If the colors look different than they do in real life, change your lighting set-up or try adjusting the white balance when you edit the photo. It’s important that the images you take look as true-to-life for your garments as possible.

How to Stage Clothing for Photos

I generally find that garments like t-shirts, sweaters, and pants are best photographed by laying them flat (I typically use my floor), while hanging is best for dresses, jackets, and more formal attire. I do have a mannequin to use when showing shape is important, though I don’t use it for most of what I sell.

It’s very important to use a plain, clutter-free background around the clothing you’re featuring. The garment must be the centre of attention and the only thing in an image that grabs the viewer’s focus. A white wall, a plain sheet, or a solid-color floor can work here. I also rely heavily on a phone app to remove backgrounds.

Besides general pictures of an entire garment from the front and back, take close-up shots of key features like buttons, zippers, logos, labels, and embellishments. These add visual interest, show the garment’s quality, and help the potential buyer make informed decisions.

Make sure to take at least as many photographs of a clothing piece as the platform you’re posting to allows. This is typically between 8 and 16 photos. You cannot include too many photos in your listing to promote interest and attract buyers, but you can definitely include too few. Always opt for as many photos as the platform allows.

Capturing Flaws, Damage, and Wear

Transparency is key. Always take pictures and describe any signs of wear, flaws, damage, or anything else that a buyer should know. Doing so builds trust and reduces the possibility of returns and negative reviews.

Don’t try to minimize or mask issues with a piece of clothing. Take close-up shots in good lighting, and consider putting a ruler or tape measure next to a problem area to give viewers a sense of scale. Don’t over-edit or use filters to try to hide problem areas either.

Conclusion

High-quality, accurate photos are perhaps the most important tool at your disposal for selling clothes online. By using the right lighting, layout, and techniques, you can make a positive impression that builds trust and encourages purchases. Using the tips and ideas in this article, you will significantly increase the likelihood of your resale listings selling more quickly and for more money across platforms like Poshmark, eBay, Etsy, Depop, and others.