How to take better photos for a classified listing

The camera in a current phone is enough. What fails is the setup: overhead bulbs, a cluttered bed, and a filter that hides scratches the buyer will see in person.

Use a window, not a flash

Stand so the window is beside or slightly behind you, not behind the item. Turn off the yellow ceiling light. Take one extra shot of any scuff in that same light so it does not look like a different object.

A simple shot list

1. Hero: the whole item, straight on.
2. Context: next to a door, a coin, or a chair so scale is obvious.
3. Back / underside / ports.
4. Accessories laid out.
5. The worst fault, close enough to see.

What to skip

• Stock photos from the manufacturer.
• Screenshots of someone else’s ad.
• Heavy beauty filters on furniture and cars.
• Photos of your children or house number in the background.