Selling your old clothes online is a great way to give them a new life, avoid them going to landfills, and make some extra cash!
Getting good photos of the items you’re selling is imperative to ensure that people can get a clear view of the article in terms of quality, color, and fit.
In this article, learn how to take the best pictures possible of your clothing to get that sale.
1. Make Sure The Clothes Are Picture Perfect
There is no use in taking a picture of a creased, stained, or ripped item as it is unlikely that someone will want to buy it.
Remove Creases
Ironing or steaming clothing before you take a picture is essential! This allows the potential buyer to properly see what the clothes look like; sometimes creases can be deceptive. Creased clothing is also a sign of an unprofessional seller who isn’t making time for their customers.
Remove Any Dirt And Debris
Dust particles, pet hair, and bits of lint can also show up more prominently on camera which means it’s important to remove any of these immediately. If you notice any loose threads or other imperfections, these can be taken care of with a simple snip of scissors or a small stitch.
Remember to check for these things before taking any pictures of clothing:
- No stains
- No loose threads
- No fluff or hair
- No rips or tears
- No creases!
2. Use A Quality Camera
No one is expecting you to have a professional photography studio set up in your bedroom. However, it’s important to use the best quality camera you have. This could be a smartphone, tablet, or another type of camera that can take a clear picture.
Using the in-built focusing tools on a smartphone or the portrait mode on a camera is a great way to ensure the picture doesn’t come out blurry and the customer can clearly see the clothes and any relevant imperfections.
Make sure you have enough storage on the device you’re using before you start as you don’t want to waste time sorting through which photos can be removed to make way for new photos.
3. Photograph In The Right Location
Regardless of how you choose to display the clothing, the location is an important aspect to consider. If you’re taking photos of clothing with a lot of clutter in the background, the customer will find it hard to focus on the item they want to buy and lose interest.
For those selling a few unwanted items infrequently, choose a plain background or a photo you have of yourself wearing the clothing for a quick and simple option. If you use photos of yourself, cropping your head out of the photograph is best for privacy reasons.
If you’re selling second-hand or new clothing on a regular basis, being more selective and consistent with a background or location is advised. Whether this is a mini-studio set up with a backdrop or pictures taken on the street, consistency is key to developing a brand image.
Lighting
Lighting is key when you’re taking pictures of anything. Use natural light to your advantage where possible in your home or wherever you take your pictures to best showcase the items for sale.
With this in mind, taking pictures in the daytime, in a bright open space is best to minimize shadows and glare.
4. Choose The Right Photograph Set-Up
Once you’ve got your camera, your clean and ironed clothes, and your background it’s time to think about how to photograph your clothing. There are a number of ways to do this, some more time-saving than others.
Not all of the options listed here will be appropriate for every item you have. Adapting to each product is key.
Flat Lay
A flat lay refers to an image that is shot directly from above, showing a birds-eye view of an object or item of clothing. This may be useful for smaller items such as tops or hats which can fit easily into the frame but may be difficult to photograph longer items.
Taking a flat lay picture is easy and simple to do, all you need is a plain background and a camera. We recommend laying a white sheet or large piece of white card on the floor to lay the clothes on for a cleaner and more helpful image.
Hanging
Hanging the clothes on the back of the door is an age-old photographing style used by online sellers. Simply hang the item on a hanger and hook it over something such as a door or nail on the wall to display your item.
This is a great way to display longer items as customers will be able to get a better view and judge the size of the item.
Ensure the item is hanging in a way that makes the clothing item look attractive and symmetrical.
Modeling
Taking a picture of yourself or someone else wearing the clothing you’re selling is really useful to the customer as they can visualize it on themselves if they can see how it looks on someone else.
However, this does require you to model or find a model which may take up more time and energy.
5. Remember The Label
Always take a photograph of the label. This is a really key mistake that many online sellers make. Customers want verification of the source and size of the item when making purchases.
Labels also have other vital information that may be useful for the customer such as washing instructions and specific measurements.
Therefore, always take a clear and up close picture of the item’s label and upload it along with the rest of the pictures of the item.
The Bottom Line
Learning how to take good pictures of your clothing is essential to selling them online. If you follow these easy steps, you’ll be out of stock in no time!
When I learned as a child that fashion and beauty go hand in hand with “suffering and pain”, I decided to make a difference.My love for animals is as important to me as my love for fashion.
That’s why I’m devoted to promoting cruelty free and vegan options for clothes, shoes, accessories and make-up.
I truly hope that my website inspires you to make wise choices when it comes to buying clothes or beauty products.When we all contribute a little, we can make the world a better place.
Love, Jessica
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