Best free photo tips for listings
Jun 12, 2025
Why Great Photos Matter in Online Listings
Good photos are one of the most important factors in making your online listings stand out. Whether you’re selling on eBay, Facebook Marketplace, Mercari, or any other platform, clear and appealing images help your items sell faster and at better prices. You don’t need expensive equipment or software to get great results—just follow these simple, free tips any beginner can do.
1. Use Natural Light Whenever Possible
Lighting is the single most important aspect of product photography. Natural daylight—especially indirect light from a window—gives the most accurate colors and minimizes shadows. Place your items near a window, but avoid direct sunlight, which can create harsh highlights and deep shadows. Morning or late afternoon light is often softest. If you must shoot at night, use several white household lamps to brighten the area and reduce shadows.
2. Keep Backgrounds Simple and Clutter-Free
A clean, neutral background helps buyers focus on the item. Use a plain wall, poster board, or even a white sheet. Avoid patterned surfaces or clutter that distracts from the product. For small items, a piece of white printer paper or a foam board makes a great, inexpensive backdrop.
3. Clean and Prepare Your Item
Before taking photos, wipe down your item to remove dust, smudges, or fingerprints. Arrange any accessories neatly and make sure clothing is free of wrinkles. The more presentable your item looks, the more appealing it will be to buyers.
4. Take Multiple Angles
Show every side of your item: front, back, sides, top, bottom, and any important details or flaws. For clothing or shoes, include tags and soles. Buyers want to see exactly what they’re getting, so don’t hide imperfections—document them clearly. This builds trust and reduces returns.
5. Use Your Smartphone’s Camera
Most modern smartphones have cameras that are more than good enough for listing photos. Clean your phone’s lens before shooting, tap to focus, and use the highest resolution setting available. Avoid using digital zoom, as it reduces image quality—instead, move your phone closer to the item.
6. Hold Steady or Use a DIY Tripod
Blurry photos turn buyers away. Hold your phone steady with both hands, rest your elbows on a table, or create a simple tripod using stacked books and a phone holder. If your phone has a timer function, use it to minimize movement when taking the shot.
7. Edit for Brightness and Crop Out Distractions
Most phones have built-in editing tools. Adjust brightness and contrast to make the image pop, and crop out any edges or backgrounds you don’t want. Don’t use heavy filters—buyers want to see the true color and condition of your item.
8. Name and Organize Photos for Easy Listing
Save your images with clear, descriptive file names (like "blue_nike_sneakers_front.jpg"). Create folders on your phone or computer for each item or listing. This makes uploading to multiple marketplaces much faster and keeps you organized.
9. Keep Inventory and Listings in Sync Across Sites
When selling on more than one platform, it's crucial to update photos and inventory status everywhere. Use a central system to avoid accidentally selling the same item twice. Gavelbase is one simple solution for tracking inventory, sales, fees, and syncing listings. You could also use a shared Google Sheet or a free app like Airtable if you’re just starting out.
10. Assign Basic Team Roles (If You’re Working With Others)
If you have a partner or small team, decide who handles photos, who uploads listings, and who manages sales or shipping. Even a simple checklist or shared note can help you avoid missed steps. For teams, tools like Google Drive or Trello can help everyone stay on track.
11. Track Sales, Fees, and Shipping/Pickup
Keeping records doesn’t have to be complicated. When an item sells, mark it as sold in your central system, record the sale price and any platform fees, and update your inventory. For shipping, snap a photo of the packed item and tracking label for your records. For local pickup, message the buyer to confirm pickup time and location, and keep a note of the exchange.
12. Keep It Simple—Consistency Wins
You don’t need to be a professional photographer. The most important thing is to be consistent: use the same background, lighting, and process for every item. Over time, this helps your listings look more polished and saves you time with each new batch.
Quick Checklist for Every Listing
Clean and prepare the item
Shoot in good natural light
Use a plain, clutter-free background
Take multiple clear angles
Edit for brightness, crop distractions
Organize and name your photos
Sync inventory and listings across all marketplaces
Track sales, fees, and shipping/pickup for each item
Helpful Free Resources
Canva Photo Editor – Easy free image adjustments
Photopea – Free online Photoshop alternative
Remove.bg – Instantly remove backgrounds (free for small images)
Final Thoughts
Great photos don’t require fancy gear or advanced skills—just a little attention to detail and a consistent approach. With these free tips and some basic organization, even total beginners can create listings that look trustworthy and professional. Remember, your photos are the first thing buyers see, so take a few extra minutes to make them count!