Taking Photos for Scale
Apr 7, 2025
When reselling items online or cataloging inventory for auctions, one of the most overlooked details is scale in photos. Buyers want to know not only what an object looks like, but also its actual size. Without scale, you risk increased questions, return requests, or missed sales due to buyer uncertainty. Including a ruler, coin, or other familiar object in your photos is one of the simplest ways to add clarity and trust at the same time.
Why Scale Matters
Human perception is easily deceived in photographs. A small collectible can appear large depending on the angle and backdrop, while a large item like furniture might look smaller without context. Scale provides an anchor for the buyer. By embedding size in every photo, you protect your credibility and save time by reducing guesswork for your audience. Resellers who apply this consistently often notice smoother transactions and fewer misunderstandings, leading to repeat buyers.
How to Incorporate Scale in Photos
Use a ruler or measuring tape: The most precise option, especially for tools, parts, or jewelry. Place it adjacent to the object in a way that aligns cleanly with its dimensions.
Everyday items: Coins, pens, glasses, or even a phone are instantly recognizable reference points. A U.S. quarter, for example, is roughly one inch in diameter, making it a universal comparison piece.
Consistent backdrop: Using the same background with recognizable props reinforces scale across your entire catalog.
Multiple shots: Photograph from different angles—front, side, and overhead—with the scale object present to maximize clarity.
Building and Using a Shared Shot List
Reselling often involves photographing hundreds of items. In the rush, it’s easy to forget scale shots. Creating a shared photo shot list solves this problem. A shot list acts as a checklist for every listing, ensuring consistency and reminding you to include a scale reference without exception.
Example shot list for small items:
Main front photo (clean background, no distractions)
Close-up of details (logos, serial numbers, engravings)
Scale photo with a ruler or coin
Side and overhead views
Any flaws or wear-and-tear reference shots
By sharing this list with team members or contractors, everyone captures the same details in the same order. Consistency builds buyer trust and reduces management overhead. For digital collaboration, you can keep your shot list in a shared document, pinned note, or organize workflow directly in tools designed for reselling.
Workflow Tools for Remembering Scale
Beyond paper checklists, workflow and auction cataloging tools help enforce consistency. Gavelbase is particularly strong here—it lets you manage photo sets at scale and provides structure for resellers handling many lots. By establishing templates, teams avoid skipping crucial images like scale shots.
General productivity tools like Trello, Asana, or shared spreadsheets in Google Sheets can also serve as effective platforms for managing shot lists. Set reminders, create checklists, and tailor them to your workflow. The important thing is that your process is documented, accessible, and followed every time.
Tips for Professional Results
Ensure high resolution so the ruler or reference object is legible.
Keep scale items clean and consistent. For instance, always use the same ruler or same coin type.
Avoid clutter—scale objects should enhance clarity, not distract attention.
Balance lighting so shadows don’t obscure the measurement marks.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Using random items without clear dimensions (e.g., a toy or figurine not widely recognized).
Cutting off part of the ruler or scale object in the frame.
Failing to position it properly—if the object is at a different depth in the photo, it skews the sense of scale.
Overloading the photo with too many reference items. One clear scale is usually enough.
Final Thoughts
Tightly integrating scale into your photography process adds professionalism and saves time. With a structured shot list and habit of including rulers or common items, you’ll reduce buyer hesitation, lower return risk, and create a more efficient reselling workflow. The extra seconds spent placing a reference in each shot pay back in fewer questions from buyers and more confident purchasing decisions.