How to Photograph Clothing
Prepare the Garment
Many sellers will disagree with me, but I wash everything that I buy for resell unless it says dry clean. The clothes a buyer buys from me are ready to wear if they so desire. Plus my office does not smell like a thrift store.
If it needs ironing, iron it. If you can get away with steaming it, do it. Just make sure your clothes look the best they can in your photographs. I struggle to buy a top that I can't touch. I'm sure not going to buy one that has more wrinkles than I do. If you have to put that ironing pile off until last, so be it. Just make sure it gets done. To be honest, I have a little stack of things that need to be ironed/steamed that I put off until all my non-ironed clothes are listed.
Use 12 Images
eBay allows up to 12 images in your listing. If you can, utilize them. Take close ups of buttons, zippers, patterns, etc. The more you can show the customer, the better chance you have of making that sale.
Use a Mannequin or Model
I'll be honest, I do not do this. I prefer flat lays. I'm sure my clothing would sell for more money if I took the time to display them on a mannequin. I struggle with getting my lighting right so I take the easy way out. No need for you to follow in my footsteps. Selling clothing is not my full time gig, but if it was, I would use a mannequin.
White Backgrounds
Recently eBay has informed sellers that they prefer a white background. It helps your listing be found in Google. We all want our listings found don't we? And NO extras. Don't make your picture cutesy by throwing together an outfit for a buyer to see how to style those jeans. eBay only wants the item itself in your pictures.
What tips do you have for photographing clothing?
