How to Capture High-Quality Images for Your Marketplace Listings
When it comes to rehoming or reselling items on EcoTots, a great photo can make all the difference. High-quality images are essential to show off your preloved items and help them find a new home quickly. The good news? You don’t need a fancy camera—just your iPhone or Android, a little know-how, and you’re ready to capture those perfect pictures.
In this blog, we’ll walk you through an easy, step-by-step process to capture high-quality images for your marketplace listings using both iPhone and Android. Let’s dive in!
Step 1: Find Good Lighting
Natural light is your best friend when taking product photos. Set up near a window where the sunlight is soft but bright. Avoid harsh shadows or direct sunlight that can create glare.
Top Tip: Early mornings or late afternoons provide the best natural light for indoor photography.
Step 2: Clean and Set Up Your Item
Make sure the item you’re photographing is clean and presentable. Wipe off any dust, wrinkles, or smudges, and set it up neatly. This helps buyers see the item in its best condition. Wipe your camera lens too!
Top Tip: Place your item against a plain white or neutral-coloured background to make it stand out.
Step 3: Take Photos from Different Angles
Capture your item from multiple angles to give potential buyers a complete view. Include close-ups of any special features, details and tags with detailed information (e.g., unique fabric patterns, toy functions). Don’t forget to be transparent—if there’s a small scratch or defect, show it clearly so members know what to expect.
Step 4: How to Remove Background and Save Your Image
If the item is not photographed on a white or neutral-coloured background you can simply edit the photo transferring the item to a white background.
iPhone Users:
1. Take the Photo: Using your Camera app, frame the item well with good lighting and tap on the item to focus clearly on the item.
2. Open the Photo: Select the photo you want to edit.
3. Remove the Background: Use the native iPhone feature:
On iPhone models running iOS 14 or later, simply tap and hold the item in the photo until a glowing outline appears.
- Either elect Share from the menu and then select Save Image You will then find the new image in your photos album, or
- Select Copy from the menu, open the Notes app, tap, and Paste the image into a new note.From here, tap the image and select Share, then Save Image as a small or large
4. Edit to Adjust: If needed, open your photo in Photos, tap Edit, and adjust brightness, contrast, or cropping.
Android Users:
1. Take the Photo: Open your Camera app and take well-lit photos of the item.
2. Download Background Remover App: Android doesn’t have a built-in background remover like iPhone, but there are free apps such as Remove.bg or Adobe Photoshop Express.
3. Remove the Background:
- Open the background remover app, upload your photo, and the app will automatically remove the background.
- Download the edited photo with a clean white background.
4. Final Adjustments: Use the Gallery or Google Photos app to make any final tweaks to brightness, contrast, or cropping before saving the final version.
Step 5: Save and Upload to EcoTots
Once you’ve captured and edited your photos, save them to your phone and upload them directly to your EcoTots listing. Make sure your image is sharp, well-lit, and showcases your item in the best way possible.
Bonus Tips for a Picture-Perfect Listing:
- Take Photos at Eye Level: Capture items at the same height someone would view them in real life. This helps to give a more realistic perspective.
- Avoid Clutter: Keep backgrounds and surroundings clean to ensure the item is the main focus.
- Zoom for Details: If your item has intricate details or wear and tear, zoom in to highlight these features.
Final Thoughts:
Capturing high-quality images for your marketplace listings doesn’t have to be complicated. With a bit of practice and the right techniques, you can easily and quickly showcase your preloved items in the best light—literally! Pair your photos with clear, descriptive, and transparent copy, and you’ll create a winning listing that makes it easy for buyers to trust your item and rehome it faster. Ready to start snapping? Grab your phone and give it a try!