You don't need a DSLR, ring lights, or a photography studio to take photos that sell. The camera in your pocket—whether it's an iPhone or any recent Android—is more than capable of producing professional-looking product photos.
The secret isn't the equipment. It's understanding light, composition, and what buyers actually need to see. Master these fundamentals and your listings will outperform sellers with $2,000 camera setups who don't understand the basics.
Light Is Everything
The single most important factor in product photography isn't your camera—it's your light source. And the best light source is free: the sun.
Natural Light Setup
Find a large window that gets indirect sunlight. Direct sunlight creates harsh shadows; you want bright but diffused light. North-facing windows work well because they rarely get direct sun. The best times are mid-morning and mid-afternoon when light is abundant but not intense.
Position your item so the window light falls on it from the front or slightly to the side. The light should illuminate the item evenly without creating dark shadows or blown-out bright spots.
💡 The White Sheet Trick
If your only window gets direct sunlight, hang a white bedsheet over it. This diffuses the light and eliminates harsh shadows. Cheap, effective, and invisible in your photos.
When to Shoot
Overcast days are actually ideal—clouds act as a giant natural diffuser. On sunny days, shoot in the morning or late afternoon, not midday when sun is harshest. If you must shoot at night, you'll need artificial lighting, but honestly? Wait until morning. The results are worth it.
Background Basics
Cluttered backgrounds kill sales. Buyers should see your item, not your living room. Keep it simple:
- White or light gray wall — Classic, clean, works for everything
- Clean floor — Hardwood or tile works great for flat lays
- Poster board — A $3 white poster board from the dollar store creates a seamless backdrop
- Hung on a door — For clothing, a plain door with the item on a hanger works fine
Avoid: patterned fabrics, messy beds, bathroom mirrors, car seats. Anything that distracts from the item hurts your sale.
Composition for Clothing
For clothing, you have three main options. Each has its place:
Flat Lay
Lay the item flat on the floor or a surface, shoot from directly above. Works for almost everything and is the easiest to execute. Make sure the item is neatly arranged—smooth out wrinkles, fold sleeves symmetrically, button collars.
Hanger Shot
Hang the item on a door or wall, shoot straight on. Good for showing how clothing drapes. Use a slim velvet hanger (not plastic or wire) for a cleaner look. Works especially well for jackets, blazers, and structured pieces.
Mannequin/Form
If you have a dress form or mannequin, it shows how clothing fits a body. Not essential for beginners—flat lays work fine—but useful as you scale. For more on display options, see Flat Lay vs. Mannequin vs. Hanger.
The Shot List
Every listing should include these photos at minimum. More is better—platforms allow 8-12+ photos for a reason.
- Full front view — The main hero shot
- Full back view — Buyers want to see both sides
- Tag/Label — Brand, size, material content
- Close-up of fabric/texture — Shows quality
- Any unique details — Buttons, zippers, embroidery, logos
- Any flaws — Stains, holes, wear. Photograph everything
For shoes, add: sole condition, heel wear, interior label, both shoes together. For bags, add: interior, hardware, corners, strap drop.
❌ Common Mistake: Hiding Flaws
Not photographing flaws doesn't make them disappear—it creates returns and negative reviews. Photograph every flaw clearly. Buyers respect honesty, and disclosed flaws rarely kill sales. Hidden flaws always create problems.
Camera Settings
You don't need to be a camera expert, but a few settings matter:
- HDR: Off — HDR can create weird artifacts on product photos
- Flash: Off — Always. Flash creates harsh shadows and unnatural colors
- Tap to focus — Tap on the item to ensure it's sharp, not the background
- Exposure adjustment — If the image looks too dark, tap and drag up to brighten
- Grid lines: On — Helps you keep the item centered and straight
Shoot in the regular Photo mode. Portrait mode blurs backgrounds but can create odd edges around items. Keep it simple.
Quick Editing
Most photos benefit from light editing. Keep it realistic—you're enhancing, not deceiving. Using your phone's built-in editor or a free app like Snapseed:
- Brightness — Bump up slightly if the image is dark
- Crop — Remove extra space, center the item
- Straighten — Fix tilted horizons or crooked items
- White balance — Correct if colors look off (yellowish or bluish)
That's it. Don't add filters, don't crank saturation, don't use effects. Buyers want to see the actual item, not an artistic interpretation of it.
Speed Tips
When you're photographing dozens of items, efficiency matters:
- Batch similar items — Photograph all shirts in one session, all jeans in another
- Keep your setup ready — A dedicated photo corner you don't have to rebuild each time
- Use burst mode for flat lays — Hold the shutter, pick the best shot later
- Edit in batches — Same settings often work for an entire session
Once you have a system, photographing an item should take 2-3 minutes, not 15.
The Bottom Line
Good photos aren't about expensive equipment. They're about good light, clean backgrounds, and showing buyers what they need to see. Your iPhone is already good enough—probably better than whatever camera the average seller is using.
The items with the best photos sell faster and for more money. It's one of the highest-ROI investments of time you can make in reselling. Every minute spent improving your photography pays back in faster sales and fewer returns.
Now go photograph that first flip and get it listed.