Wondering what’s the best way to take pictures of clothes so that they actually sell?
Having problems getting your clothing items sold? Thinking your pictures might be part of the problem?
You’re probably right. As they say, a picture is worth a thousand words.
Or maybe you just want to take pictures the right way from the get go.
Whichever scenario, and whatever platform you’re selling on, knowing how to take clothing pictures is one of the most important aspects of them actually sell (not to mention getting top dollar!).
Whether you sell on:
- eBay
- Poshmark
- Mercari
- Facebook Marketplace
- or any other reselling platform,
you’ll learn how to take pictures of clothes so that you can get them sold.
Shop resources for resellers!
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Hey there!
My name is Lee and I’m a busy mom of 4 young kids.
To date, I’ve made over $100k (net profit) from reselling
While I’m not a professional photographer by any means, I have figured out what things work and what doesn’t.
And that’s the good news!
You don’t have to be a professional photographer, or have expensive equipment to take great pictures (and make money!).
And by the way, if you’re ready to start and grow a $1k per month or more reselling side hustle, be sure to grab my free training!
Learn how to start your reselling side hustle today!
(steal my 4-step formula for making $1k+/mo.!)
8 Tips For How To Take Pictures Of Clothes To Sell
Thousands of sold listings later, I’ve learned a thing or two about how to take pictures of clothes that you’re going to be sell.
Here are my 8 best tips when it comes to taking pictures of clothes to sell!
1. Get Your Photo Setup Right
There are a few different ways to set up your photo area for taking good pictures of clothes to sell.
Flat Lay
Flat lays are easy to set up and don’t require much (if any) upfront investment in equipment.
Flat lay pictures are taking with the item laid out flat and looking down on the item.
This method works well for jeans and other items that aren’t “flowy” or loose.
The clothing item could be laid out on a bed, floor, table, backdrop, etc.
Here is an example of an item laid out flat on the floor:
Flat lays also look really good with minimal props and fantastic when you use a background remover.
Just make sure you are looking straight down on the item when you take the picture. Otherwise it will turn out like this:
Hanger
Another simple option is to put your clothing items on hangers to photograph.
This method works well for anything that is loose and flowy.
With a cute background, a nice hanger, and an inexpensive hook like this one, you can have a quick photo setup.
Here is a decent looking picture that was taken hanging on a fence:
Hangers can also work for jeans (I’d recommend a cuter hanger and hook!):
Mannequin
Mannequins are one of the best ways to take pictures of clothing to sell – especially when it comes to tops, dresses and bras.
(Forget about using them for pants and jeans….who wants to wrestle those on and off a mannequin!)
A mannequin for tops makes taking pictures super quick and it shows the buyer what the item will look like on without having to model it yourself.
This is my preferred method because it looks great and is so easy to slip items on and off (and not have to get the laid out perfect like with a flat lay).
Here is one taken on a mannequin and with using a background remover:
This is one that works for even the longest items like dress and long sweater and coats:
Last update on 2023-03-24 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
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2. Make Sure You Have Plenty Of Light
There’s nothing worse than dark photos or photos with lots of shadows!
Whether you are taking pictures in natural lighting (indoors or outdoors) or with a lighting kit, proper lighting is a must.
Make sure your clothing items are well light.
Also make sure they aren’t in direct sun or you may end up with a lot of shadows.
If you’re taking pictures outside, an overcast day or shady area is best.
Indoors, find light near windows. Sheer curtains can help diffuse direct light. If you have blinds, aim the light upwards so it’s not shining directly on your clothes your photographing.
Here is an example of a dark picture where it’s hard to see the items:
And an example of having a bit too much direct sun. It looks like there’s a window with light coming in from the left creating shadows:
To avoid these problems, you’ll definitely want to invest in a lighting kit. In fact, this is my #1 took I suggest to new sellers.
Lighting kits start out pretty cheap and it will pay for itself quickly.
They are especially a must if taking pictures after dark.
This is the entry-level one I use:
Last update on 2023-03-24 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
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3. Use Shoe Props
If you’re selling shoes, you definitely want to make some inexpensive investments in displaying your shoes properly.
The biggest problem with shoes is when they collapse and don’t hold their shape.
There are a few things you can use.
Waded up tissue paper works well to put in tennis shoes.
Other shoes, such as sandals can be displayed with inserts like these:
Last update on 2023-03-24 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
For boots, use shaft inserts that come in various lengths:
Last update on 2023-03-23 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Using these will help the shoes not collapse on themselves.
A stand can also help get a good angle when taking pictures:
Last update on 2023-03-24 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
One other trick to getting really good shoe pictures is to use a background remover.
The clear, crisp background that you get with a background remover does wonders when it comes to shoes.
Doesn’t this “pop” once the background is removed?:
I will say, background removers work well for most items, but they do have trouble with a lot of shoes – laces, sandals, etc.
If you don’t want to spend a lot of time editing the edges of shoes when you use a background remover, you probably want to invest in a small light box like this one:
Last update on 2023-03-24 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
It will get you that nice clean white background without having to waste time editing photos.
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4. Take Note Of Your Background
Back to getting your photography setup just right… you will want to make sure your background looks great.
Whether you’re using flat lay, hanger or mannequin, you will want to declutter your picture area.
Remove anything you don’t want showing in the background!
In browsing listings, I’ve seen plenty of photos with clutter in the background. I’m talking stuffed animals, piles of books, etc.
Here is one that has lots of shoe boxes in the background:
What kind of impression does this give potential buyers?
Take the 30 seconds to clear the clutter.
And if you’re having a hard time coming up with a decent background, there are plenty of inexpensive options on Amazon for photo backdrops.
This is the backdrop I use to take pictures of clothes to sell:
Last update on 2023-03-24 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Note that it comes folded (read: wrinkles). Simply roll it around something like a yoga mat and the wrinkles will release with time.
I’ve been using the same one for three years now and it is still going strong!
Stand For Your Background
If you choose to go with a photo backdrop, it can be used for both flat lay photos as well as vertical (upright) photos.
Some people choose to go with a stand such as this one to hold up their background, but it’s really only necessary if you don’t have a wall to attach your background to.
Last update on 2023-03-24 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
This is another option that comes with a white backdrop:
Last update on 2023-03-24 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Wall-Mounting Your Background
If you have wall space available, there’s no need to spend money on a stand.
I use these velcro strips by 3M:
Last update on 2023-03-24 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
One side goes on your background, the other side on the wall.
I use two pairs to hold up a 5’x7′ background.
I’ve been using the same strips for several years. The only one I’ve had to replace is the wall strip only because we moved. The side that attaches to the fabric I’ve never had to replace.
A background remover app like Photo Room Studio can make your items look super professional!
5. Take Lots Of Photos
Whatever platform you’re selling on, they all allow you to upload plenty of photos.
There’s a reason for that: buyers like lots of pictures!
When buyers can thoroughly review the item through pictures, it increase their confidence in purchasing through you.
They aren’t going to be shocked with the condition when you take lots of pictures.
Here’s what you should include:
- Front
- Back
- Sides (where applicable)
- Details
- Flaws
- Up close of material/print
- Brand tag
- Size tag
- Material content tag
- Washing instructions
Pro tip: Be upfront and honest about flaws! Buyers like honesty and flawed items do sell.
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6. Go The Extra Mile
Once you’ve got your setup, your lighting, your background just right, don’t take sloppy pictures!
Go the extra mile to make sure they are displayed nicely.
- For flat lays, smooth clothing items flat so there aren’t wrinkles
- Don’t take pictures crooked
Here are a few more tips to help clothes look “just right”:
Blue Painter’s Tape
Use blue painters tape to hold items in place. For clothing items that are hung (or ones on mannequins), you may need to use blue painters tape to get them to lay right.
Last update on 2023-03-23 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
I frequently use tape for cardigans like this one:
Clips
For bigger sized clothes, they may have a hard time looking nice on a mannequin.
They can look sloppy and not lay right.
A simple fix for this is to clip the item in the back. (Switch to the front when you take pictures of the back.)
Last update on 2023-03-23 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Pilling
For items that have pilling, prior to taking pictures, take the time to use a sweater shaver to remove pills.
This is the one I use and love:
Last update on 2023-03-23 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
It works wonderfully and it even plugs in so you don’t have to go through batteries like crazy.
If you’ve used a basic drugstore sweater shaver before and now hate shavers, through all your old ideas about them out the window. This doesn’t even compare.
Pro tip: use a sweater shaver to remove pilling on bra underwire areas and on straps!
Steamer
Another thing that will make your clothes look amazing in pictures is NOT having wrinkles!
Forget the iron and ironing board!
A small handheld steam like this one will do the trick with just a small amount of effort:
Last update on 2023-03-23 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
And once you’ve got your item looking perfect, you won’t want it to get wrinkled again prior to taking pictures!
This garment rack is beautifully designed with two rods and storage space below:
Last update on 2023-03-23 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
7. Make It Easy On Yourself
Taking pictures can be a lot of work.
Then you get tired, then you start taking sloppy pictures.
So make things easy on yourself.
Set up your photo area with a simple system.
Create Systems
I always have one box of clothes I am pulling from to photograph (on the left of where I’m taking pictures).
Then I have another box on the right where I place the item after I’ve photographed it.
Working right to left and having a system in place helps me take good photos of my clothing items to sell.
Rotating Your Mannequin
Also, if you’re using a mannequin….the quickest way to get tired is having to lift and rotate your mannequin constantly.
There are a couple of easy fixes for this.
The first is a lazy susan. This is what I use for my table top mannequin.
A lazy susan can also be used under a dress form. You will just need a board to set the feet of the stand on, then set it on the lazy susan.
This is the lazy susan I use when taking pictures of clothes:
Last update on 2023-03-23 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
The second option (for a table top mannequin) is to use a bar stool similar to this one:
Last update on 2023-03-23 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Maybe you even have something like this around your house already!
8. Use A Background Remover
I’ve mentioned background removers a few times above, but it really needs it’s own bullet point!
A background remover can not only clean up your background, making your item look very professional, but …. did you know it can also help with buyers finding your items through search engines like Google?
Yes, it’s true! A clean background helps Google “see” your items and show them to shoppers who are looking for that item.
There are many apps and websites out there that can remove backgrounds for free.
The ones I use primarily are:
- Photo Room Studio (app)
- Remove bg (from pc)
They are both easy to use and require little to no manual editing.
Additional Tips To Take Pictures Of Clothes To Sell
Here are some additional tips for taking pictures of clothes to sell:
- Adjust the exposure on your phone before taking pictures to make items light enough
- Don’t go overboard with editing or the color may end up distorted
- Don’t overdo it with props.
- Try including measurements right in your pictures. Fabric measuring tapes like these can be used while taking flat lay pictures.
Get The Most From Those Photos
Once you’ve taken great pictures, get the most bang for your buck by crosslisting your items you’re selling.
I personally use Vendoo to make it quick and easy (it can even bring in your existing photos).
You can learn more about crosslisting here.
When you’re ready, this link will get you 25% off your first month of Vendoo.
Conclusion To How To Take Pictures Of Clothes To Sell
With these tips, I’m confident that you’ll be taking amazing pictures in no time and getting those clothing items sold!
Again, I’d love to help you create your own highly profitable reselling side hustle!
Grab your free training here:
Happy sales and get listing to freedom!
-Lee
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