Photos are the first thing buyers look at. Clear, honest photos get more clicks and more messages, and you'll spend less time answering questions. You don't need a good camera: your phone is enough.
1. Use daylight
- Take photos during the day, near a window or outside. Natural light shows true colours.
- Turn off the flash. It causes glare and harsh shadows.
- Avoid direct, strong sunlight, which creates dark shadows. A bright, cloudy day is ideal.
2. Clean it and clear the background
- Wipe it down, dust it, and remove stickers or fluff. Five minutes of cleaning makes a real difference.
- Put the item against a plain background, like a wall, a floor or a sheet.
- Move clutter out of the shot. Buyers should see the item, not your kitchen.
- Check nothing personal is in the frame: post, photos of family, or your house number or car registration if you'd rather not show them.
3. Choose the cover photo carefully
The first photo is the one buyers see in search results. Make it a clear shot of the whole item, straight on, filling most of the frame. Don't use a close-up or an angle that hides what it is.
You can change the order of your photos and pick a different cover photo at any time when you edit your ad.
4. Show it from every side
Use your photos to answer buyers' questions before they ask:
- Front, back and sides.
- Close-ups of labels, brand names, model numbers or sizes.
- Any wear or damage. Being upfront builds trust, and saves a wasted trip for both of you.
- It working, where that's possible: a lamp switched on, a screen showing the home page.
- Scale, for things where size matters. A shot next to a door or a chair helps.
5. Keep it sharp
- Hold the phone steady, or rest your elbows on something.
- Tap the screen on the item to focus.
- Wipe the lens. A smudge makes every photo look hazy.
- Don't zoom in. Move closer instead.
- Take the photo the right way round. Shoot tall items in portrait and wide ones in landscape.
6. Keep it real
- Use your own photos of the actual item, not pictures from the internet or the manufacturer. Buyers want to see what they'll get.
- Don't use heavy filters or edits that change the colours.
7. On Adify.ie
- A free ad can have up to 3 photos, so pick your best: the whole item first, then the details that matter most, then any wear.
- A boost lets you add up to 20 photos. That's worth it for cars, furniture and other things buyers want to see from every angle.
- Photos can be JPG or PNG, up to 20 MB each. Photos straight from your phone are fine.
Selling a car?
Take photos in daylight from all four corners. Add shots of the interior, the dashboard showing the mileage, the boot and the tyres. See our guide to selling a car privately in Ireland for more.
Ready to sell? Post a free ad. Not sure what to ask for it? Read our guide to pricing second-hand items.