Tips for photographing clothes?

[TitchyWitch]

Can anyone give me any advice on photographing clothes that plan to sell on ebay? What sort of background do you use? And how many different shots of each item? I have quite a lot to sell and need a plan to make it as efficient as possible. And once you've taken the pictures do you pack it up but leave open so you can weigh it etc? Aagh, so many questions!

never sold but as a buyer on ebay, i prefer natural light, so the colour looks true, on a hanger rather than laid down on the floor or a bed, and a plain background. 1 close up shot is helpful, and also possibly of the label if it's visable so the size can be double checked.

As a Seller, I take a picture of it hanging on a hanger, off a picture rail or doorframe perhaps, a close up of any detailing/embellishment, a close up of the tag if it is BNWT, a picture of the size label and a close up of any snags etc.

If you wish, you could also do one of you wearing the item without your head in it, sometimes it helps to see how it fits.

after pictures are taken i just leave it in the wardrobe until its definitely sold. if it doesnt sell youve wasted your packaging.

My most important rule, do not show any of your house.It is just a reminder that you are buying second hand clothes.

I mostly style them on large piece of hardbord (ie very neutral looking) and photograph them in natural light, but not direct sunlight in the garden.

To make them look nice pick up any clothes catalogue and see how they style the clothes flat (joe browns is good).

Also remember to use emotive descriptions, gorgeous cardigan, beautiful skirt, funky tee. You will feel like a twat, but this is how we are used to being sold stuff now and it works.

Thanks for your replies, I hadn't thought of the wasted packaging and the tips on what to take pics of are really useful. I can't do the pics of me wearing them though as I'm 38 weeks pregnant and they aren't maternity clothes! Now I just have to get on with it....

if you are listing many things try using turbo lister :)

I agree with the other posters. I particularly hate seeing clothes displayed on the floor.

Weigh the item first and note the weight, then iron carefully before photographing, then hang in wardrobe.

Also, if you are selling small items e.g. baby clothes, it is often easier to do them flat. I have some lengths of different coloured fleece fabric I use as backgrounds. It is good as it never looks crushed and doesn't reflect the light. I crop photos carefully before uploading to make the item as large as possible in the frame.

I have mostly sold children's clothes, I photograph them flat, dark coloured things on my table, which is light wood, and light coloured things on a wide black jersey skirt I have. Try to photograph the item from directly above, rather than at an angle.

Thats interesting to hear about no floors. I just took lots of pictures of some Men's clothes I am planning to sell. I used the floor . I tried the sofa but you couldn't see it properly because of the angle. Being on the floor, I got totally above it and got a better view. I made sure it was on our nice rug and I Hoovered it immediately before hand.

Will defiantly take this into consideration from now on though!

I lay them out on my kitchen table. Photograph in natural light.

Only provide more than one pic if you are actually showing some detail, like the label, a close-up of a pattern or the back of an item.