Mockups are fine to start, but real photos of your own samples build trust and help listings stand out. You don’t need a studio to take good ones.
Light is the most important part
- Shoot near a large window with indirect daylight. Avoid direct sun, which creates harsh shadows.
- If you shoot at night or in winter when daylight is short, a light box or a pair of continuous lights gives you consistent results.
- Turn off overhead room lights so colours don’t mix.
Keep the background simple
A plain white or light neutral backdrop keeps attention on the product. For lifestyle shots, use one or two props that match your buyer, not a crowded scene.
Shots every listing should have
- A clean front view
- A close up of the print so buyers can see the detail
- The product in use or worn
- A scale shot, next to a familiar object
- A size chart or a photo of the label
Editing
Crop straight, correct white balance so whites look white, and keep the colours true. If the photo looks brighter than the real product, expect returns.
TREVOR: add a before and after of one Odd Lantern listing photo, and note what gear you used.
