Poshmark Photo Tips: Increase Sales with Better Pictures

If you’re trying to increase your sales on Poshmark, one thing you should consider taking a look at is your photos. It’s how you can get potential buyers to click into your Poshmark listings and it’s what they’re going to use to evaluate if that item is what they want. Bad photos can turn buyers off, so making sure you’re taking good photos is essential! In this article, I will provide you with some tips and tricks for taking high-quality photos that will help your Poshmark sales!

Key Takeaways

• Setting up your shot properly, including properly prepping items and using natural lighting, can make a big difference in the quality of your photos.
• Clean, clear, bright photos are the best photos for your Poshmark listings.
• Take as many photos as possible to give your buyer confidence to buy your item.
• There are plenty of apps to help you edit photos, but don’t go overboard. If you’re spending a lot of time editing, you need to figure out a better set up.

Setting Up Your Shot

When it comes to selling on Poshmark, your listing photos can make all the difference. Setting up a great shot will help you get good pictures the first try, without having to do a ton of editing. So taking the time to make sure you’re properly prepped and have a good setup is the best way to start. In this section, we’ll cover some tips for setting up your shot to ensure your items look their best.

Prepping Your Items

The first thing you want to do, before you take any photos, is to make sure your items are clean and presentable. Take the time to iron or steam any clothing items, and remove any lint or stray threads before you even start taking photos. I have this little steamer and it works great! For shoes or accessories, make sure they’re free of any scuffs or scratches.

Nothing is more annoying that taking photos of an item and realizing you need to stop and take a moment to steam it or lint roll it. So prepping your items before you even start is going to save you so much time and hassle when you start snapping away.

Choosing a Background

When selecting a background for your photos, it’s important to keep it simple! A plain white background or neutral-colored wall can work well, or you can use a backdrop or sheet to create a clean, consistent look. Avoid busy or distracting backgrounds that could take attention away from your item. Definitely don’t take pictures with clutter or anything in the background. A simple background is always going to be a better idea.

Pro tip: I personally painted my office white which not only gave me a beautiful, white background, it also brightened the room and gave me good lighting.

Finding the Right Lighting

Good lighting may be the most important thing for capturing high-quality photos. Natural light is often the best option to get the best results, so try taking your photos near a window or outside during the daytime. If you’re taking photos indoors and trying to capture natural light, make sure to turn off all the lights in the room. Mixing natural and artificial lighting can sometimes make the colors look off.

If you don’t have a bright window, you can try taking photos with the lights all on and the flash on your camera or phone off. If the lighting in your house isn’t bright enough, or you tend to need to take photos during a time of day when there isn’t enough natural light, I highly recommend investing in a lighting kit like this one with two box lights (similar to below) or a ring light.

Taking the Photos

Take as Many Photos as Possible

It’s always a good idea to take as many photos as you can. You want potential buyers to get a good look at the item from different angles so they know exactly what they’re getting. At least five or six photos is generally recommended, but more is always better!

Think of it this way: the more photos you provide, the more confident your potential customers will be in buying your item.

When photographing a clothing item, I always try to capture:

• full front
• full back
• zoomed in front 
• zoomed in back
• close up of brand tag / brand name
• close up of size tag
• close up of any other tags
• close up of fabric
• close up of any details

Highlight Details

When photographing your items, it’s important to highlight their key features. For example, if you’re selling a dress with a unique neckline, make sure to take a photo that shows it off. If you’re selling a pair of shoes with a distinctive pattern, take a close-up shot that highlights the pattern.

Remember, the goal of your product images is to make your items look as appealing as possible to potential buyers. By highlighting key features, you can take photos that help your items stand out.

Editing Your Photos

Sometimes product photos just don’t come out perfectly, no matter how good your setup or lighting is/. Luckily, there are many editing tools and apps available to help you enhance your photos and make them stand out. Here are some tips for editing your Poshmark photos:

Basic Editing Tools

Most smartphones come with basic editing tools built into the camera app. These tools can help you adjust the brightness, contrast, and saturation of your photos. You can also crop and straighten your photos to make them look more professional. These basic editing tools on your cell phone are a great place to start without having to deal with an app.

Best Apps for Editing

If you want to take your photo editing to the next level, there are many apps available that offer advanced editing features. Some popular apps for editing Poshmark photos include:

• Photoroom: This app does cost a little money, but it’s my favorite because you can bulk remove backgrounds and bulk edit photos. It makes things go so much faster!
• Adobe Lightroom: This app offers a wide range of editing tools, including exposure, contrast, and color adjustments. You can also create presets to apply to multiple photos at once.
• Snapseed: This app offers editing features such as selective adjustments and healing tools to help you perfect your photos.

Common Editing Mistakes

While editing your photos can help them look more professional, it’s important to avoid over-editing. Over-editing can make your photos look unnatural and unappealing to buyers. Here are some tips for avoiding over-editing:

• Don’t overdo it with filters: Sometimes filters can be a great way to enhance your photos, but it’s important to use them sparingly. Stick to one or two filters that complement each other and don’t make your photos look too saturated or artificial. You’re going for photos that show off how your item really looks in person.
• Keep it simple: Don’t try to edit every aspect of your photos. Focus on making small adjustments to brightness, contrast, and color to enhance the overall look of your photos.
• Don’t spend too much time editing: Honestly, if you’re spending a lot of time editing, you should look at other factors like getting a better set up. If you can take better photos before you start editing, you’ll have an easier time. Or possibly not have to edit at all!

Additional Poshmark Photo Tips

Don’t Use the Poshmark App

​While you can take photos inside the Poshmark app, I recommend you use your phone’s camera and upload them to Poshmark. You have a lot better control of the photos that way and you can work a lot faster. 

Choose the Right Cover Photo

For most items, the cover photo should show the entire front of the item. There are very few exceptions to this. Ensure that your cover photo is bright, clean, and clear. If your photos are mostly good, it can be a good idea to make your cover photo exceptional by using an editing app. This cover shot is what buyers will see when scrolling through Poshmark search results, so make it good!

Creating a Consistent Aesthetic

This isn’t mandatory for selling on Poshmark, but having a consistent aesthetic in your Poshmark closet can make a big difference in attracting potential buyers! To achieve a consistent look, consider using a specific color scheme or theme for your photos. This can be achieved by using similar backgrounds, props, and lighting for each product photo. Additionally, using a consistent photo editing style can help create a cohesive look for your entire shop.

Model and Flat Lay Photography

Using both model and flat-lay photography can help showcase your products in different ways. Model shots allow buyers to see how the item fits and looks when worn, while flat-lay photos can highlight specific details and patterns. 

Conclusion

Truthfully, taking great photos is crucial for success on Poshmark. You definitely don’t need to be a professional photographer to take good Poshmark photos, but making sure you’re providing clean, clear, bright photos is key. By following the tips and tricks provided in this article, you can improve the quality of your listings and increase your sales.

Remember to always try to use natural lighting, take as many photos as you can, and use a clean and simple backdrop.

Investing in a few pieces of equipment, such as a tripod or a ring light, can also make a big difference in the quality of your photos. And don’t forget to edit your photos to enhance their overall appearance (only if needed).

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best lighting for Poshmark photos?

The best lighting for Poshmark photos is natural light. Take your photos during the day in a well-lit area, preferably near a window. If natural light is not available, use a bright, white light source that does not cast shadows or create harsh reflections. A box light or ring light can be really helpful in these situations!

What color background is best for Poshmark photos?

The best color background for Poshmark photos is white or a light neutral color. This will make your item stand out and provide a clean, professional look. You want the buyer to pay attention to your item, not the background. Avoid using busy patterns or dark colors that can distract from your item.

How to add photos to Poshmark listing?

To add photos to your Poshmark listing, click on the “Sell” button in the app and select “List an Item.” Take or upload photos of your item, and then fill in the required information, such as title, description, and price. Once you have completed all the necessary fields, click on the “List” button to publish your listing.

How to photograph shoes for Poshmark?

To photograph shoes for Poshmark, use a clean, neutral background and natural lighting. I personally use a white foam board up against a white wall. Take photos from different angles, including the sole, heel, size, and inside of the shoe. Show any flaws or damage in your photos too.

Can you use stock photos on Poshmark?

Technically, you’re not supposed to use any photos that you don’t own the rights to. That means if you didn’t take it or get permission from the photographer or company that owns it, you shouldn’t use it. However, there are plenty of Poshmark sellers who use stock photos. So what you do is up to you in the end, but I usually avoid it unless it’s an item that is really hard to represent properly in my own photos.