How to take great photos for your shop

Introducing ecommerce fashion photography

It helps to know about ecommerce product photography for fashion items when listing products in your online shop. Ecommerce product photographs are all about showcasing the product that you want to sell to the best of its ability. But before you start snapping and selling, it's worth keeping two crucial things in mind. Depop is a visual platform and first impressions count. If the photos you upload to your shop are high-quality, it reflects well on the item you’re selling. You want your listings to stand out from the crowd for all the right reasons. So think creative and eye-catching shots that are more likely to attract potential buyers. Model shots and flat lays are the most popular styles of photography on our platform. Use both of these approaches to your advantage and you'll be able to give customers a clear view of your item's quality. As well as any unique details and interesting features your product might have.

How to take good Depop photos

We’ve written the following guide to help you showcase your fashion items in the best way possible. And the good news is you can take e-commerce photos for yourself by using a variety of simple, at-home equipment. You don't need to be a pro or have a fancy studio at all. Find out more about this in the next section.

Setting up your own ecommerce photography studio

Here are the top things you will need to make a great headstart with your Depop photography skills:

• A camera. It doesn’t have to be a state-of-the-art piece. Chances are your smartphone will do the trick. As long as it produces a quality picture and the lens is clean, you can use it for your product photography. 

• A tripod. This piece of equipment should stop any shaky or blurred photos from being taken. There are some affordable ones out there so you don’t have to spend a fortune. It’ll come in particularly useful if you want to include model shots in your listings as it’ll leave your hands free.

• A white backdrop. Any clutter or distractions in the shot can take the focus away from your product. That’s why a white background can really help. Paper sweeps or poster board will do – just make sure that whatever you use is pure white. This will reduce the amount of light that spills onto your product. It’ll also ensure visual consistency throughout the listings in your online shop.

• Some white bounce card. Rigid and white foam card will come in handy if and when you notice any shadows during your photoshoot. Using white bounce cards will generally brighten the whole thing up so your item doesn’t lose any form or detail.

• A desk or table. Having a solid surface is key to taking good photos, especially if you’re using a white sweep background. Any desk or table that’s at least 24 inches in width should be fine to use. 

• A roll of tape. This can be used to secure your backdrop to the table if needs be.

• A suitable room. Ideally, choose a room that has windows for some natural daylight. It would also be great if the walls are clear, so you can use it as a blank canvas for modeling your items against. 

Our top Depop photo tips

Once you have your equipment ready, it's time to get clicking. Below is a summary of our top tips for taking great product photos. Follow this advice and you’ll be in with a better chance of attracting customers to your Depop shop. Don’t forget that the first photo you upload is the one that our users will see first. Make sure it’s a clean shot of the entire item so people can see exactly what it is straight away.

1. Taking flat-lay photos

There are a few things to note when successfully getting a flat-lay shot of your item. Take the time to steam or iron your garment before taking photos of it. Any wrinkles or creases can distract the buyer so try to make it look as perfect as possible. When it’s ready to be photographed, find a spot that’s well-lit. A flattering light will show off your item in the best way, so try to set-up shot near a window. Lie the item against a solid color too. The contrast you’ll get between the background and your product will really make the piece pop. If you have a vibrantly painted wall in your home that could work well. Otherwise, why not get crafty and make your own backdrop? You could pick up some bold and bright sheets of paper or poster board from a local store. 

2. Taking Model shots

Want to know how to take model photos? It’s a recipe of variety, creative styling and consistency. As Depop is a place that champions originality and diversity, we’d suggest you try to show your items on a range of skin colors and body types. The more representation you give in your store, the more you’re likely to attract a wider audience of potential buyers. Knowing how to model for photos can make a real difference too. Your photos should give buyers a better idea of fit and style. So practice modelling from different angles and change up positions until you find the pics that show natural movement and work well. This is the secret to ecommerce model photography. You should also be creative with the garments you’re showcasing. Consider pairing something contemporary with a piece from a bygone era to show how customers can create a unique style with your clothing. Also, decide what you want the look and feel of your Depop store to be. And make sure every listing is aligned with this vision. Consistency is key.

3. Taking pictures of clothes with or without a mannequin

If you’ve got a mannequin, feel free to use it when taking photos of your items. But if you don’t have one to hand, why not model the products yourself? Including pictures – and maybe even some footage – of you and your friends modelling the items could help to give buyers a better idea of fit and style. When a buyer can clearly see how something looks when worn, it’s easier for them to imagine how it might look on them. The more confident a buyer is in your product, the less likely they are to ask questions or have doubts about it. Giving a well-rounded view of each item in a few great-quality modelling photos could help you reach seller success on our site.

4. How to take photos of clothes

Wondering how to photograph clothing to sell online? As well as the flat-lay and model shot styles we’ve mentioned above, there are a couple of other clothing photography tips that you could consider. Try shooting your garments on hangers. This is a straightforward and effective way of showcasing your clothing so it looks neat and attractive. If you’re wondering how to photograph clothes on a hanger, it's easy. After preparing your garment, carefully place it on the hanger so it falls in the same way it would if you were wearing it. We’d suggest you hang it on a hook with a stylish background so you’re showing off your garment in a fashionable light. Remember that you can upload multiple photos, so zoom in on any interesting details and features too. 

5. Taking photos of non-fashion items

Got something else to sell on Depop that isn’t related to fashion? You can still follow a similar process to ensure you get great shots of your product. Whether you’ve got toys, paintings, books or part supplies to sell, you can do it on Depop. Clean the item up and dust it off so it’s in the best condition when you’re taking pictures. An uncluttered backdrop is still important, as it natural lighting. You want to make sure you’re capturing shots of the entire item in a clear and creative way. Include shots of any important details – like instructions, labels or compartments – that add value to your product.