Picture taken at home

Studio Image

Generally, it is best advised to show pictures that you took yourself. There are thousands of pictures online, ready to be downloaded, but try your best to keep clear from those. Using a picture that was taken from the web has a few draw backs. Like one may realize that the image came from a different website, or there are others who is using the same picture downloaded from the web. This will put doubts in the buyer’s mind. He is about to buy some thing that he did not see, plus the seller is showing him a fake photo.
On the other hands, when you show the real picture, this drastically improves the confidence factor. The buyer is looking at what he is about to purchase.

How old should the picture be?
This is a tricky issue. For example you bought a phone new and took a picture then. And then a few years later you have listed the phone. Although you are using the picture of the actual item, this may not be the right thing to do. However, the same thing may work for other items like a Trophy, or a Painting, or may be even a car, or an autographed book.

Google Image		Original Image
	VS

Pictures that are taken in studio (or studio settings) tend to be of much higher quality and clearity. Generally because the pictures are taken with best balance of light conditions, with an appropriate background, and many other factors. Most importantly, in a studio there would be a professional photographer, whose job is to make the item in the photo look great.

Ideally we would 'like to use' studio image. But we need to watch out when it is applicable to use studio images. For example, if it is your item that is taken to the studio to be photographed, that would be fantastic. However, you might want to consider the costs.
On the other hands there are many studio images floating on the web, all you have to do is google them. But that will be regarded as stealing other’s picture. It often happens that someone is using an image that ten other people have already used, and it reflects badly on all the sellers.
People wants to see what they are buying. Even though, we can say things like:
Nokia N95 Brand new in its box – Just like the ones in the shop, because it was bought in the shops.
This will not work, we know, its a famous brand, and very popular. We know what it looks and feels like, but show us anyway! There is a sense of satisfaction looking at the real thing.

Preparing the item –
Before taking pictures, these are some of the points you might want to conceder -  
- Is the item clean
- Is it properly shown
- Are all the accessories displayed too

?

Clean item or a dirty item will make the final difference between a good impression and a bad impression. Imagine a picture of a fridge with rotten food on the trays and so forth – will that appeal to a buyer?

Cleaning the item also brings an advantage of better pictures, as they often shine better.

When showing the item, make sure to get good pictures, showing the item in full, and from different angles. Try also to capture different aspects of the item as well. Like for example, if you are selling your car, show it from different angles, show the interior, the engine. Or if you have a phone to sell, show the back and the front. If it is a flip phone, show the phone open with the screen brightly lit too.
The more you show, the more confidance the customer gets.

Also, sometimes it pays to unpack the item. Here are some quick examples:

- Lamp Shade – Out of the box and assembled if possible, show it in its full glory
- Small electronics item – If possible take it out of the box and turn it on if that makes a visual difference. Exceptions are when you are advertising that the item is intact in the new box with the original seal, leave the seal intact as mentioned.
- Shoes or Clothings – Take them out and show them. Do not wear them, even o model, unless you are selling them in massive numbers. If it is one off item, its better not shown wearing – and this specially applies to undergarments!
-  Health Suppliments – If you are selling health supplements or vitamins. It is ok to show the item inside the original box. If you are going to use one for demonstration and sell from other bulk then its ok to show. Remember never to sell any edible item with the seal pilfered – it is illegal in most places and can get the seller in instant trouble.

Warning! If you are selling any medecin, suppliments or any thing of consumption, make sure it is legal to do so under the applicable laws.

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