How to Photograph Bin Store Finds for Resale Listings
Great photos are the single most important factor in online resale success. Here's how to photograph bin store finds to maximize your sell-through and prices.
Why Photography Is Your Most Important Resale Skill
In online resale, buyers can't touch, smell, or try on your items. They rely entirely on your photos and description to make a purchase decision. Poor photos can make a great item look unappealing and unsellable. Great photos can make a modest item look compelling and drive competitive bidding.
Investing time in photography quality is the highest-return activity a reseller can perform — it increases sell-through rate, improves final sale price, and reduces buyer disputes from items that "don't look like the photos."
The good news: you don't need expensive equipment. A modern smartphone and a bit of technique produce excellent results.
Setting Up Your Photography Space
Background
A clean, neutral background is non-negotiable for professional-looking listing photos. Options:
White poster board: Cheap, versatile, works for most items. Available at dollar stores and office supply stores.
White foam board: Slightly more rigid, easier to prop up.
Large piece of white fabric or a white sheet: Good for larger items.
A white wall: The ultimate free backdrop.
Avoid busy backgrounds, patterned surfaces, or backgrounds that compete visually with the item.
Lighting
Lighting is the most impactful variable in photo quality.
Natural light (free and excellent): Position your photography area near a large window with indirect sunlight (not direct sun, which creates harsh shadows). Overcast days provide beautiful, even light.
LED light panels: Inexpensive ring lights and flat LED panels ($20–$50) provide consistent, controllable lighting independent of time of day and weather. Essential if you photograph many items regularly.
What to avoid: Flash (creates flat, harsh light and reflections), mixed light sources (yellow incandescent + blue LED creates color casts), and dark areas without supplemental lighting.
Surface
A clean, flat surface to place items on. A table near your window or under your lights. Keep it clean and uncluttered.
How to Photograph Different Item Categories
Electronics
Main shot: Item face-up, centered on white background, clean and in focus
Back shot: Shows any ports, inputs, or identifying information
Port and connector close-ups: Buyers want to see cable and port condition
Screen shot: Powered on if possible, showing functionality
Any damage: Photograph honestly — it prevents disputes
Accessories: All included accessories laid out cleanly alongside the main item
Clothing and Shoes
Flat lay: Item laid flat on white background, fully spread out to show shape
Hanging: If you have a wall hook or clothing rack, hanging photos show how clothing drapes naturally
Label shots: Size tag, brand label, material tag — buyers need to see these
Detail shots: Any damage, stains, pilling — document honestly
Shoes: Both shoes together, sole of one shoe, profile view, close-up of any wear
Kitchen Items and Appliances
Main product shot: Full item on white background
All accessories: Every included component laid out
Close-up of brand/model label: Buyers want to verify the specific model
Control panel or digital display: Shows features clearly
Any condition issues: Scratches, discoloration, etc.
Toys and Games
Sealed items: Photograph the entire sealed package
Open items: Contents laid out completely — shows what's included
Box condition: Even if the product is good, box condition affects value
Any damage: Honest documentation
Technical Basics: Getting Sharp, Accurate Photos
Focus
Tap the subject on your phone screen to set focus before shooting. Make sure the item is sharp, not blurry. Blurry photos create buyer uncertainty and look unprofessional.
Exposure
After tapping to focus, swipe up or down on most phone cameras to adjust exposure. Items on white backgrounds tend to photograph slightly underexposed (the camera tries to compensate for all the white). Brighten slightly for clean white backgrounds.
Multiple Angles
A minimum of 4–6 photos for most items. eBay allows up to 24 photos per listing — use them. More photos reduce buyer uncertainty and reduce questions.
Accuracy
Photos should accurately represent what the buyer will receive. Don't edit to remove blemishes or hide damage. This leads to returns and negative feedback.
Editing Your Photos
Minor editing is appropriate and standard:
Brightness adjustment: If photos are slightly dark, brighten them
Crop: Tighten the frame around the item, eliminating wasted background space
Color correction: Ensure colors are accurate to the actual item
Apps for editing: Snapseed (free, comprehensive), Lightroom Mobile (free version available), VSCO. Don't use filters — they distort colors and mislead buyers.
Building a Photography Workflow
If you're photographing many items regularly, develop an assembly-line approach:
Batch all items for a session before you start
Set up once and photograph multiple items without reconfiguring
Label photos as you shoot so you know which photo belongs to which item
Edit in batch using apps that allow multi-image editing
Transfer to your listing platform efficiently
A solid photography workflow can reduce time per item from 15–20 minutes to 5–7 minutes, making your operation meaningfully more efficient.