{"id":1305,"date":"2017-02-07T08:53:42","date_gmt":"2017-02-07T15:53:42","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/estatesales.org\/university\/?p=1305"},"modified":"2017-08-04T12:04:24","modified_gmt":"2017-08-04T18:04:24","slug":"take-good-estate-sale-photos","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/estatesales.org\/university\/take-good-estate-sale-photos\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Take Good Estate Sale Photos"},"content":{"rendered":"

Taking good estate sale photos should be high on your priority list, whether you\u2019re a seasoned liquidator or\u00a0looking to start your own estate sale company<\/a>. In an industry more competitive by the minute, you need to set your estate sale company apart.<\/span><\/p>\n

Investing in good estate sale photography is a start and can bring great returns. Put another way: not taking the time to invest in good sale photos can really hurt you in the end. Plus, it\u2019s a missed opportunity to get even more buyers to your sales. <\/span><\/p>\n

\"vintage
These tin boxes have been carefully staged with labels showing for a well designed photo. Photo by Ampersand Estate Sales.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Photos as a Selling Tool<\/b><\/h2>\n

News flash: Your estate sale photos – not the creative headlines – are what draws buyers to your sales. It\u2019s a fact that estate sales with photos on EstateSales.org get double and triple the views than sales without.<\/p>\n

\u201cI get anywhere from on a low end, 200 people a day, and on the high end, 700 people a day coming through a sale, and they\u2019re generally coming in because of the photography,\u201d said Brad Ruby of <\/span>Ampersand Estate Sales<\/span><\/a> of Chicago, one of the biggest estate sale markets in the country. <\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI believe the photography I do sets me apart from my competition,\u201d said Ruby.<\/span><\/p>\n

To cover all your bases, you should list your sales on all the major estate\u00a0sale\u00a0listing websites. EstateSales.org will also automatically cross-post your sales on five other highly trafficked for-sale websites, providing even more exposure. Posting estate sale photos on your own social media pages is also a good practice and part of building your<\/a> <\/span>building your online media presence<\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

However, slapping a bunch of photos online isn\u2019t enough. What will differentiate your company from the hundreds of others in your area are <\/span>really good<\/span><\/i> photos. After all, estate sale photos are your first impression to buyers, clients, and potential clients, so you need them to be good.<\/span><\/p>\n

If you\u2019ve ever worked retail or customer service, you already know first impressions count, and in this business, presentation is everything. Your estate sale photos can also tell a story.<\/p>\n

\u201cThere’s a lot of psychology with your photos. . . quality, clarity, content, specialty items leaving an element of surprise. Special location? Use your photos to guide your buyers on an adventure. It’s not the number of pics. It\u2019s the adventure you lead them to,\u201d said Dixie Haley Brewer of <\/span>In Your Wildest Dreams Consignment and Antiques<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Kate
Show off high end labels to attract buyers and justify higher prices. Photo by Pink Dog Estate & Moving Sales.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Photo Equipment: Cameras vs Phones<\/b><\/h2>\n

Estate liquidators are an opinionated bunch, and when it comes to photo-taking devices, everyone has a different view on which one works best. There\u2019s no right answer. A few years ago most people would have said handheld digital cameras are superior to smartphone cameras, no question. However, with greater technologies available, even phone cameras are becoming quite good.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI use a Nikon digital SLR,\u201d said Dan Jordan of <\/span>Again L.A. Estate Sales<\/span><\/a>. \u201cI had been using my Samsung Galaxy and it takes amazing photos in low light. The Apple phones, iPhones don\u2019t take as good of photos.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

While using your phone is more convenient, eliminating the need to spend money on an extra device, some people prefer the control digital cameras offer.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m using a Nikon Cool Pics F9900 and then I have the same program from them in my laptop that allows me to enhance, adjust, do what I need to to each picture to make them look even better,\u201d said Jeanette McBeth <\/span>of Platinum Estate Sales<\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"backlit
Beware of backlit photos which make items appear darker.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

\u201cI can lighten it, I can darken it. If I inadvertently put a price tag in there, I can white out the price tag. So it\u2019s great software to have,” said McBeth.<\/p>\n

One thing all estate liquidators agree on is having enough battery power. Be prepared with chargers, extra batteries, or memory cards, so you don’t run out of juice mid-shoot. Upgrade or opt for more gig space when buying devices.<\/p>\n

\u201cFor awhile I had an iPhone 5 that only had 8 gigs of memory and I was unable to use it for sales, so for a few months I used a very old Canon Elph camera which was fine. I took perfectly good pictures with it and I had no problem,\u201d said Michelle Raybeck of <\/span>Pink Dog Estate & Moving Sales<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cBut then I got a Samsung Galaxy S7 which came with a promotion for a free 256 gigabyte SD card – so obviously that makes my life a lot easier as a liquidator because I can just take photos and photos and photos and not worry about running out of space,\u201d said Raybeck.<\/p>\n

Many liquidators use their smartphones to post quick estate sale photos and updates on social media.<\/p>\n

\u201c<\/span>90% of our social media posts on Facebook and Instagram are photographed with an iPhone 6. Our complete photo albums advertising our sales are photographed using Canon DSLRs,\u201d said James Fry of <\/span>Brown Button Estate Sale Services<\/a>.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\"blurred
Don’t do this! Blurry, unlabeled estate sale photos makes these items difficult for buyers to discern.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Other Estate Sale Photo Equipment<\/b><\/h2>\n

Some estate liquidators have a whole professional photography setup, with a tripod, different backdrops, and special lighting. But these days, it\u2019s not really necessary in order to produce high quality photos. <\/span><\/p>\n

Since you\u2019ll be taking photos at the estate, whatever equipment you do use must be portable. Your equipment should be simple to\u00a0assemble and reassemble. Remember, time is money, and depending on how many estate sales you\u2019re managing, you might not have hours to spend setting up an elaborate photo shoot .<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t use a tripod. I really try to travel light, so the less equipment I have to carry, the better. But for the setup of the sale, I bring all the tables and table cloths and jewelry cases, and clothing racks – whatever I need,\u201d said Raybeck.<\/span><\/p>\n

Instead of spending money on expensive lighting equipment, take advantage of natural light for free. If you do opt for natural lighting, make sure to time it right. Check the weather forecast and try to schedule the shoot on a sunny day. Sunrise or sundown can still be too dark, and right in the middle of the afternoon can run the risk of backlighting your photos.<\/p>\n

Luckily, between high definition cameras, phone cameras, and photo editing tools that keep getting more advanced and user-friendly, you can easily achieve a professional look.<\/p>\n

\"cobalt
Keeping like colors together also makes for a good photo, like this table of cobalt blue glass. Photo by In Your Wildest Dreams Antiques, Consignments & Liquidations.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Estate Sale Photo Staging Tips<\/b><\/h2>\n

If you know how to set up\u00a0your estate sale<\/a>, you probably already have the supplies you need to stage good photos: tables and table cloths or some sort of table covering, clothing racks, black felt or velvet, and other materials.<\/p>\n

Before diving into photography, take a few minutes to get acquainted with the space. Don\u2019t hesitate to rearrange or move items. After all, this is your estate sale and the better it looks, the more you\u2019re likely to sell.<\/p>\n

1. Put Like Items Together<\/strong><\/p>\n

Putting similar items together make for a neater showroom. Plus it makes it easier for shoppers to find things. <\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhen I\u2019m setting up an estate sale, I\u2019m working with keeping like items together, like colors together \u201d said McBeth. \u201cIf we have books, all the books are in one room. All the glassware is in one area. Pottery needs to be kept together. It\u2019s keeping like items together, keeping bright colors together where you can,\u201d<\/p>\n

2. Clear Clutter<\/strong><\/p>\n

Try to remove all surrounding clutter from the item you\u2019re shooting, and hide cords and other distractions.<\/span><\/p>\n

3. Find Blank Space<\/strong><\/p>\n

While it\u2019s difficult to shuffle furniture around, most smaller items can be moved or rearranged. Look for a blank piece of floor or wall space to serve as a clean back drop.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"vintage
The blank white wall really shows off this vintage clock. Photo by Pink Dog Estate and Moving Sales.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

4. Show if Off<\/strong><\/p>\n

Show off anything nice, unusual or valuable, especially jewelry. Bling brings buyers! Special props like stands or levels can help showcase them. <\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI have a piece of black velvet that I use for good jewelry – I\u2019m not going to do that with every individual piece of costume but for gold and good silver. I have a piece of black velvet that I use. and at the sale I display jewelry in cases lined with black felt,\u201d said Raybeck.<\/span><\/p>\n

5. Table It<\/strong><\/p>\n

Use tables for items, instead of leaving them on the floor. <\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNobody wants to bend down to get stuff! I don\u2019t want to bend down to pick up an item,\u201d said McBeth.<\/p>\n

6. Cover the Legs<\/strong><\/p>\n

Also important: covering your tables when possible for a more put-together look. <\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI skirt every table that I can. You don\u2019t want to see the ugly legs. You don\u2019t want see what\u2019s underneath. You want to make it exceptionally presentable, almost as if you were in a better retail store,\u201d said Mcbeth.<\/span><\/p>\n

8. Play with Angles<\/strong><\/p>\n

It can take some maneuvering to get the best shot for estate sale photos. For example, be mindful of possible glares or reflections<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhen you\u2019re shooting something with glass, be it a mirror or a framed piece of art that\u2019s got glass on it, you have to play billiards and shoot off angles so you don\u2019t have a big flash showing up in the glass which will detract from your picture,\u201d said Ruby, who also happens to be a professionally trained photographer.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\"closeup
Another shot of the clock from above. Taking multiple photos of the same items gives buyers different views. Photo by Pink Dog Estate and Moving Sales.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The More Estate Sale Photos, the Better<\/b><\/h2>\n

Less isn\u2019t always more. In fact some liquidators believe more estate sale photos means more buyers. Some good advice is to err on the side of more photos. EstateSales.org offers unlimited photos, so you can show as many as you want – and bulk uploading makes it faster.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI think too many liquidators don\u2019t put enough. We typically put at least 200 photos if not more every time. For a big sale I could as many as three or 400,\u201d said Jordan.<\/p>\n

Updating your estate sale photos as your inventory changes (either from new things coming in or items sold) can also have benefits.<\/p>\n

\u201cNot only do we take photos, but every time we go back to the house, we take more photos and update our listing every chance we get. Because we find that every time we update our listing, our viewership [on the estate sale listing sites] goes up,\u201d said Raybeck.<\/p>\n

Show\u00a0Multiple Angles<\/b><\/h2>\n

The more estate sale photos you take, the more good photos you\u2019ll end up with. It can be a crap shoot (no pun intended?), so take as many as you can. You don\u2019t always have the luxury of going back to the estate to take more photos.<\/p>\n

\u201cI take multiple angles. I\u2019m taking three to five shots of every piece, then choosing the best shot or shots that\u2019s needed for the site,\u201d said McBeth.<\/p>\n

\"estate
A full room shot gives buyers a good overview and\u00a0works great for digger sales. Photo by Again L.A. Estate Sales<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Room Shots For Scale<\/b><\/h2>\n

Don\u2019t forget to take an overall room shot. This way, people know the estate sale is\u00a0worth the drive. In bigger cities like Chicago<\/a>, Los Angeles<\/a>,\u00a0 Dallas<\/a>, or Houston<\/a> where estate sales are happening all over the city, buyers have to be strategic about how they spend their time. A room shot full of stuff can entice buyers to make the commute\u00a0to your sale.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHere in L.A. there\u2019s so much competition for sales – we have so many every weekend that people want to go out where there\u2019s a ton of stuff. Especially in our area, because wherever you go you\u2019re going to be driving for the most part, so people really like full houses,\u201d said Jordan.<\/p>\n

Room shots work especially well for digger sales. Some buyers enjoy the hunt more than the actual merchandise.<\/p>\n

\u201cI think if you give a room overall shot, along with going and doing detailed shots of what\u2019s on the tables, your customers appreciate it \u00a0and they can make a fast decision if that sale’s for them or not,\u201d said Jordan. \u201cIt\u2019s kind of amazing the effect actually. You never know what you\u2019re going to get.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"label
Go the extra mile to make your labels look nice and stay on brand, which will look great in photos. Photo by Brown Button Estate Sales and Services.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Closeups, Group, and Individual Shots <\/b><\/h2>\n

Not every item at an estate sale item deserves\u00a0a closeup. Digger sales especially. Be discerning. Some items will need to be photographed individually, at multiple angles. Some will not.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIf you have three pretty pieces – show those! I mean let\u2019s face it, glassware doesn\u2019t sell that well anyways, so the better picture you can get of them, might draw in one or two!\u201d said McBeth.<\/p>\n

\u201cExample: We have a table full of glassware – we\u2019re gonna take a shot of the entire table, and then I\u2019m going to piece out the table for more closeups of it,\u201dsaid McBeth.<\/p>\n

Some estate sale items can be shot in groups, which saves time and still lets potential buyers know what to expect.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat I do is photograph the segments of tables if you look at our photos. If I photograph an individual item, it\u2019s probably worth a lot of money,\u201d said Jordan.<\/span><\/p>\n

And of course, there will be those items you want to showcase with closeups. When shooting an individual item, take time to do a little staging.<\/p>\n

\u201cClean things off, clear the area around the item. The less stuff around it, the better. I try to find a blank wall and a blank bit of floor. You can\u2019t do that for furniture – but stuff that\u2019s in cabinets or on tables, I try to put it some place where there\u2019s going to be nothing around it,\u201d suggested Raybeck.<\/span><\/p>\n

Estate sale photo closeups are also great places to capture identifying details.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhen I\u2019m shooting art, I try and shoot the full piece and then get the signature line. And with furniture if I can find the maker\u2019s mark, I tend to shoot the maker\u2019s mark because there\u2019s an identifier,\u201d said Ruby.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"vintage
Include identifying details in photo descriptions. Note how the water bottle pictured above serves to show scale. Photo by Clark’s Auction Company.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Descriptions for Estate Sale Photos<\/b><\/h2>\n

We know. Writing descriptions can be time consuming, especially when you\u2019re running several sales a month. But it\u2019s true: estate sale photo descriptions can be real selling tools – and not including captions can be a missed opportunity. You may also display descriptions on signage to appear in your estate sale photos.<\/span><\/p>\n

One reason to take the time to write clear descriptions is so buyers will know what exactly they\u2019re looking at. This is especially true for Millennial buyers who might not know what a lot of vintage or antique things are.<\/span><\/p>\n

Use estate sale photo descriptions to underscore brand names (and therefore justify higher prices). Descriptions containing keywords will also come up in Search on EstateSales.org, which is another way buyers can find your sale.<\/span><\/p>\n

Descriptions also tell the story behind interesting items, which can go a long way toward making an item a must-have.<\/span><\/p>\n

Finally, photo descriptions serve as reference points when communicating with potential buyers. Instead of having to go back and forth to figure out which item they\u2019re interested in, you can refer to the description.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Krishna
Descriptions on actual signage throughout your estate sale can also be captured in photos. Original photo by Again L.A. Estate Sales. (Edited\u00a0by Estatesales.org)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Estate Sale Photo Editing Tools<\/b><\/h2>\n

With the number of free photo editing tools out there, there\u2019s no excuse not to edit your photos. Edit to rotate, crop, or enhance photos – although be careful. Too many enhancements may make the item look like it\u2019s worth more than it actually is. <\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t touch up photos, I absolutely want to be completely honest in my advertising,\u201d said Raybeck.<\/span><\/p>\n

Transparency is always a good idea, and photos give you the opportunity to be up front. If your item for sale isn’t 100%, don’t hide it!\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIf I\u2019ve got something that I believe is expensive, but has a flaw, I tend to photograph the flaw,\u201d said Ruby.<\/span><\/p>\n

Digital cameras come with software you can use to edit on your computer or you can spend the money on more advanced programs, like Photoshop (although this isn\u2019t necessary). There are also several mobile apps to edit on the go. However, batch editing features are more efficient for estate sales. <\/span><\/p>\n

Popular, free photo editing tools to try:<\/strong><\/p>\n