A buyer online cannot pick a piece up, turn it over, or feel the texture - the photo has to do all of that work. Good photography is one of the highest-leverage things a maker can get right.
Light matters more than the camera
Even, natural light - near a window, out of direct harsh sun - will beat an expensive camera in bad light every time. Avoid yellow indoor bulbs, which shift colour and make handmade work look duller than it is.
Show true colour and scale
Shoot square-on where possible, and include at least one photo that shows scale - a hand, a tabletop, a wall - so buyers are not guessing at size. Size confusion is one of the most common reasons for returns or refund requests in handmade sales.
Show the detail that makes it handmade
Close-up shots of texture, brushwork, glaze, or stitching are what separate a handmade listing from a mass-produced one. This is the detail buyers are often actually paying for, so do not only show the full piece from a distance.
Keep it consistent across your shop
A consistent background and lighting style across all your listings makes your shop look considered and professional, even with a simple setup - a plain wall or a piece of cardstock is enough.
Photography is one piece of a bigger system - alongside listings, pricing and somewhere to sell. If you are building this as part of an NDIS plan goal, the full picture is on the NDIS support for artists guide.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a professional camera to sell online?
No. A phone camera in good natural light will outperform an expensive camera used in poor light.
Why do my photos make my work look worse than in person?
Usually poor or yellow-toned lighting. Natural light near a window, avoiding direct harsh sun, solves most of this.
How many photos should a listing have?
Enough to show the whole piece, its scale, and at least one close-up of texture or detail - typically three to five images.
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