How to Take Photos That Sell on eBay, Mercari, Poshmark and More

Published October 28, 2026 · By ListBomb

Short answer: photos that sell are bright, sharp and honest. Shoot in daylight on a plain background, make the first photo the whole item, then add every side, the label or model number, and every flaw. Aim for square photos around 1600 pixels: eBay requires at least 500 pixels on the longest side and recommends about 1600 x 1600, and Poshmark suggests 1000 x 1000. Don't add text, borders or watermarks; eBay doesn't allow them.

Photo rules by marketplace

These are the limits each site publishes on its own help pages (checked October 28, 2026):

Because the limits differ, put your most important photos first. If a site cuts you off at 12, the 12 that make it should still tell the whole story.

The shot list

Take these in order and most listings are done:

1. Cover photo: the whole item, straight on, filling most of the frame.
2. Back and sides: buyers want to see what you didn't put in front.
3. Label, tag or model number: brand tag, size tag, serial plate or model sticker. This answers half the questions you'd otherwise get.
4. Close-ups: texture, hardware, logos, stitching, screen powered on.
5. Every flaw: scratches, stains, chips, missing pieces. Mercari and Poshmark both tell sellers to show them, and it's the best protection against "not as described" returns.
6. Scale: for furniture and anything where size matters, a tape measure in the shot or a familiar object next to it.
7. What's included: cables, boxes, manuals, extra parts, laid out together.

Light and background

• Daylight beats the flash. Shoot near a window or outside in open shade. Direct flash flattens color and makes glare.
• Plain background. A white wall, poster board, a bedsheet or a clean floor works. eBay says white is generally best, but a darker background can work better for shiny items like jewelry.
• Clear the clutter. No laundry piles, pets or other items in the frame. Buyers may think extras are included.
• True color. Don't use filters. Mercari specifically recommends natural lighting so buyers see the exact color.

Camera tips for phone photos

• Wipe the lens. A smudge is the top cause of hazy photos.
• Tap the item on screen to focus, and hold still or brace your elbows.
• Shoot square or leave room around the item so a square crop doesn't cut it off.
• Hold the phone at the item's height for straight-on shots instead of looking down at it.
• Don't zoom digitally. Move closer instead.

What not to do

eBay's picture policy lists what isn't allowed, and it's good practice everywhere:

• Photos that don't show the actual item.
• Stock photos for used, damaged or defective items.
• Added borders, text, artwork or marketing material.
• Watermarks of any kind.
• Placeholder images used to send a message.

Using the same photos on several sites

If you sell on more than one marketplace, take one good set of photos and reuse it. Square images around 1600 pixels meet eBay's recommendation and clear Poshmark's suggested size, so the same set works across sites. Just put your best 12 first so the set still works on Mercari.

With ListBomb you add up to 20 photos to an item once. ListBomb turns sideways phone photos upright and resizes them to 1600 pixels on the longest side, and it can draft the title, description and a suggested price from the photos. Check the draft and fix anything that isn't right before you post.

Here's how each site is handled:

Quick checklist

1. Daylight, plain background, lens wiped.
2. Cover photo of the whole item.
3. Back, sides, label and close-ups.
4. Every flaw shown.
5. Something for scale on big items.
6. Square, around 1600 pixels, no text or watermarks.
7. Best 12 photos first.

ListBomb is free for 2 items at a time, and ListBomb Marketplace-only listings are free and unlimited. Basic is $9.99 a month and Pro is $19.99 a month.