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Etsy Insights: Styling vintage listing photos
Hey there,
I'm Sue and my vintage business is TheHeirloomShoppe. I started my business back in 2012 when I was laid off from my job. I love the farmhouse look and am always looking for items to fit that vintage style. I love the entire vintage process from the hunt, to photographing/editing to listing. I have a background in photography so that part comes very easy for me. Here are some styling tips that work well for me:
Find your signature props: When I am setting up my items I like to include some kind of flower in the photo, fresh or dried. It just adds a bit of softness and makes my photos a bit more appealing to the eye. A few years ago I found a tin ceiling tile from another Etsy seller and have been using it as my background ever since. It gives a cohesiveness to my shop and hopefully instant recognition. I don't really change things up much either. I like what I have going on in my shop and as the saying goes, "If it ain't broke, don't fix it."
Aim for simplicity: I always photograph next to a window, as that's the most natural way. I am all about keeping things simple. In my small home I have to take my set up down when I'm photographing so my photos aren’t cluttered with gadgets. I think that once one figures out their "look" it all comes fairly easily.
Bonus tip: I also don't list something unless I have a box for it. Seems silly but with so many different sized items I just have to have the right box before I list. The final and consistent thing I do with my items is always box them up the same neat and tidy way. I always enclose a business card with a hand-written thank you on the back. I have stickers with my logo on them that I use when closing up the box. Everything always looks like a gift when the buyer opens their box.
What’s your favorite trick for styling your listing photos?
(Image by the author)
VintageWearTreasures
·5 years agoI use natural light from the window. I start early in the day with the best light. I learned the hard way. Been redoing old photos a little at a time.
vintage19something
·5 years agoI think a sameness across all of your photos is the key for the shop to look professional. Everyone wants their shop to look cute and I do as well but I wouldn't stress over it too much because MOST (not all) customers will not be going to our shops to look around. They are seeing items in search results mixed up with dozens of other shops. Some don't even realize there are "shops".
EightMileVintage
·5 years agoMy stats say exactly that about buyers looking at a listing, not at the whole shop. I once sold to a lovely gentleman who thought I ran the entire Etsy site. If I did, it would be called Eightsy.
SharpNeedleCreations
·5 years agoI have found that it is difficult with vintage items to ship, Everything has a different shape, size, weight .and it never fails I'm on the east coast and the buyer is in NM or the west coast or even Canada. How do you give them a fair shipping cost? Nancy Sharpneedlecreations.etsy.com
vintage19something
·5 years agoYou should use the Etsy Calculated shipping option. You put in the weight and box size and when the item is purchased, Etsy calculates the cost to ship from you to the customer. It works perfectly.
HobsonHandbags
·5 years agoReally great tips! Thanks for sharing.
Photography is all new to me. Although I struggle with it, I's been exciting to learn, practice and to see my progression. I sell a wide range of items, so I give myself permission to use whatever props, background needed to make my item look it's best. I have a collection of go-to props that I rotate to try to create unique vignettes, while also keeping some consistency with the overall aesthetic of my shop.
CraftyKirbateer
·5 years agoHi Sue, great advice thanks. I've only recently started selling and it's great to hear other peoples advice.
MyChouChou
·5 years agoThanks! These are great tips! I need to get better and more creative with backgrounds : )
FlatRockGoods
·5 years agoI also sometimes use props but lately I've been striving to not use them in the first photo. However, on Instagram I do the opposite.
@EightMileVintage love the background you use in your photos.
@TheHeirloomShoppe thanks for sharing your insights.
UrbanUpcycledDesigns
·5 years agoYour styling is really consistent and impressive. It's been four months I have started this business. I try to be consistent as well and get feedbacks from people around me who love to shop on Etsy or similar platforms. But, my efforts are not rapidly reflected on sales. I really appreciate if you check my vintage living collection and share your valuable feedbacks. https://www.etsy.com/shop/UrbanUpcycledDesigns?ref=seller-platform-mcnav§ion_id=34050285&page=1#items Thank you so much!
ShuttlesworthShop
·5 years agoThank you for sharing
ArtStarRug
·5 years agoSelam ben etys satış yapıyorum ama hep aşağıda kalıyor en yükseklere nasıl çıkabilirim teşekkür ederim
That70sChickVintage
·5 years ago@ OP- Your background in photography really shows, and you definitely have a nice, cohesive look to your shop & items!
I vary my backgrounds & props. I have a shabby moveable shelf where I can use both sides, front or back; same with a handmade rustic wood partial “fence” Sometimes just a plain white backdrop as I find it highlights that particular item. Sometimes throw in an air or other plant or stack of old books for props and /or use vintage ruler for scale. For me, I get bored with shooting the same backdrops… I gotta mix it up, though I can see where that would help in terms of shop recognition,
Sometimes props, sometimes not, depending on what I’m photographing and how I’m feeling about it. I’ve read that a clutter free light background reads easier on Google and such, so I try to keep that in mind.
I do have issues with lighting even though we have natural light coming through the window- sometimes not enough.
I feel like I spend too much time editing photos because of this. I’ve tried the studio lights, but I can’t get that quite down- it seems to make my items look flat/ “dead” so don’t use often.
Curious OP, do you use a digital camera or IPhone to shoot your pics?
it’s really nice to see a successful shop that doesn’t do “free” shipping & and bucks the system that says just use the clean white backdrop for item recognition / AI Google.
All this to say, it’s always a work in progress for me.
Thanks for the tips! Curious how much you spend on materials to make your items look like the customer is receiving a gift and do you figure that into the price? I try to keep my packaging neat, tidy and secure, but am inconsistent with the ways I do that.
Odecolife
·5 years agoHello,
while taking photos we generally try to let to people feel the spirit of places with our products. We are producing wooden retro products like coffee table, lightboxes for classic movie posters, restorating antiques and vintage products for common uses. I think white backround photos are necessary for showing details of products. We use this techniques by using photoshop program for our web site pictures. www.odecolife.com
However for instagram photos; we place our product in a room of house or in front of a bar. Because we aim to show people how our products are really look like in real life. https://www.instagram.com/p/CRHIOcHrSYM/?utm_medium=copy_link
This is our marketing strategy for our products. It works i think. But if you have comments please share with me. I would be so happy if you may check my instagram profile and web site. please share your comments with me. So important for me. Thank you!
LookBackVintage
·5 years agoI totally agree with you about boxes, especially since the USPS implemented dimensional pricing. It's one of the things about selling vintage that I truly dislike. I can't tell you how many times I frantically searched for just the right size box. A too big box can cost more to ship, and a too small box might cause breakage. Your pics are lovely! I style some of my pics with my favorite props, books, plants, fruit. It takes a lot of time to get it right and I'm still working at it. Been going simpler lately though, it's just easier and less time consuming
edfksd
·5 years agoI have so much to learn from you guys in photography and in this business. Thanks for sharing
TheSewingGin
·5 years agoThank you for your ideas and spot-on information.
TheGildedTassel
·5 years agoLovely tips!
Thanks for sharing.
EightMileVintage
·5 years agoI'm sad to add this bit of advice but it's necessary. Many buyers just look at the photos so if you use props in your photos, make sure it's clear in the listing that those are just props and are not included in the purchase.
mailordervintage
·5 years agoIt made me smile to read that you make sure you have a box for the item before listing...that is such a good point....I have been frantic at times to find the right size box and now do the same thing... I also love your photos...good point about a flower in the photo...I have often added some beads to my linens and also thought it softened up the picture but I will try the flower idea as well...
TheHeirloomShoppe
OP5 years agoI ship many of my items in the free USPS boxes you can get on their website. The 12x12x8 and 7x7x6 boxes are wonderful.
Pincapallina
·5 years agoLovely Photography! I like the tile
TallTimberAntiques
·5 years agoThank you for sharing your tips, Sue, they are a reminder to keep things cohesive yet unique. Your shop is marvelous & your photos are very appealing! You have inspired me to try harder with my photos
TheHeirloomShoppe
OP5 years agoThank you very much, and good luck to you!!
VikingWarriorCo
·5 years agoWhat a stunning display! Definitely going to need to remember these tips for antiques.
RosemaryAbby
·5 years agoThank you for sharing your wonderful photo tips and knowledge! I will take your advice and rethink how I take my photos. You have lovely items, for sure.
TheHeirloomShoppe
OP5 years agoThank you Rosemary, our shops are always evolving and change always happens
EightMileVintage
·5 years ago@TheHeirloomShoppe Lovely shop. Your photos are really well set up.
In my shop, I use a variety of set ups, depending on what the item is but generally I keep it pretty simple. One of the best investments I made was in a grey graduated colour background. It has a matte surface and makes it super easy to photograph things. It's my go-to for things that look like they will cause photography grief.
The other thing I like using in my shop are my fake apples and lemons. They give an idea of scale and bring colour to a photograph. Sometimes I spray them with water to make them more realistic.
I used to have 2 air plants that I liked to include in photos but darned if I didn't kill them both. I think it best I stick to fake things.
The natural light in my house is inconsistent and I got tired of chasing it and having bad photo sessions. I use studio lights and photograph in my basement on an old desk. My mess is now out of the way and I don't have to put anything away when I finish my shots.
Mycyberattic
·5 years agowhere did you get the background from?
EightMileVintage
·5 years ago@Mycyberattic It's a Flotone graduated background that I got online from B&H Photo. https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/search?Ntt=flotone&N=0&InitialSearch=yes&sts=ma
I have the grey, black and one of the blues. I've tried all 3 but I now just use the grey one. The matte surface really helps with photos. It gets marked up pretty easily and they say clean it with soap and water. I didn't find that worked. I use a metal cleaner called Peek to clean off the marks now.
TallTimberAntiques
·5 years agoYour photographs are STUNNING - and made me realize I have to try harder! I bought a Lightbox & a plain white background it isn't always the best way or the most flattering to the object... no matter what Google "prefers".
EightMileVintage
·5 years ago@TallTimberAntiquesThank you.
I read a buyer psychology article once that said the human eye gets bored/tired if viewing all white backgrounds for any length of time. Since white backgrounds never worked for me, it was all I needed to abandon them for something different.
SandhillHouseVintage
·5 years agoEightMileVintage: Great tips, love your shop photos. Who knew backgrounds came in gradients--thanks!
What sort of light set up do you use?
EightMileVintage
·5 years ago@SandhillHouseVintage You can see it in this photo. I have 2 softboxes on stands that came in a kit on Amazon. The rectangular light on the left is an LED with various levels of warmth and brightness.
https://i.etsystatic.com/icm/a83c3f/355190270/icm_fullxfull.355190270_kuau4mhgabkwsko40o8g.jpg?version=0
Kleighvintage
·5 years ago@EightMileVintage Wow, I really like your shop photos, everything looks so very visually pleasing.
I also love B&H Photo, I have ordered a lot from their store over the years.
EightMileVintage
·5 years ago@Kleighvintage Thank you!
CoquetteBath
·5 years agogeeze, no wonder my photos are so awful. I have nothing like the setup you have!
EightMileVintage
·5 years ago@CoquetteBath There's nothing wrong with your photos!!
I had to think about whether I wanted to move to the basement since I look out over a gorgeous lake. But it was just too frustrating to get good photos using the natural light here. Those lighting kits were reasonably priced and were a great investment in my protecting my sanity.
CoquetteBath
·5 years ago@EightMileVintage
well, you are being kind. I think they are decent but not good. The lighting changes so much. And using natural light is hard. It is either so hot we can't be outside (and the bugs...ugh) or too late, so the light isn't good (especially in winter). I've bought 3 different light tents over the years...awful.
I think it has to be lighting. Just do not have a basement (we don't get those in Texas due to our soil) and no free room. Yes, kvetching...but I'm getting inspired to try a few new things.
EightMileVintage
·5 years ago@CoquetteBath Do you use an editing program on your photos? I couldn't take photos without editing them in Photoscape. The desk in my photo has now been replaced with a desk that has a side return and I put my laptop on the return so I can download photos as I go and edit them. Sharpen, Brighten, Contrast, Crop are my best tools.
CoquetteBath
·5 years agooh you wouldn't want to see them until after I ran them through befunky....
EightMileVintage
·5 years ago@CoquetteBath I could show you some seriously awful photos. There should be a contest thread in the forums for "Show Us Your Awful Photos".
RusticBucketsSouth
·5 years agoYou have beautiful photos. I like to keep the background plain. I have tried different backgrounds and I either use the outdoors or solid black or white. I use a small item to provide scale. I used to use multiple little props but buyers were confused and thought they would get everything in the vignette so went back to black or white. I also find an uncluttered photo gives Google search a clear picture. Thanks for the thread. Interesting perspectives!
Mycyberattic
·5 years agoAgree quite lovely, sometimes I will shoot pictures of large items outside but you have to be careful since some buyers think that the item you are selling is then outside friendly. I sometimes add not outside friendly, take in from outside during cold months, ect.
I also like shooting against marble to give my item a rich look instead of it looking like an used item.
I think my signature look is adding plants to the background.
You have to be careful that the picture is not too cluttered so the algorithms know what it is. (something I am working on)
BoxRoomBazaar
·5 years agoYour photos are really lovely Sue. Great tips.
EightMileVintage
·5 years agoYour items are adorable!