How to photograph your item

The basics: every photo

• Use daylight; avoid lamp light and flash (they distort colour and cast shadows).
• Keep it sharp and steady — in focus, ideally on a tripod.
• Show only the item; no other or distracting objects in frame.
• Use a neutral, uniform background so the item stands out.
• Photograph from all sides — back, top, bottom and sides, not just the front.
• Clean the item before shooting.
• Add a scale reference (e.g. a measuring tape) for unusually sized items, kept unobtrusive.
• Show wear and damage clearly — and mention it in the description.
• Your first photo is the cover — lead with the clearest, best angle.
• Avoid self-portraits and reflections on shiny surfaces.
• Don't edit colour — only crop and straighten.
• Give the defining details their own close-ups: marks, serials, signatures, labels and tags.
• For multi-item lots, include one overview shot of everything together, with any certificates.

Trading cards

Front and back filling the frame, plus corner/edge close-ups and any serial. (6–12 photos)

Required shots

• Front

  Lead photo: the front straight-on, filling the frame on a neutral background.

• Back

  The whole back, same framing as the front — flip it over and shoot straight-on.

Recommended

• Corners & edges

  Tight shots of each corner and the edges — this is where whitening, dings and fraying show.

• Serial / edition number

  A legible close-up of the serial / numbered-edition print.

• Signature close-up

  Fill the frame with the autograph so the strokes are sharp.

• Flaw / defect

  Show every flaw up close — honesty here prevents disputes and builds trust.

Tickets

Front and back, with close-ups of any serial/seat detail, signatures, and creases or tears. (3–6 photos)

Required shots

• Front

  Lead photo: the front straight-on, filling the frame on a neutral background.

• Back

  The whole back, same framing as the front — flip it over and shoot straight-on.

Recommended

• Serial / edition number

  A legible close-up of the serial / numbered-edition print.

• Signature close-up

  Fill the frame with the autograph so the strokes are sharp.

• Flaw / defect

  Show every flaw up close — honesty here prevents disputes and builds trust.

Posters & prints

The full front (use a frameless shot for the cover), the reverse, and corner/edge close-ups where creases, tears and restoration show. (4–8 photos)

Required shots

• Front

  Lead photo: the front straight-on, filling the frame on a neutral background.

• Back

  The whole back, same framing as the front — flip it over and shoot straight-on.

• Corners & edges

  Tight shots of each corner and the edges — this is where whitening, dings and fraying show.

Recommended

• Flaw / defect

  Show every flaw up close — honesty here prevents disputes and builds trust.

• Signature close-up

  Fill the frame with the autograph so the strokes are sharp.

Jerseys & shirts

Front, and the back showing number + name; close-ups of the crest, size/brand tag, patches, signatures and wear. (5–9 photos)

Required shots

• Front

  Lead photo: the front straight-on, filling the frame on a neutral background.

• Back (number & name)

  The back of the shirt showing the number and nameplate clearly.

Recommended

• Crest / badge

  A close-up of the crest/badge — stitching quality matters to buyers.

• Size / brand tag

  The inner tag showing size and brand, plus any authenticity tag.

• Patches

  Close-ups of any sponsor, league or commemorative patches.

• Signature close-up

  Fill the frame with the autograph so the strokes are sharp.

• Flaw / defect

  Show every flaw up close — honesty here prevents disputes and builds trust.

Balls

All sides / 360°, with close-ups of signatures, the brand stamp, any COA, and scuffs or wear. (5–9 photos)

Required shots

• All sides

  Walk around the item: front, back, top, bottom, left, right — bidders want every angle.

Recommended

• Signature close-up

  Fill the frame with the autograph so the strokes are sharp.

• Maker's mark / stamp

  Close-ups of the maker's mark, brand stamp or model number.

• Certificate of authenticity

  Photograph the full COA or authentication letter, readable.

• Flaw / defect

  Show every flaw up close — honesty here prevents disputes and builds trust.

Equipment

Every side, with close-ups of the maker/model mark, signatures, condition/wear and any COA. (5–9 photos)

Required shots

• All sides

  Walk around the item: front, back, top, bottom, left, right — bidders want every angle.

Recommended

• Maker's mark / stamp

  Close-ups of the maker's mark, brand stamp or model number.

• Signature close-up

  Fill the frame with the autograph so the strokes are sharp.

• Condition / wear

  Close-ups of scuffs, scratches and general wear on used gear.

• Certificate of authenticity

  Photograph the full COA or authentication letter, readable.

Memorabilia

The object from every side; include signatures, the COA/provenance, any marks, defects and original packaging. (≥5 photos)

Required shots

• All sides

  Walk around the item: front, back, top, bottom, left, right — bidders want every angle.

Recommended

• Signature close-up

  Fill the frame with the autograph so the strokes are sharp.

• Certificate of authenticity

  Photograph the full COA or authentication letter, readable.

• Maker's mark / stamp

  Close-ups of the maker's mark, brand stamp or model number.

• Flaw / defect

  Show every flaw up close — honesty here prevents disputes and builds trust.

• Original packaging

  The original box/packaging and anything that came with the item.

Autographs

The full signed item plus a tight signature close-up; include any COA or proof of signing. (3–6 photos)

Required shots

• Full item

  The whole item the signature sits on, so buyers see what they're getting.

• Signature close-up

  Fill the frame with the autograph so the strokes are sharp.

Recommended

• Certificate of authenticity

  Photograph the full COA or authentication letter, readable.

• Proof of signing

  If you have a signing photo or proof, include it.

• Flaw / defect

  Show every flaw up close — honesty here prevents disputes and builds trust.

Graded & certified items

If your item is professionally graded or slabbed, add these on top of the shots above.

• Grading label

  Photograph the slab label so the grader, grade and certification number are all readable.

• Slab front

  The full front of the holder, no glare on the plastic.

• Slab back

  The full back of the holder, including any barcode/cert sticker.