How to choose the right photos for your ad

A picture paints a thousand words, and also helps you sell your car faster. That's why on carsales, you are able to upload as many photos to your ad as you wish. 

So selecting the best images to show off your car is pivotal in wowing potential buyers. Here are a few tips to help lift the quality of your photos as well as a guide on which photos to choose for your ad. 

 

CarWash_64x58.jpg

Tidy up 

Remember to give your car a clean, inside and out, before taking photos to ensure it’s looking its best. Remove any unnecessary items and rubbish that may be inside or surrounding the car too.  

 

Location_45x58.jpg

Location, location, location 

Choosing a good location and background is important for taking a good photo of your car. A good starting point by choosing a nice clean background. Avoid places where cars, light poles, bins, graffiti and other objects are part of the background. Not only do objects in the background distract the buyer from focusing on your car, they can obscure its lines and even reflect in the paintwork. 

 

Lighting_77x54.jpg

Lighting 

Photos taken at night or undercover can make your car hard to see clearly. While direct sunlight can create too much contrast for the camera and your photos will either be too dark with bright highlights, or too bright with no detail in the shadows. 
 
The best photos can be achieved by taking them on an overcast day where the entire car has consistent light, or by shooting in an area of shade.  

 

CarFront_66x52.jpg

Right angles and wrong angles 

Now for possibly the most important part of taking photos for your ad, choosing the best angles. Although creativity can be an attention-grabbing point of difference, first make sure you cover off the basics in order provide enough easy to see visuals to win over buyers. 

Try to zoom in or out until the car almost fills the screen, leaving a small area around it for balance. Whatever you do, at least one shot - the ‘main’ thumbnail photo, should show the entire car. 

 

Camera_63x58.jpg

It’s recommended that you have the following photos of your car for your ad: 

  • ¾ Front of car 
  • Full front of car 
  • ¾ Rear of car 
  • Full rear of car 
  • Side shot of car 
  • Interior - front dashboard 
  • Interior – steering wheel 
  • Interior rear seats 
  • Interior – boot space 
  • The engine 
     

We also suggest taking any photos of any features or accessories your car may have including sunroof, infotainment system/stereo, wireless charger. 

Make sure your photos are ordered in the most attractive way and rotated correctly. 

For your privacy, we may blur out your registration plate in your photos. This is an automatic feature so you don’t have to do anything extra. 

 

Related_Article_Icon_80x53.jpg

Related articles: 

How do I edit or upload my photos? 
How can I arrange my photos? 

Any information on this page is provided as a guide only. It is not professional or expert advice and is not a substitute for such advice. The content may not be appropriate, correct or sufficient for your circumstances and should not be relied on as the only reason you do or don’t do anything.
Was this article helpful?

We're sorry to hear that.

Please tell us why.

Have more questions? Submit a request