How to take great photos to sell your car better
Is it time to part with your vehicle? Whether you're trading it in at the dealership or selling it yourself, we've already provided tips on how to increase the value of your vehicle in a previous article.
If you choose to place an ad on various websites and social networks, we'd like to stress the importance of displaying your car, SUV or pickup truck with beautiful photos that will catch the attention of potential buyers and entice them to want to take a test drive, not to say convince them on the spot. Because, as the saying goes, a picture is worth a thousand words!
And before we go any further, while it's best to use a real camera, today's phones can do the job amply. The key is the object in the photo.
The first thing to do, of course, is to give the vehicle a thorough cleaning, inside and out. Shine the tires and remove any stickers, labels or personal effects, so that the buyer immediately sees it as a turnkey model.
When it's done, ideally wait for a time of day or week when the sunlight is favorable, i.e. it won't create large reflections on the bodywork or glazing that obscure certain details. A cloudy (but not too dark!) sky can be even better.
If it's absolutely essential that the shoot takes place on a very clear day, you should position the vehicle so as to minimize deep shadows caused by direct sunlight - in other words, shoot from the sunny rather than the shady side. If necessary, using a flash can add light to dark areas and minimize reflections. Try it out for size.
After the moment, you need to think about the location. Avoid the driveway or the side of the street, and find a clear spot with no distracting objects around and a good contrasting background that will make your vehicle stand out and be the center of attention. As you'll need to take shots from different angles (not just the front three-quarters!) and different parts, don't hesitate to reposition it to always ensure you get the best background and lighting.
Many people make the mistake of photographing the vehicle too closely, which creates a distorted image of sorts, and therefore a poor representation. It's better to stand back and use the zoom to get a close-up shot. It's also a good idea to kneel to show the vehicle at eye level.
Take the time to set up your camera or phone for optimum image quality and resolution. It's better for illustrating details, and easier when you need to edit photos before posting them. In the same vein, it's better to take more shots than fewer, both indoors and outdoors, to have a better selection at the end. Often, you can only see the results clearly on a computer screen.
Enjoy your photo shoot, and have a great sale!
