With around 3 million used cars sold each year, first impressions are everything when you’re trying to sell your vehicle. If you’re listing a used Toyota Highlander up against similar vehicles, the difference between a successful sale and being passed over could be the photos used. Properly capturing your vehicle with informative, appealing photos is essential. But how can you get great photos of your car so that others can see it in all its glory?
First off, you can put your wallet away – you don’t need to hire a photographer or buy yourself a top-of-line camera (you’re supposed to be making money after all). With the advancement of technology, it’s never been easier to capture stunning photos with just your smartphone. And when you know how to prepare your car and operate your device’s camera, you can stand out from the crowd and present your car in a way that truly wows prospective buyers.
Bad Photos
Good Photos
Here’s some tips that can help you go from novice to pro when it comes to snapping polished photos of your vehicle:
1. Clean your Car: It might seem obvious, but the first step to great car photos is a clean vehicle. Take the time to wash away any dust, dirt, or smudges. A spotless car will look much more appealing in your shots, allowing the details to shine through.
2. Choose the Right Location: A scenic backdrop can make or break a car photo. Look for a setting that complements the car without overpowering it. For instance, an open road or a beautiful overlook could be great for a sporty car like the Ford Mustang. Likewise, you could use an industrial backdrop for a powerful truck like the Chevy Silverado. Your location should enhance your vehicle, take advantage of that!
3. Use Natural Lighting to Your Advantage: Lighting is one the defining elements of photography, and car photos are no exception. The best times to shoot are during the golden hours—shortly after sunrise or before sunset—when the light is soft and warm. This natural lighting can beautifully enhance the car’s curves and lines. Avoid shooting in the harsh midday sun, as it can create unwanted shadows and glare. The last thing you want is a flat photo that looks equal parts amateur and unappealing.
4. Play with Angles and Perspectives: Don’t be afraid to get creative with your angles, prospective buyers will want to see your vehicle from all sides. Try shooting from a low angle to give the car a more imposing, dramatic look, or experiment with overhead shots for a unique perspective. Changing your viewpoint can highlight different aspects of the car’s design and make your photos more dynamic.
5. Focus on Sharpness and Depth of Field: To make sure your car is the star of the shot, use your phone’s focus and depth of field features. Tap on the car in your frame to keep it in sharp focus while gently blurring the background. This technique draws attention to the vehicle and creates a professional-looking photo.
6. Use Grid Lines for Composition: Have you ever fiddled with your camera app and turned on the gridlines feature? Part of why it exists is for this very circumstance, creating a balanced and professional shot. By using gridlines, you can help with the composition of your photo; you’ll have a helpful visual reference for where your vehicle is and won’t need to waste time with trial and error. Symmetry is the name of the game!
7. Utilize HDR Mode for Balanced Exposure: When shooting in challenging lighting conditions, such as when there are both bright and dark areas in your shot, use HDR (High Dynamic Range) mode. HDR captures multiple exposures and blends them together, ensuring that details in both the shadows and highlights are well-exposed.
8. Enhance Your Photos with Editing: After you’ve taken your photos, don’t be afraid to enhance them with some editing. Apps like Snapseed, VSCO, or Adobe Lightroom can help you fine-tune your images by adjusting brightness, contrast, and color balance. Plus, your phone also comes equipped with a variety of filters that can enhance the lighting and color of your vehicle. Even small tweaks can make a big difference in the final look of your photos. Remember though, you are selling your vehicle – don’t catfish your potential buyer!
9. Highlight the Details: Remember to take close-up shots of the car’s unique features, such as the headlights, badges, or interior elements. Your photos aren’t just about the looks but the fine details of your vehicle. These detailed shots help potential buyers have a better understanding of your car which can help them feel more confident in their purchase.
10. Use References: Sometimes the best way to get the right picture is by learning from the masters. Research similar photos of your vehicles from different dealerships or independent sellers. These can serve as helpful reference points for when you start taking your own photos. Also, while you browse these pictures, put yourself in the shoes of an interested driver. Consider what does or doesn’t work on any given photo and use what you learn to better capture your own vehicle.
Thanks to impressive strides in smartphone camera technology, and the plethora of online resources for researching the perfect picture, there’s never been a better time to take appealing, professional photos of your vehicle. Even if you’ve only taken selfies, food pics, or firework snapshots (haven’t we all), you can take phenomenal photos that’ll help you land a great return for your car.