Car Preparation
✅ Spotlessly clean — ready to shoot
Ensure the car is clean — wipe dust, fingerprints, and smudges before photographing.
Keep all doors, boot, and bonnet closed unless photographing the interior or boot.
Turn the steering wheel straight before any exterior shot.
❌ Mud and dirt — never photograph like this
Don't photograph a dirty or dusty car — mud, dust, and handprints ruin the listing.
Don't leave windows half-open — either fully closed or fully open.
Don't allow personal belongings of staff or customers in the car during the shoot.
Camera & Setup
✅ Eye-level = natural perspective
Hold the camera at eye-level for exterior shots (about 4–5 ft) and chest-level for interior shots.
✅ Full car — every corner in frame
Stand far enough so the whole car fits in frame — all four wheels and bumpers visible.
Use gridlines & tilt indicators to keep the camera level and car centered.
Keep the lens clean — wipe before starting every session.
❌ Too high or too low — distorts the car
Don't shoot from too high or too low — distorts the car shape and looks unnatural.
❌ Car cut off — bumpers and roof missing
Don't stand too close — the car gets cut off at the edges.
Don't tilt the camera — photos must be straight, never diagonal.
Don't use digital zoom — move closer physically instead.
Photography Angles
✅ 3/4 front diagonal — the hero angle
Shoot from a 3/4 front diagonal angle (45° from the front corner) — this is the hero shot that shows the front, side, and wheel all at once.
✅ Side profile — shows the full silhouette
Include a clean side profile shot — stand exactly 90° to the side, keep the camera level, and ensure all four wheels are visible.
✅ Complete 360° coverage (Shows 5 of 8 key angles)
Cover all 8 key exterior angles for a complete listing: front-left 3/4, front-right 3/4, driver side profile, passenger side profile, straight front, straight rear, rear-left 3/4, and rear-right 3/4.
❌ Head-on only — flat, shows no depth
Don't shoot straight-on from the front as your main shot — it looks flat, boring, and hides the car's shape and depth.
❌ Tilted horizon — always keep camera level
Don't tilt or rotate the camera — the horizon must always be perfectly level. A tilted shot looks amateur and untrustworthy.
❌ Extreme angles — always distorts the car
Don't shoot from extreme low or high angles — they distort the car's proportions and look unnatural.
Shoot Exterior
Take photos from all sides — front, back, left, right, and both corner diagonals.
Make sure all four wheels are visible and the car is perfectly level in frame.
✅ Soft morning light
Shoot in morning or evening golden-hour light for the most flattering result.
Always keep the sun behind you (behind the camera) while shooting — this lights the car evenly from the front and avoids harsh glare, silhouettes, or washed-out images.
❌ Car cut off at top and bottom
Don't cut off the roof, wheels, or bumpers — the whole car must be in frame.
❌ Harsh noon sunlight
Don't shoot at midday — overhead sun causes harsh glare and deep black shadows.
Don't point the camera into direct sunlight — it turns the car into a dark silhouette with blown-out highlights in the background. The sun should always be behind the camera, never in front of it.
Don't tilt the camera — keep it perfectly level at all times.
Shoot Interior
✅ Clean cabin, doors open wide
Open doors fully for maximum light and to show the full cabin space.
Make sure the dashboard and infotainment screen are clearly visible and unobscured.
Ensure all seats are clear, clean, and tidy before photographing.
❌ Clutter destroys buyer confidence
Don't photograph with personal items, bags, or rubbish left inside the car.
Don't take dark or poorly lit interior shots — use doors open for natural light.
Don't leave windows half-open in any interior shot.
Shoot Close-Ups
✅ Sharp, readable detail shots
Capture badges, logos, alloy wheels, odometer, infotainment screen, headlights, and seats.
Make sure the odometer numbers are fully readable and not in shadow.
Physically move closer to the subject — never use digital zoom.
❌ Blurry & unreadable — always retake
Don't submit blurry or out-of-focus close-up shots — retake immediately.
Don't let shadows fall across key details like the badge or odometer.
Don't use digital zoom — produces pixelated, unprofessional shots.
Where to Shoot
✅ Plain background — car is the hero
Park in a clean, open space with a simple, uncluttered background.
Ensure the ground is flat so the car doesn't appear tilted.
❌ Messy background kills the listing
Don't shoot near trash bins, crowds, or messy backgrounds — they distract from the car.
Don't park next to mirrors, glass walls, or shiny surfaces that reflect the car.
When to Shoot
✅ Soft morning/evening — best results
Shoot in the morning (7–10am) or evening (4–7pm) — soft golden-hour light makes cars look premium.
Overcast (cloudy) days also work great — the clouds act as a giant diffuser.
❌ Harsh noon sunlight
Don't shoot at midday (11am–3pm) — the overhead sun creates ugly glare and deep shadows.
Don't shoot in rain, poor visibility, or very low light after sunset.
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The Golden Rule
Every photo should make the car look clean, straight, and ready to sell.
If the photo looks like something you wouldn't want to see in an ad — retake it.