How to Photograph Furniture for an Online Store

Prepare the piece and the space

Dust settles in joints, under cushions and in the grain, so clean every surface before you shoot. Clear the area too, because anything in the frame pulls the eye away from the piece. Leave enough room to step back so the whole piece fits in the frame.

Light it softly

Soft, even light shows the true color and the texture of fabric and wood without deep shadows. Natural light from a large window, or an overcast day outside, does this well. Soften harsh sun with a sheet or white paper, and use a reflector to lift the shadowed side. Turn off the flash.

Choose the angle

A straight-on shot flattens a piece and hides its depth. Shoot from slightly above and to one side, so the front and one side show together. Keep the camera level so the lines of the piece stay straight. For a large piece, use the longest focal length you have, or zoom optically rather than digitally, to reduce distortion.

Shoot the same set for every piece

• A hero shot of the full piece on a plain, neutral backdrop. This is the main image.
• The back, underside and sides, so buyers see every face of the piece.
• Close-ups of joints, hardware, fabric, stitching and the grain or finish.
• A room shot that shows how the piece fits a space and how big it is, with one or two small props placed away from it.
• Condition shots of any scratch, dent, stain or wear, close up.

Be clear about condition

For used or vintage furniture, photograph the damage instead of hiding it. A close-up of a scratch or stain tells the buyer what to expect, which avoids disputes after delivery. Mention the condition in the listing text too.

Edit lightly

Straighten the frame, correct the white balance so the color matches the real piece, and remove dust or stray marks. A cleaner background is fine, but do not change the shape, color or finish of the piece.