Guide to Taking Listing Photos | Pet and Plant Photography That Looks Great Even on Smartphones

The photos on your listing page are the first information potential buyers will see, and they play a major role in determining your sales. Beautiful photos build trust, increasing click-through rates and purchase rates. Even without an expensive camera, you can take compelling listing photos with just a smartphone and a few tricks. This article explains techniques specialized for photographing animals and plants.

Lighting Setup

The quality of your photos depends most on lighting.

Using Natural Light

• Window sills on cloudy days are most suitable for photography (direct sunlight creates shadows that are too harsh)
• On sunny days, use light filtered through lace curtains
• Photos become darker when too far from windows, so shoot within 1 meter of the window
• Between 10 AM and 2 PM the light is most stable

Using Artificial Lighting

• LED ring lights are recommended for beginners as they provide even, easy-to-use light
• Position light sources at approximately a 45-degree angle above the subject
• Place white paper or reflectors on the opposite side to soften shadows (aluminum foil taped to cardboard works)
• Daylight color temperature around 5000-5500K naturally reproduces animal colors well

Lighting to Avoid

• Smartphone flash: Light is too intense, creating unnatural shadows and stressing the animal
• Fluorescent lights: Color tends to have a greenish tint
• Mixed color temperatures: Colors will not reproduce accurately

Choosing Backgrounds

The background is an important element in making your subject stand out.

Recommended Backgrounds

• White background: Provides a clean look, making animal colors stand out clearly. White poster board or PVC sheets are convenient options
• Black background: Creates a sophisticated look that makes lighter-colored animals pop. Use black fabric or felt
• Gray background: A versatile middle ground between white and black that works with any subject
• Natural background: If using the natural habitat as background, keep it organized so nothing distracting appears in the shot

Background Tips

• Iron out wrinkles and creases as they reduce photo quality
• Creating a gentle curve connecting the background and floor (known as a horizon technique) creates a professional appearance without visible seams
• Patterned backgrounds distract from the subject, so avoid them
• Choose a background color that contrasts with your subject

Composition Tips

Use compelling composition to convey your subject's features to the fullest.

Basic Composition Types

• Full-body shot: Frame the entire subject to convey size
• Close-up: Enlarge characteristic features like the head or markings
• Side shot: Angle that shows body shape and proportions
• Top-down shot: Angle where patterns are fully visible (good for fish, turtles, etc.)

Number of Photos to Take

• Prepare at least 5 photos (full body, head close-up, pattern close-up, side view, top-down, etc.)
• For plants: full plant, close-ups of flowers or leaves, photo including pot, size comparison photo
• Multi-angle photography helps buyers imagine the product better

Composition Techniques

• Positioning the subject slightly above center creates a stable appearance
• Keep the rule of thirds in mind (imagine dividing the frame into thirds vertically and horizontally, and place the subject at the intersections)
• Leave adequate white space (having the subject too close to the edges looks cramped)
• Include a ruler or coin in the shot to convey size

Color Accuracy

Making the photo colors match the real thing directly impacts credibility.

Ensuring Accurate Color Reproduction

• Set white balance to match your shooting environment, not automatic
• Photograph white paper or a dedicated gray card before shooting to adjust white balance
• Avoid excessive post-processing (over-increasing saturation makes the photo differ from reality)
• If using multiple lights, use light sources with the same color temperature

Important Notes for Smartphone Photography

• HDR (High Dynamic Range) mode can change colors, so turn it off before shooting
• Don't use filters (they create distrust in buyers)
• Make brightness adjustments while shooting, and avoid major corrections afterward

Techniques for Photographing Moving Animals

The movement of the subject is the biggest challenge when photographing animals.

Preventing Blur

• Use continuous shooting (burst mode) to capture many shots and select the best one
• Use a camera app that allows faster shutter speed settings
• Hold the smartphone firmly with both hands, keeping your elbows tucked to maintain stability
• Using a tripod or smartphone stand prevents hand blur

Calming the Animal

• Feeding the animal before shooting sometimes calms movement as it becomes full
• For cold-blooded animals (reptiles, etc.), placing them in a slightly cooler environment slows movement (be careful not to stress them)
• Moving the animal to a smaller container or photo tank makes focusing easier
• Keep shooting time as short as possible to minimize stress on the animal

Tips for Photographing Fish

• Angle the lighting diagonally to prevent glass reflection
• Using a photo tank (shallow aquarium) gets you closer to the fish, making it easier to focus
• Wipe the glass clean before shooting
• Shooting from above the water surface causes distortion, so the standard approach is to shoot horizontally through the glass

Making the Most of Attractive Listing Photos on BreederDirect

BreederDirect allows you to upload multiple photos on your listing page. Attractive photos catch buyers' eyes and directly lead to increased sales. Apply the techniques introduced in this article to showcase your animals and plants to their fullest.