Photography Tips for Listings

Place your models near a window on a bright (but not sunny) day. Overcast light is perfect — it is soft, even, and brings out colours accurately without harsh shadows.

Avoid photographing under a ceiling lamp. Warm artificial light makes paint jobs look orange and flattens detail.

A sheet of white or grey card (A4 is fine) placed behind and under your model removes distracting clutter and gives buyers a clear view of the miniature.

Dark or black card works well for very light models. Avoid busy surfaces like a desk, carpet, or gaming mat — they pull attention away from the model.

Hold your phone at the same height as the miniature, not looking down from above. Eye-level shots show off sculpt detail and paint work in the same way a viewer would see the model on a gaming table.

Fill the frame with the model. Leave only a small gap around the edges. Most phone cameras have a "2x" zoom that is optically sharp — use that instead of pinching in after the fact.

Portrait / bokeh mode can look nice but sometimes blurs model edges incorrectly. Standard mode is safer for small models.

The first photo is what buyers see in search results. Make it your best angle — usually front-on, in good light, showing the full model or the most impressive part of the lot.

Add a back shot and at least one side shot. Buyers want to see the rear of the model, especially for painted pieces where the back may show additional detail — or conversely, where it might be less finished than the front.

If there is a broken spear tip, chipped paint, or a poorly filled mould line — photograph it. Buyers who know what they are getting are far less likely to raise a dispute, and they will appreciate your honesty. Accurate listings build your reputation.

Lay everything out on a plain surface and take one photo of the complete lot, then individual shots of any centrepieces or characters. This helps buyers quickly understand exactly what they are getting.