Do this when taking pictures of your car for sale

So, you decided to sell your old car. You then decided to take some pictures of it, probably to put up online. In today’s online world, this is where you make or break your sale.

Let’s face it, most people who will come across your ad will probably never go past the first few pictures. In many ways then, this is more difficult than tinder. Here then, are a few tips that might help you in making an easy and profitable sale.

1) Wash your car

 

Yes, this actually needs to be said. You probably don’t care about your car but you need to show that your car has been treated like a pampered child. Use a car wash if you feel too lazy. While you’re at it, give it a wax too. And perhaps clean the interior too.

2) Location

Choose a good spot for your shoot, one where your car stands out. Look for open empty spaces where your car is not competing with other distractions. Your car needs to be the focus of every picture so a clean background helps. And of course, lighting matters. For great pictures outside, you want the sunlight low and warm. So set your photoshoot in the light of early sunrise or just before sunset. These hours are known as the golden hours in photography circles. Avoid having the photoshoot at night if you want to show the details of your car.

3) Work those angles

 

If you look at a few professionally taken pictures of cars, you’ll start to notice that a few angles are favored by all photographers. These basic angles include the front three quarters, the rear three quarters, the side, the front and the rear. Another thing to keep in mind is to take the shots from the eye level. You might even need to crouch down to get a better shot.

4) Photographing the Interiors

 

The interior is important as this is where the buyer will hopefully spend most of their time. Any buyer will want to ensure that the interior is in good condition. You, therefore, need to have pictures of the entire dashboard, the seats, the door panels and the headlining. A picture of the odometer can also be a welcome addition. To take a good picture of the dashboard, take it from the back seats while having the front seats reclined to give an unobstructed view.

5) Photographing the Engine

 

A clean engine bay is like a ring inside its box. It shows that the car has been taken care of. It also gives an idea about the condition of the mechanicals of the car.

6) Photographing the Wheels

It is rare that people want to buy a second-hand car and then spend money on buying new tires. But they won’t say no to good tires. A good or at least usable set of tires on a car can, therefore, be used as a bargaining chip in your favor. At the same time, a bald set of tires will lower the price of a car dramatically. Include some pictures of the tires to show the condition of the tread.

7) Honesty is the best policy

You cleaned the car, took a good look at it from different angles, photographed the interiors, cleaned the engine bay and checked the tread of the tires. You may have realized that your car is not in as great a condition as you thought it was. You will find many dents and scratches. You may feel that you should hide them from potential buyers. Instead, you should take pictures of these flaws and inform potential buyers of any other issues that your car may have. This transparency would avoid any unexpected disappointments that could keep you from selling your car or settling for a lower price.

If this seems like a lot of work, then you’re correct. But pictures say a thousand words. And good pictures will attract more buyers and hopefully a better price.