Take the perfect photo to sell my car for cash

EYE OF THE BEHOLDER – Take the perfect photo to sell my car for cash

How do I take the perfect photo to sell my car for cash? In the age of digital media, striking visuals are everything when you want to sell your car. Just like the trend in ‘staging’ your house for sale, second-hand cars need to be displayed in the best light to compete against the horde of other used cars available. So how do you turn your run-of-the-mill vehicle into a dazzling wonder?

 

One of the easiest and most cost-effective ways to get your car noticed is through eye-catching photography. And no, you don’t need the latest $10,000 Canon to create obscure art-house features, the latest phones on the market have amazing inbuilt tech and generally only require the user to point and shoot. But where, when and what to point and shoot at, is the key!

 

Below are a few tips I have learnt to get my cars noticed first in a very competitive market. It’s the best way I get top cash for my used cars.

  • Lighting

Lighting is the most important aspect to good photography. Taking photos in bright sunlight may seem the best way to showcase your car’s bright colour, but it usually creates shadows, sunspots and overexposure blowouts. The perfect time is either dusk or dawn. The soft lighting is flattering to the car’s angles and deflects shadows.

  • Reflection

The quickest way to distract from your car’s design lines is a reflection on that beautifully polished surface. You have spent hours polishing your car to show its sleek lines and all the viewer can see is a distorted reflection of the neighbour’s dustbin in your hubcaps. Look at your surroundings and see what could dominate in the reflection. If you are unsure, then it is best to shoot in open areas.

  • Angles

Don’t be afraid to take the same photo from different angles to see which one looks best. For example, try shooting with a tilted horizon with the car on an angle. It gives a dynamic sleek look and is complimentary to the car’s shape. Likewise, shooting from a low position can avoid shadowing, and highlight an aspect of the car such as the badge or back lighting.

  • Location

This may not seem important when selling your family-sedan, but when you want to off load your 4WD then take a leaf out of the professionals and set the scene. Going out to the country or beach to take the photos allows the buyer to imagine their new life in their dream car. Maybe even try doing an action shot, like going through a stream or vaulting over the sand dunes. Similarly, if you have a tidy little urban run-around, then taking photos in the city and tight parking spots can really highlight the advantages of owning a small car.

  • Interior

Many people just take quick side shots of the interior without really showing the feel of the car. If the car is all about the high tech gadgetry then it is important to show the front dash display. If it’s all about comfort, then show the detailing and space. Listing its features just aren’t enough, people want to see how easy it is to use, are the dials in easy reach, what does the upholstery look like, how big is the boot? Don’t be afraid to take close up shots of the best features.

  • Go professional

All the above tips will work well for your mid to lower range vehicles. However, if you have a high-end model you want to showcase, then go professional. Even after years of taking snaps of hundreds of used cars, I still pay the pros to photograph my top brand cars – they have the knowledge and skills to highlight its best features. It is surprisingly affordable, and can cost as little as $70 for a session.

 

Overall, getting the right buyer’s attention can mean the difference between a handful of enquires and getting hundreds. Nevertheless, you will have to put time and effort into presenting your vehicle if you want it to stand out. Professional photographers can spend days getting the right shot at the right time to showcase their skills. As long as you have patience and time, the extra effort will pay off in the end.

 

And remember, if this all seems like way too much hassle then give me a call and I can give you a great deal on your vehicle. Simply advise me of the basic details of your used car by filling out the used car details form on the homepage.