Why Better Pictures on Poshmark Will Double Your Profit

Welcome to my luxury resale learning space! Whether you're just starting or have been flipping goods for a while, I’m thrilled to share my strategies for increasing your resale profits. Today, we’re diving into the first—and arguably most important—step of my pricing strategy: pictures.

Why Pictures Matter More Than Comps

Comps (recent sold prices) are useful but not the sole determining factor for pricing. In fact, pictures often play a bigger role in your item's perceived value. A great photo doesn’t just showcase an item—it tells a story, builds trust, and justifies a higher price.

The 5 Pieces of My Pricing Strategy

Here’s a breakdown of my pricing approach:

1. Pictures: The first and most critical step.
2. Brand Value: Understanding how the brand impacts pricing.
3. Market Value: What the current demand looks like.
4. Condition: Transparency and presentation matter.
5. Comps: A reference, but never the ultimate decider.

Today, we’re focusing on pictures because even perfect comps can’t save a poorly presented item.

The Power of Presentation: Why Pictures Matter Most

Take a look at these photos of a Chanel bag. (Picture) Which listing makes you feel confident as a buyer? A professional image immediately elevates the perceived value of an item.

 Now, compare these two pairs of shoes. (Picture) Even if the condition is identical, a polished, professional photo can sell for 50% more—or even double the price of a poorly presented item.

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Tools and Tips for Better Pictures

Want to elevate your resale game? Here are my top recommendations below. For a full list of all the items I use and love: Isa's Reseller Essentials

Equipment: Splurge vs. Steal

 

ESDDI PHOTO STUDIO LIGHT BOX, MINK OIL SUEDE TREATMENT, RING LIGHT KIT, PATENT LEATHER CLEANER, BUST FORM, HANDBAG STAND

 

SPLURGE

Lightbox: This is the exact box we use. ESDDI PHOTO STUDIO LIGHT BOX 24"/60cm

It is the single best and most important investment I made for my business. We own two of this right now and I would not trade it for the world. It is on the pricier side, but I do not skimp on business tools. I will invest in anything that will guarantee more money and bigger profits.

 

There are many lightboxes out there, some are smaller, some are less expensive and are built of plastic walls. You can experiment with whatever works for you. The reason I LOVE using this big one is because of its sturdiness, the brightness of the light, and its size.

 

I love that you can fit any accessory in there, tops, skirts and shorts, swim, and even folded jeans. In my opinion, this is the best one out there. We have had ours for over a year now and have never had an issue with them. I highly recommend this tool if you are ready to take your pics to pro level.

 

STEAL

 White Foam Board: This is a cost effective alternative if you are not ready to take the leap. You can find a way to attach them at a 90-degree angle and voila! You have yourself an all-white set up.

 

Cons: The cons of this method, and the reason we don’t use it, is because you are limited on shooting times. You must shoot during the day (unless you own photography lights, and even then, the outside lighting will affect the color of your image). You also depend on the weather. Your pictures will have different lighting and color to them depending on whether it is sunny or overcast outside.

 

When you shoot in the light box, pictures will be exactly uniform every single time.

 

SPLURGE

Ring light: We own one of these and it has been a game changer for one of my girls. One of my GCC girls lives in a very open, well-lit apartment that literally gets magical white light all over the house until pretty much sunset. My other girl lives in a beautiful house with very dim natural light no matter what time of the day it is. It was nearly impossible for her to get clothing shots unless the conditions were perfect.

 

The second we got the ring light; she was able to shoot at any time during the day! It was life changing for her because she could process her shoots no matter what was happening in the weather or world outside. Time is money. I would rather pay to make sure that we can be as efficient as possible.

 

I do not do well with limitations. I will pay to make sure that productivity can increase without outside variables.

This is the exact ring light we own and love: RING LIGHT KIT:18" 48cm

 

PHOTOGRAPHY ESSENTIALS:

 Here are a few other little knickknacks that we use to stage certain photos or pieces that need to be held in place etc.…

 

• Large Thin Wooden Board: This has also been a life saver. The same girl with the ring light has light blue/gray walls. It was very hard to get the true colors on the pictures to pop. Once we got her the board and the ring light, it was like she was shooting in a photography studio. This is the exact board we use, and she just props it against a wall. 

 

I don't have a link for this because I just went to Home Depot and bought it. It was about $30 and I had it cut down slightly smaller because it was massive. 

 

• Handbag stand: I actually just ordered this item this week and it made me question my intelligence… why did I wait until now? We have been shooting handbags on the wall and in the box, but they don’t all stand on their own. This is the tool I have needed for the past 2 years! This is the exact one I ordered: HANDBAG STAND

 

• Shoe Acrylics: These are for shoe styles that either lace up or need to be held in place. The difference with these is night and day. They help you showcase the true shape of the shoe… the way they will look when on. These are the exact shoe acrylics we own: SHOE ACRYLICS

  

• Bubble Wrap: Bubble wrap has a few different uses within my business, but we use it to stuff handbags. There is nothing worse than a limp, lifeless bag. I like our bags stuffed to a mid-point; I want my customers to see what they will look like in real life with stuff inside of them. Have you ever walked into ANY high-end store and seen an unstuffed bag in a display? NEVER!

 

• Leather Cleaners: I make sure that our items look the best they possible can, and most of the time that can start with something as simple as leather cleaners! I know most of you are familiar with the DR. MARTENS WONDER BALSAM for leather! It is a lifesaver. It literally brings shoes back to life! We absolutely use this product daily... but what about suede? or patent leather?

For suede, we use ANGELUS MINK OIL. It does the same thing for suede as Dr. Martens Wonder Balsam does for leather. It will bring it back to life. 

For patent leather we use MONEYSWORTH AND BEST PATENT LEATHER CLEANER

 

Thank you again for your time, ladies! See you next week to talk about.... THE IMPORTANCE OF BRAND AND MARKET VALUE.

xo,

 

Isa

Hold on a second there! This is important!...

 

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