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Visual tone

eBay’s photographic tone illustrates our customers’ authentic experiences around their products, passions, and communities.

A female collector stands beside a shelving unit filled with trading cards, comics, sports memorabilia, and collectible figures, with colorful artwork and a soccer jersey displayed on the wall behind them.

Art direction

The image shows a man sitting on a stool in a sophisticated, sports-themed room. He's dressed casually in a tank top and camo shorts. Around him are shelves and cabinets displaying sports memorabilia, including basketball and football jerseys, framed pictures, and sports balls. The wooden panel background and green carpet give the room a warm, vintage vibe.
Four collectible Funko Pop sellers work together in a fulfillment space, sorting, packing, and shipping boxed collectibles surrounded by stacks of figurines, shipping supplies, and packing materials.

Sketch a scene

Your scene's narrative guides all stylistic decisions in photography, ensuring real-life representation. Showcasing spaces in realistic environments and personal settings grounds them in the real world, helping customers visualize products in their own lives and fostering a stronger connection to the lifestyles and offerings we promote.

The image shows a woman with a joyful expression, sporting vibrant pink hair styled with small decorations. She wears a delicate pink cardigan with a green wavy pattern. Her makeup complements her hair with bright pink tones, and she has a cheerful, engaging smile. The background is a simple, neutral tone that highlights her colorful appearance.

Keep it real

Images should project a sense of approachability, realness, and humanity. They’re relatable, embracing imperfections and real-life moments. People’s expressions and behaviors are real and true to themselves. Embrace diversity in expressions, natural poses, and everyday contexts to capture authentic stories that feel true to a wide range of experiences.

The image shows a YSL purse on a red carpet styled with pearls, sunglasses, and an open lipstick spilling out of it as if recently dropped.

Elevate the styling

Keep in mind that the presentation of products also communicates their value. Elevate products by thoughtfully selecting high-quality props, outfits, sets with character, and overall styling that elevate the narrative.

Contextual staging

Images show angles and details of the product that are unique and desirable. Opt to show real environments that complement the story of the product and its audiences in an authentic, inspiring way.

A curated display of sports memorabilia featuring a framed basketball jersey, signed soccer ball, baseball cap, trading cards, magazine, and trophies arranged on a modern cabinet against a wood-paneled wall.

Inclusive casting

Our casting reflects our global and diverse marketplace by including customers with different ages, ethnicities, body types, gender expressions, and visible and invisible disabilities in genuine ways.

The image shows four young individuals dressed in a mix of athleisure and streetwear styles. A description of the looks: On the left, we see a dark blue jacket over a striped collared shirt, pinkish-red faded trousers, and beige sneakers. On the second Left: Blue varsity jacket with "Supreme," light-colored hoodie, light blue striped jeans, and tan Timberland-style boots. On the second right, we see a cream sweatshirt with "KITH" and graphic print, mustard brown cargo pants, and black shoes. And lastly, on the far right we see a Burgundy patterned zip-up top, dark gray flared trousers, and beige sneakers.

Natural lighting

Lighting is realistic and vibrant, but always within a natural tonal range. Always use or emulate light that feels natural to the narrative of the photo.

Two antique furniture sellers stand in a workshop preparing vintage furniture for shipment, with carved wooden table legs, packing materials, and moving supplies arranged on a worktable.
The image captures two smiling individuals posing together in front of a blue velvet curtain. The woman, on the left, is wearing a stylish coat with a leopard print bag, while the man on the right sports a sweater with a fur-like texture. Both exhibit contemporary, fashionable looks and radiate a joyful, friendly vibe.

Nighttime

In a nighttime scene, natural lighting may involve using high-flash, employing a variety of shutter speeds, or incorporating bright continuous light close to the subject to create contrast and shadows in the frame.

The image shows a stylish, small red handbag with a unique, coiled design. It is placed on a surface with a richly patterned red and black rug in the background, highlighting the bag's intricate texture and bold color.

Golden hour

Another form of natural lighting, golden hour occurs shortly after sunrise or before sunset when the sun casts warm, directional light with soft shadows, providing a universally flattering tone for diverse skin tones. It can be recreated naturally or artificially in a studio.

A seller seals an eBay shipping box with branded packing tape at a packing station, surrounded by cardboard boxes, shipping supplies, and packaging materials.

Daylight

Our go-to standard light in lifestyle, natural bright light adds warmth and a subtle storytelling element to the product, while maintaining true-to-life colors and overall appearance. This can vary from soft, diffused lighting to a high-contrast style while still maintaining a realistic appearance.

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