Selling clothes

[jessicadazzler97]

 Hi all,

 I've been wondering lately about how best to present clothes in photos. For the last year I've either just laid the item on a rug, or hung it up behind my door - but I'm not really satisfied with how the presentation turns out. 

 I'd like to get a dressmakers dummy/mannequin to display the clothes on properly, but it would be great to hear what you guys think. What do you find works for you? Do you think 'fancy' photos with a mannequin are better, or are door/floor photos ok? Which have you had the most success with?

[phorum_junkie*]

I have three hollow back half body forms, children's, 'normal'. and plus size which I use for tops, dresses etc. I have a mesh screen fixed to the wall with a sheet in front and hang the forms in front of that. For skirts and pants I hang at the waist then pin the skirt/pants to the mesh : Not one of my best but you get the idea.

[jessicadazzler97]

That's an interesting idea, thanks 🙂

[kopenhagen5]

I was going to suggest the same.

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Hanging-Female-Mannequin-Skin-Colour-/181577455507?hash=item2a46dc1793

[saarzi · Accepted solution]

In my opinion, hanging clothes on a door, or on the carpet or rug (especially if its dark or multicoloured), gives me the impression of, unprofessional, grotty/ dirty, seller couldnt care less, poor quality and clueless. Whether thats true or not, isnt really the point. It turns buyers off.

Youve posted in a post here before about this, and almost everyone recommended you have light coloured, clear, clean backgrounds. The peice of clothing needs to be the focus of the photo - not the old carpet or kitchen cupboard.

Dont you have a light coloured wall somewhere with a picture hook you can hang things on so they look a little better presented?

If you dont, and if I was you, I'd be ironing a clean white sheet, lying that on the floor, and arranging the clothes to be photographed on that. OR.. just crop out the door in MSPaint (or something) - see attached, your red dress.

The clothes you have on a clear background - like THIS one, look great. If you can get them all to look similar, theres no need for a mannequin. 

[jessicadazzler97]

Thanks for your advice saarzi 🙂

[negron18]

there are quite a few good 2nd hand manequins that you can purchase. Either full body ones or half body ones for a cheap price Also with photoshop programs these days or even just using a white background or large white tablecloth on a large table makes it a bit more presentable if not using manequins.

[lane-ends]

If you want to photograph something flat use a board, propped up at say 45degrees or so against a table or chair etc. Peg a material backing sheet over this. Lay your item on it. The material will help stop it sliding down, and being at an angle you can take a photo closer to perpendicular to the item, this avoids that obvious angled floor shot.

You can use this same board and backing leaning close to vertical for hanger or body form shots too.

Then crop the photo so item takes up all the frame

[jessicadazzler97]

Great idea! 🙂

[jessicadazzler97]

Thanks for all the suggestions guys! 🙂

I think I'll be going with the door for now - a mannequin can come later. You've all been really helpful.

[lane-ends]

A sheet over the door would help, and it also prevents the paint gloss from affecting lighting exposure on camera.