How to photograph your items to rent them more

You've listed your item on Lendmates but bookings are slow to come? The problem, in most cases, is the photos. A listing with clear, well-lit images receives up to 3 times more requests than one with dark or blurry photos.

You don't need professional equipment. With a smartphone and a little attention to detail, you can make all the difference in less than 15 minutes.

1. Light is everything: use natural light

The most important rule in product photography is simple: don't use the flash. Direct flash creates harsh shadows and flattens the object, making it look cheap even if it's not.

Move close to a window during mid-morning or afternoon hours, when the light is diffused. Place the item on the windowsill or on a table near the glass. If the light is too strong, a sheet of white paper as a diffuser solves the problem in seconds.

2. Clean background, item as the star

The borrower needs to immediately understand what they're looking at. A chaotic background — tiled floor, floral bedspread, stacks of books — distracts and lowers the perceived quality of the item.

Use a neutral background: a white sheet, a piece of cardboard, a light wooden floor. If you're renting sports equipment, photograph it on grass or in an outdoor setting: the context tells the story and sparks the borrower's imagination.

Background ideas by category

• Bikes and scooters: asphalt or park, outdoors
• Cameras and lenses: dark or wooden surface
• Musical instruments: wooden floor, white wall
• Camping gear: grass or picnic table
• Electronics: clean desk, neutral background

3. Shoot from multiple angles

A single photo is not enough. Borrowers want to see the item from every side before booking, just like someone walking into a physical store. Upload at least 4–6 photos for each listing:

1. Full front view
2. Side or back view
3. Detail of wear and tear (honesty = trust)
4. Any accessories included in the rental
5. Photo in "context of use" (the item in action)

4. Show the flaws: honesty pays off

This may seem counterintuitive, but photographing and describing any small scratches or dents protects you from future disputes and builds trust. A borrower who finds the item exactly as shown in the photos will almost always leave a positive review.

If you're worried that flaws will discourage rentals, remember that quality platforms — Lendmates included — handle the deposit and disputes transparently. Your goal is to build a solid reputation over time.

5. Optimize the format before uploading

Mobile apps upload photos quickly, but overly large images slow down the process. Before uploading:

• Orient the image horizontally (landscape) — it fits better in previews
• Recommended resolution: at least 1200 × 900 px
• Crop excessive empty space around the item
• Adjust brightness and contrast with your smartphone's native editor

Mistakes to absolutely avoid

To wrap up, here are the five most common mistakes we see in underperforming listings:

• ❌ Photos with visible fingers, feet, or shadows
• ❌ Messy or off-topic background
• ❌ A single photo for the entire listing
• ❌ Direct flash (reflections and flattening)
• ❌ Rotated or incorrectly oriented photos

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Improving your listing photos is probably the thing with the highest effort-to-result ratio you can do on Lendmates. Spend 20 minutes, follow these tips, and you'll see the difference in bookings within a few days.

If you don't know what to list yet, read our guide on 5 items you have at home that you could rent today. You might be surprised by how much what's sitting in your basement is worth.