Furniture photographs badly for two reasons: the room it is in, and the angle people shoot it from.
The shot that sells
Three-quarter view, whole piece, taken from roughly its own height rather than standing over it. Looking down at furniture distorts the proportions and makes everything look smaller.
The shot that prevents the dispute
A tape measure in frame, and the top under raking light — rings, scratches and heat marks appear only when the light runs across the surface.
The list
- Three-quarter whole, from its own height
- Straight on, for proportions
- Top under raking light
- Drawers out, doors open
- Underside and back
- Feet, and any wobble on video
- Tape measure, at least once
- Every mark and repair
Background
Clear the room first. A sofa photographed with a drying rack behind it sells for less, and that is not a photography problem — it is a tidying problem.
Light
Daylight through a window, from the side. Overhead room lights flatten everything and turn polished surfaces into mirrors.
Homeware
Plain background, soft light, scale in frame, and close shots of chips, crazing and hairlines. Glass needs light bounced rather than pointed.
What goes wrong
Shooting in a dark room with a flash, cropping so size cannot be judged, and photographing only the good side of a table top. Common mistakes.
Questions people ask
Should I photograph it in situ?
One frame in context, then plain shots.
How do I show a drawer runs smoothly?
Video, with a hand on it.
Does the delivery position belong in the photographs?
In the listing text. But if it is collection-only, say so in the first line.
More: selling homeware, describing furniture.