How to photograph books for selling online: shoot the front cover face-on in soft daylight with no glare, then the back cover, spine, copyright page, page edges and every flaw. Most used books need 6 to 10 photos at 1600 px or more; rare and first editions need 12 or more, including the number line and dust jacket price.
Book buyers want to know three things: is this the right edition, what condition is it in, and is everything there? A single cover shot answers none of them for a used copy. This guide covers the photos every book listing needs, how to beat glare on glossy covers and plastic jackets, how to show edition and condition, what eBay and Amazon expect, and how to shoot stacks and bundles.
- Front cover: face-on, square to the camera, in soft daylight, filling most of the frame.
- Glare: light from the side, never from behind the camera, and tilt the book slightly.
- Edition: photograph the copyright page; for first editions, the number line and jacket price.
- Condition: spine, corners, page edges, inscriptions, highlighting and stains, each shown clearly.
- Bundles: one group shot with every spine readable, plus a photo of each cover.
What photos do you need to sell a book online?
At minimum: front cover, back cover, spine and copyright page. Add condition close-ups and, for collectible books, edition details. Here's a shot list by book type.
| Shot | Common used book | Collectible / first edition | Textbook |
|---|---|---|---|
| Front cover | Yes | Yes, with and without jacket | Yes |
| Back cover | Yes (shows ISBN barcode) | Yes | Yes |
| Spine | Yes | Yes, plus spine ends close-up | Yes |
| Copyright page | Recommended | Required (number line, printing) | Yes (edition matters) |
| Page edges / block | Yes | Yes (foxing, toning) | Yes (water damage) |
| Inside pages | Any writing or highlighting | Signatures, inscriptions, plates | Highlighting extent |
| Dust jacket flap | If present | Price corner (clipped or not) | Rarely |
| Flaws | Every one | Every one, close up | Every one |
| Extras | Bookmarks, slipcase | Slipcase, certificate | Access codes, CDs |
Phone photos are far bigger than marketplaces need, so size is rarely the problem. Sharpness, glare and color are. For a simple home setup, see taking product photos with your phone.
How do you photograph a book cover without glare?
Light the cover from the side and tilt it slightly so reflections bounce away from the lens. Glossy paperbacks, laminated covers and protective plastic jacket covers act like mirrors, and the classic mistake is a bright white patch over the title.
- Use a window to one side, not behind you. Turn off ceiling lights.
- Stand the book up against something, or lay it flat with the phone directly above it on a tripod or a stack of books.
- Tilt the book 5–10° away from the window if you still see a bright patch.
- Hold a white card on the shadow side to even out the light.
- Turn off flash. It always reflects straight back from a glossy cover.
- Square it up: line the cover edges with your phone's grid so the book isn't a trapezoid. Shooting from further back at 2× zoom reduces distortion.
For books in plastic jacket covers, some glare is normal. Take one photo with the cover on and, if it's removable without risk, one without it. Our guide to photographing reflective products explains how cards and angles control reflections in more detail.
How do you show which edition a book is?
Photograph the copyright page clearly. It shows the publisher, the year and usually the printing. Collectors and textbook buyers check it before anything else.
- Number line: a row of numbers such as "10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1". The lowest number usually shows the printing; a "1" often means first printing, though publishers vary.
- Edition statement: words such as "First Edition" or "First Printing".
- Dust jacket price: photograph the top corner of the front flap. A clipped price affects value on collectible books.
- Signatures and inscriptions: close-up, flat, in even light.
- Textbooks: the edition number on the cover and copyright page, plus any "Instructor's edition" or "International edition" wording.
Hold the book open with a book weight or a heavy, flat object at the edge of the frame, and shoot from directly above so the text isn't skewed. If the photo looks soft, step back slightly and use 2× zoom; phones often lose focus when very close to flat text.
How do you photograph book condition and flaws?
Show every flaw in its own photo, with side light so dents, creases and stains are visible. Honest condition photos prevent returns and "not as described" claims, which matter more for books than almost anything else because buyers grade them closely.
| Flaw | How to photograph it |
|---|---|
| Bumped or worn corners | Close-up of each corner, light from the side |
| Spine creases or lean | Spine face-on, then the book standing to show lean |
| Foxing and toning (brown spots, yellowing) | Page edges and a sample page in daylight |
| Water damage or warping | Book lying flat, shot from the side |
| Highlighting and notes | A sample spread, plus the worst page |
| Torn or chipped dust jacket | Each tear close up, jacket flat |
| Ex-library marks | Stamps, pockets, stickers and barcodes |
| Remainder mark | Bottom page edge |
Shoot condition photos in daylight; yellow indoor light makes white pages look aged. Never edit flaws out. Cleaning up the background is fine; changing the book is not.
Put your front-cover shot on a clean white background in a 2000×2000 square, with the cover kept exactly as you photographed it.
Clean up a cover photo7 days free · 50 credits · No credit cardWhat are the photo rules for selling books on eBay and Amazon?
On eBay you take your own photos, up to 24 per listing. On Amazon, used books are usually listed against an existing catalog page, so buyers see the publisher's cover image and rely on your condition note.
| Platform | Photos | What to know |
|---|---|---|
| eBay | Up to 24; 500 px minimum, about 1600 px recommended | Catalog cover images may appear for common titles, but photos of the actual copy are the safe choice for used books. No text or watermarks on photos. |
| Amazon (used books) | Usually the catalog image | Condition is described in your offer's condition note. Some sellers report adding condition photos in certain categories; check Seller Central for your account. |
| Amazon (your own books) | Main image on pure white plus more | Publishers and authors manage images on their own listing; main image rules apply. |
| Mercari, Facebook Marketplace | Up to 12 and 10 | Square photos; cover first, then condition. |
eBay, Amazon, Mercari and Facebook Marketplace book listing photo rules were checked in October 2026. Marketplaces change their rules, so confirm the current requirements in your seller dashboard before you upload a large batch.
Because Amazon buyers often can't see your copy, write a specific condition note: "Light wear to corners, no writing, spine uncreased" builds more trust than "good condition". On eBay, your photos do that job. Our eBay photo requirements guide covers the picture policy, and Amazon product image requirements covers main-image rules for authors and publishers.
Photographing a book you own to sell it is standard practice. Avoid photographing many inside pages of text or illustrations; one or two sample spreads to show condition is enough.
How do you photograph a stack or bundle of books?
Take one group photo with every spine readable, then a photo of each front cover. Buyers of lots want to see exactly which titles are included.
- Spine stack: stack books flat with spines facing the camera, largest at the bottom. Shoot face-on so every title reads.
- Cover grid: lay covers flat in a grid and shoot from directly above. Good for children's books and series.
- Series in order: stand books upright on a shelf in reading order.
- Individual covers: one photo each, especially if condition differs.
- Title list: write every title, author and condition in the description too.
Should book photos have a white background?
A plain background is best; pure white is only required for Amazon main images. A white or light grey sweep makes covers pop in search results. Natural wood also works well for vintage and collectible books.
- White cover images (4 credits): AiArter cuts the book out of your photo and places it on pure white, centered at about 85% of a 2000×2000 frame, with an optional soft shadow.
- Bulk: the bulk background remover handles up to 50 covers per batch, one ZIP download, failed photos not charged.
- Small or old photos: the AI image upscaler enlarges them so zoom works (3 credits).
- Descriptions: the listing copy writer drafts titles and descriptions from the details you give it.
- Free resizing: our marketplace image resizer makes square 1600 px photos.
Leave condition photos as shot. Our guide on making a product photo background white covers the free manual methods too.
Book photo checklist
- Front cover face-on, no glare, filling most of the frame.
- Back cover with the ISBN barcode visible.
- Spine, plus close-ups of the spine ends.
- Copyright page with number line and edition statement.
- Page edges and a sample inside page.
- Every flaw in its own photo, in daylight.
- Dust jacket flaps and price corner for collectible books.
- Bundles: spine stack and every cover.
Frequently asked questions
How do you take pictures of books to sell?
Shoot in daylight from a side window with flash off. Take the front cover face-on, the back cover, spine, copyright page, page edges and every flaw. Most used books need 6 to 10 photos.
How do you photograph a book without glare?
Light the book from the side, not from behind the camera, turn off flash and ceiling lights, and tilt the book 5–10° away from the light. Shoot from a little further back with 2× zoom to keep the cover square.
Can I add photos to used books on Amazon?
Usually used books are sold on an existing catalog page, so buyers see the catalog cover and your condition note. Some sellers report being able to add condition images in certain cases, so check the options in Seller Central for your account.
Can I use stock photos to sell used books on eBay?
eBay's catalog may show a stock cover for common titles, but for a used copy, photos of the actual book are the safe choice. They protect you from not-as-described claims and help the listing stand out.
How do I show a book is a first edition?
Photograph the copyright page with the edition statement and number line, the dust jacket price corner, and the publisher details on the spine and title page. Publishers mark first printings differently, so describe what the page shows.
How do you photograph a lot of books?
Stack them with spines facing the camera so every title reads, then photograph each front cover. List every title, author and condition in the description too.
Upload your cover photos and get pure white 2000×2000 images in batches of up to 50, with every cover kept exactly as you shot it.
Start free trialSee pricing7 days free · 50 credits · No credit card. Trial images carry a small “Made with aiarter” mark; paid plans export clean files you can use commercially.
