How to photograph LEGO sets for selling, in short: use soft, diffused light from two sides (no flash), a plain white or light grey background, and shoot the built set at a slightly high front angle. Add the back, the minifigures lined up, the instructions and box, and close-ups of any missing, yellowed or cracked parts. Aim for 1600 px or more.
More on this topic: Product photography, every guide in one place.
Used LEGO sells on completeness and condition. Buyers want to know whether every piece and minifigure is there, whether white and grey bricks have yellowed, and whether stickers are applied straight. Shiny ABS plastic reflects light badly, so diffused light matters more than the camera. This guide covers the setup, the shot list for built sets, sealed boxes, minifigures and bulk lots, plus the mistakes that lead to returns. The free product collage maker turns a row of minifigure close-ups into one image.
- Diffuse the light: LEGO is glossy; a bare bulb or flash leaves bright spots on every stud.
- Built set, three-quarter view: slightly above and to the side shows the shape and the play features.
- Minifigures together: one lineup photo, then front and back close-ups for valuable figures.
- Show condition: yellowing, cracks, bite marks, sticker damage and missing pieces.
- Sealed sets: every side of the box, the seals, and dents or creases.
What is the best setup for photographing LEGO?
A light tent or a white sheet over two lamps, a white or light grey sweep of card behind the model, and a phone on a tripod. Soft light from two sides removes the glare on the studs and keeps shadows inside the model from going black.
| Item | What to use | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Light | Two daylight LED lamps through white fabric or baking paper | Soft light, no hotspots on the plastic |
| Background | A curved sheet of white or light grey card | No horizon line behind the model |
| Support | Phone tripod | Sharp photos at a slightly high angle |
| Cleaning | Soft brush, microfiber cloth, a blower | Dust shows on dark bricks |
| Fill | White card opposite the main light | Lifts shadows under overhangs |
| Large models | A table against a wall with the card taped up behind | Room to back off and zoom |
Dust on black, dark blue and dark grey bricks shows up in every photo and makes a clean set look neglected. A soft makeup brush and a camera blower clean a built set in a few minutes without knocking pieces loose.
What angle should you photograph a LEGO set from?
Use a three-quarter view from slightly above for the main photo: in front and to one side, with the camera at roughly the height of the top of the model or a little higher. That angle shows the front, one side and the roof at once, which is how the box art usually presents the set.
| Angle | What it shows | When |
|---|---|---|
| Three-quarter, slightly high | Overall shape, front and roof | Main photo |
| Straight front | Facade and symmetry | Buildings and vehicles |
| Back | Open interiors, back walls | Always for modular buildings and playsets |
| Top-down | Floor plans, interiors, roofs off | Modulars, castles, ships |
| Low angle | Vehicles and mechs looking large | Optional extra |
| Close-up | Stickers, printed parts, rare pieces | Valuable or retired sets |
What photos should a used LEGO listing have?
A main three-quarter photo of the built set, the back, every minifigure, the instructions and box if included, and close-ups of any damage. Completeness is the biggest question, so photograph what is included as clearly as the set itself.
| Photo | What buyers check | When |
|---|---|---|
| Built set, three-quarter | Complete and correctly built | Always |
| Back and interior | Missing interior details | Always |
| Minifigures lined up | Count, correct figures and accessories | Always when included |
| Minifigure front and back | Print wear, cracks in torsos and hips | Valuable figures |
| Instructions and box | Creases, tears, whether included | When included |
| Stickers or printed parts | Applied straight, peeling, fading | Sets with stickers |
| Yellowing and damage | Discolored white or grey, cracks, bite marks | Whenever there is any |
| Extra parts or bags | Spare pieces included | Optional |
eBay allows up to 24 photos, which is enough for all of this; see the rest of the rules in our eBay photo requirements guide, and our view on how many photos a listing needs.
eBay's photo limit were checked in October 2026. Marketplaces change their rules, so confirm the current requirements in your seller dashboard before you upload a large batch.
How do you photograph LEGO minifigures?
Stand the figures in a straight row on the same background, light them evenly, and shoot from slightly above the head height. For valuable figures, add individual front and back shots at 2× zoom; torsos and legs carry the print buyers inspect.
- Brush dust off the figures and check every accessory is attached.
- Line them up on a strip of white card, evenly spaced, facing the camera.
- Shoot the group from slightly above so faces and torsos both show.
- Shoot valuable figures one at a time: front, back and any crack or print wear.
- Combine the singles into one overview image if the listing is short on photo slots.
Turn individual minifigure photos into one clean overview image. Free, no sign-up, nothing uploaded.
Open the collage maker7 days free · 50 credits · No credit cardHow do you photograph sealed LEGO sets?
Photograph all six sides of the box, close-ups of the seals or tape, and any dents, creases or shelf wear. Buyers of sealed sets pay for box condition, so the box is the product.
- Front of the box: straight on, evenly lit, as the main photo.
- Back and sides: including the set number and age marking.
- Seals: both ends, close enough to show they're intact or which have been opened.
- Corners: crushed or bent corners matter to collectors.
- Glare: boxes are glossy; light from the sides, not from behind the phone.
New, sealed sets sold on marketplaces with white-background rules can use a cut-out main photo. The background remover or the Amazon white background tool (4 credits) does that; for a free option, the add white background tool fills transparent PNGs with white. Don't use AI to alter the box itself.
How do you photograph bulk LEGO lots?
Spread the bricks in a single layer on a light background and photograph from directly above, then add close-ups of any minifigures, special pieces and the bags or tubs they come in. Say in the listing whether the lot has been sorted or cleaned and its approximate weight.
| Shot | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Whole lot, top-down | Shows the mix of colors and piece types |
| Lot on a kitchen scale | Backs up the weight in the title |
| Minifigures pulled out | Often the most valuable part of a lot |
| Special parts | Printed tiles, rare colors, large plates |
| Non-LEGO pieces | Be upfront if clone bricks are mixed in |
What are the most common LEGO photo mistakes?
| Mistake | Fix |
|---|---|
| Bright spots on every stud | Diffuse the light; no flash |
| Dust on dark bricks | Brush and blow the model before shooting |
| Busy carpet or shelf background | White or light grey card sweep |
| Only the front shown | Back, interior and top-down views |
| Minifigures missing from photos | Lineup photo every time |
| Yellowing hidden by warm light | Daylight bulbs and correct white balance |
Crop each photo square with the free image cropper, or pad wide models into a square with the square image maker so nothing gets cut off in search results. For other toys and figures, see our guide to photographing toys and small products.
Frequently asked questions
How do I stop glare when photographing LEGO?
Turn off the flash and put white fabric or baking paper between your lamps and the model. Light from both sides, not from behind the camera.
What background is best for LEGO photos?
Plain white or light grey card curved up behind the model. Use grey or black for mostly white sets so the edges don't disappear.
Should I photograph a LEGO set built or in pieces?
Built, so buyers can see it's complete. Add photos of the minifigures, instructions and box. Bulk lots are the exception.
How many photos should a LEGO listing have?
Usually 8 to 15: three-quarter view, back, interior, top-down, minifigures, instructions, box and any damage. eBay allows up to 24.
Do I need to show yellowed bricks?
Yes. Yellowing on white and light grey parts is a common reason for returns. Shoot in daylight-balanced light so it looks as it does in hand.
Can I use the official set image?
Only alongside your own photos, and not as the main image for a used set. Buyers want to see your copy.
Used sets need honest photos of the real item. For new products you sell, AiArter turns phone photos into white marketplace images and lifestyle scenes.
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