Two phases: submission and listing
At Octane, photos play a role at two different moments. For the initial submission of your car, you do not need professional photos. A handful of clear photos taken with your phone is enough for our team to make a good assessment of your car. Think of five to ten photos of the main angles and any special features.
The second phase is the actual listing for the auction. Here the requirements are higher. The photos need to be sharp, well-lit, and complete. Buyers base their bids largely on what they see in the photos, so quality is essential here. You can take these photos yourself (using our photo guide as a reference), hire your own photographer, or use our network of experienced car photographers that we can recommend.
The Octane photo guide
Every seller receives our photo guide. It specifies exactly which photos we expect, from which angles, and with which points of attention. The guide is useful whether you photograph yourself or hire a photographer. Follow the guide closely: the difference between an auction that performs well and one that underperforms often comes down to photo quality.
Basic principles for good car photos
Light makes the difference
Photograph in overcast weather or in shade. Direct sunlight creates harsh shadows and overexposed spots that make details invisible. Early morning or late afternoon (the so-called golden hour) provides the most beautiful, even light. Avoid photographing in the bright midday sun.
Choose a calm background
A tidy background lets the car speak for itself. An empty parking lot, an open field, or a quiet street works well. Avoid busy streets, cluttered garages, or backgrounds with many distracting elements. The attention should go to the car, not the surroundings.
Clean the car beforehand
A clean car photographs significantly better than a dusty one. Wash the car carefully, clean the wheels, and tidy the interior before you start. This does not need to be professional detailing; a thorough wash will do. Also pay attention to windows: fingerprints and smudges are especially noticeable in photos.
Which angles and details to capture
The photo guide specifies this in detail, but here are the main points:
- Front three-quarter (the classic automotive angle)
- Rear three-quarter
- Full side view left and right
- Interior: dashboard, driver seat, passenger seat, rear seats
- Engine bay, open and well-lit
- Trunk
- Wheels and tires close-up
- Badges, logos, and special details
- Odometer reading
- Keys and documentation
Be honest: also capture imperfections
This is perhaps the most important guideline: also photograph the flaws. Rust spots, dents, scratches, interior wear, stone chips on the windshield. Buyers want to see it, and honesty builds trust. If during review we discover that flaws have not been photographed, we will ask for additional photos. Omitting problems always leads to complications later in the process.
Take close-up photos of any damage or wear, so the severity can be properly assessed. A clear photo of a dent says more than a vague description.
Technical tips for better results
- Always photograph in horizontal (landscape) orientation, not vertical
- Hold the camera or phone at hip height relative to the car
- Ensure sharp photos and avoid motion blur
- Take more photos than you think you need, at least 40 to 60 for the listing
- Use the standard camera app without filters or edits
- Check after photographing that all photos are sharp and well-exposed
- Photograph at the highest resolution your camera or phone offers
Hiring a professional photographer
Prefer to outsource the photography? Octane can connect you with professional car photographers from our network. These photographers know our standards and know exactly which photos are needed. You can also choose your own photographer; in that case, share our photo guide so the photographer knows what we expect.
Whether you photograph yourself or hire someone: the photos must meet our quality standard. We review all photos before the listing goes live and can request additional or replacement photos if needed.
What to avoid
- Do not apply filters or image editing to the photos
- Do not photograph in a dark garage with artificial light
- No photos with other cars or people prominently in frame
- Do not only capture the attractive sides while omitting flaws
- Do not use an extreme wide-angle lens that distorts proportions