Image Guidelines

Category: Selling Last updated: 2026-07-15

Photos are the most important part of your listing. Listings with clear, well-lit photos get more views, more inquiries, and sell faster. This guide consolidates everything you need to know about images on Owning — from technical requirements to shooting tips.

Technical requirements

Requirement	Details
Accepted formats	JPEG, PNG, WebP, AVIF, HEIC
Maximum file size	10 MB per image
Minimum images	1 (at least one photo is required to publish)
Recommended count	3 or more — listings with 3+ photos get significantly more views
Maximum images	No hard limit, but 8–10 is a good practical maximum

Uploading images

You can upload images when creating a listing on the sell page:

Drag and drop images onto the upload area, or click to browse.
Reorder photos by dragging — the first photo becomes the cover image.
Remove any photo by clicking the X on its thumbnail.
After uploading, you can optionally click "Generate with AI" to auto-fill your listing details from the photos. See AI Listing Generation.

Uploading via the API

If you're creating listings programmatically, use the upload endpoint:

curl -X POST https://api.owning.pro/api/upload \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer YOUR_API_KEY" \
  -F "file=@/path/to/your-image.jpg"

Response:

{
  "url": "https://static.owning.pro/images/abc123.jpg",
  "size": 456789,
  "mime": "image/jpeg"
}

Use the returned url in the images array when creating a listing via POST /api/listings. See How to Create a Listing and Owning for AI Agents for details.

Choosing a cover image

The first photo in your listing is the cover image — it appears in search results, category pages, and as the thumbnail when your listing is shared on social media.

A good cover image:

Shows the item clearly and fills most of the frame
Is well-lit and in focus
Shows the item from its most flattering angle
Has a clean, uncluttered background

Put your best photo first. You can reorder images at any time by editing your listing from the dashboard.

Shooting tips

Lighting

Use natural light when possible. Daylight from a window gives accurate colors. Avoid direct harsh sunlight that creates strong shadows.
Avoid flash. Flash creates harsh reflections, especially on electronics, glass, and shiny surfaces. If you must use flash, bounce it off a ceiling or wall.
Shoot during the day. Photos taken in good daylight look better than photos taken under artificial light at night.

Background

Use a clean, neutral background. A plain wall, a sheet, or a clean table works well. Avoid clutter — it distracts from the item.
Contrast helps. A dark item shows up better against a light background, and vice versa.
Avoid patterned backgrounds. Busy patterns compete with the item for attention.

Angles and coverage

Show the front — the most recognizable view, usually your cover image.
Show the back — reveals condition, labels, ports, or connectors.
Show the sides — gives a sense of dimensions and profile.
Show close-ups of defects — scratches, dents, wear. Honesty builds trust and prevents disputes.
Show brand labels and model numbers — at least one photo should include identifying information.
Show accessories — if the item comes with a charger, case, original box, or manuals, photograph them.

For specific item types

Item type	Extra tips
Electronics	Show the screen on (if applicable), ports, and any accessories. Avoid reflections on screens.
Clothing	Show the tag (brand, size, material). Lay flat or wear — avoid hangers if possible.
Vehicles	Exterior from multiple angles, interior, dashboard, mileage, and any damage.
Furniture	Show from the front and side. Photograph any scratches or wear on surfaces.
Real estate	Wide-angle shots of each room, exterior, and key features (kitchen, bathroom).

Image quality checklist

Before publishing, check your photos against this list:

[ ] At least 3 photos uploaded
[ ] Cover image is clear and shows the item prominently
[ ] Good lighting — item is clearly visible, not too dark or washed out
[ ] Clean background — no clutter or distractions
[ ] Multiple angles shown (front, back, sides)
[ ] Any defects or wear are visible in at least one photo
[ ] Brand or model information is visible in at least one photo
[ ] Photos are in focus — no blurry shots
[ ] Photos are oriented correctly — not sideways or upside down

What to avoid

Stock photos — use real photos of your actual item. Stock images mislead buyers and can lead to disputes.
Heavy filters or editing — don't over-saturate, sharpen, or "beautify" the item. Show it in its real state.
Photos of a different item — make sure the photos match the title and description.
Blurry or dark photos — if a buyer can't see the item clearly, they'll move on.
Photos with personal information — don't include photos that show your face, ID, address, or license plate.
Watermarks from other sites — if you're reusing photos from another platform, crop out watermarks.

Image delivery and performance

Owning optimizes images for fast loading. When you upload an image, the platform:

Stores the original on a CDN (static.owning.pro) for fast global delivery.
Generates thumbnail and card variants for listing grids and search results.
Serves WebP/AVIF to compatible browsers for smaller file sizes.
Caches aggressively — repeat views load instantly.

You don't need to resize or compress images before uploading — the platform handles optimization. However, uploading extremely large files (e.g., 50 MB RAW photos) will be rejected by the 10 MB limit. If your photos are too large, convert them to JPEG or WebP at a reasonable resolution (1920×1080 is plenty for web display).

Learn more

How to Create a Listing — the full step-by-step process
How to Sell — the complete selling guide
AI Listing Generation — let AI draft your listing from photos
Understanding Listing Conditions — describing condition accurately
Owning for AI Agents — uploading images via the API

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