Professional Guitar Photography Guide
Great photos can increase your guitar's selling price by 20-40%. Learn how to capture professional-quality images that showcase your vintage guitar's value and condition. Need help identifying your guitar model first? Or ready for a professional appraisal?
Professional photos like this can increase selling price by 20-40%
Why Professional Photos Matter
Build Trust
Clear, detailed photos show you care about your instrument and have nothing to hide. Buyers pay more for guitars they can thoroughly evaluate.
Show Condition
Proper photos reveal the true condition, finish quality, and authenticity markers that serious collectors look for.
Faster Sales
Professional photos attract serious buyers quickly and reduce back-and-forth questions about condition and details. Combined with proper guitar care, great photos help maximize your selling price.
Required Photos for Guitar Sale
1. Full Front Body Shot
Stand over the guitar laid flat on a white sheet. Show the entire front of the guitar from headstock to bottom. Make sure camera flash is on and angle slightly to avoid reflection.
2. Full Back Body Shot
Complete back view showing wood grain, finish, and any back-mounted hardware. Look for serial numbers or other markings visible on the back.
3. Front Neck and Headstock
Clear view of the headstock logo, tuning machines, nut, and fingerboard. Include the neck joint area to show construction details.
Example: Clear headstock detail showing original hardware and logo
4. Back of Neck and Headstock
Show any serial numbers, stamps, or markings on the back of the headstock. Include neck plate area for bolt-on neck guitars.
5. Guitar in Case
Show the guitar properly positioned in its original case. Include any case accessories, documentation, or extra parts in compartments.
6. Case Exterior
Full view of the closed case showing condition, hardware, and any vintage case features. Original cases add significant value.
7. Neck Body Joint (Acoustic)
Side view showing where neck meets body. Critical area for assessing structural integrity and repair history.
8. Bridge and String Height
Side view at 12th fret showing string height and bridge condition. Important for playability assessment.
Photography Setup Instructions
Lighting Setup
Find a well-lit room and ensure camera flash is on. Natural light from windows combined with flash produces the best results for showing true colors.
Background
Use a clean white sheet or cloth on the floor. White backgrounds make guitars pop and allow buyers to see every detail clearly.
Camera Position
Stand directly over the guitar and angle the camera slightly to prevent flash reflection. Take multiple shots of each angle for best results.
Stability
Hold camera as still as possible. Camera movement creates blurry photos that hide important details and reduce buyer confidence.
Electric Guitar Additional Photos
Input Jack Area
For guitars with side-mounted input jacks, include a clear photo of the jack and several inches above and below it.
Hardware Details
Close-up shots of pickups, bridge, tailpiece, and control knobs. Show any maker stamps or patent numbers on hardware.
Control Layout
Clear view of all switches, knobs, and pickup selector positions. Show any custom wiring or modifications.
Documenting Damage and Repairs
Always include additional photos of:
- Any cracks, chips, or finish wear
- Previous repairs or touch-ups
- Missing or replaced parts
- Hardware corrosion or wear
- Fret wear or neck issues
- Case damage or missing latches
Honest documentation of condition issues builds trust and often results in faster sales at fair prices.
Next Steps After Taking Great Photos
Guitar Identification
Need help identifying your guitar's make, model, and year? Get expert identification help.
Identify GuitarFree Appraisal
Get professional valuation using your great photos for accurate market assessment.
Get AppraisalSafe Shipping
Learn professional packing techniques to safely ship your photographed guitar.
Shipping GuideReady to Sell Your Guitar?
Take your photos using this guide and send them to us for a free evaluation. We'll provide honest feedback on photo quality and guitar value within 24 hours.