Which photos should you send?
Your first photos should help a buyer understand what you have. You don’t need studio equipment or a picture of every card to start—five or six phone photos are usually enough.
By Brett, Court Era Cards · Reviewed September 2026
A short sequence that works.
- One overview. The collection as it is organized now—binder pages, grouped cards, or boxes with the visible cards arranged sensibly. It explains scale and mix.
- A few representative or notable cards. Pick the ones that seem important, or simply a fair sample if you’re not sure.
- Fronts and backs when useful. The back often carries the set name and card number that identify the exact version.
- Labels and numbering if present. A graded holder’s label, a serial number, or a set checklist—photographed so the text is legible.
- Relevant condition details. A soft corner, a crease, or surface wear on a card you think matters. Honest photos save a round of questions.
Even light, no glare.
Daylight from a window, with the card flat on a plain surface, beats a flash. Plastic sleeves and holders reflect lights; change the angle or move to softer light until the card itself is visible. Leave a little room around the edges and check the photo is in focus before moving on.
Skip filters, color effects, and any editing that changes how the condition appears. The photo should look like the card.
Keep cards protected.
You don’t need to remove cards from sleeves, top loaders, or binder pages for the first photos. Never open a sealed grading holder or take apart a protective arrangement just to photograph a card—photograph it as it is.
Add a little context.
Include anything you know about the years, players, brands, approximate quantity, or how the cards are organized. ‘Not sure’ is an acceptable answer. An existing list helps, but you don’t need to create one for the first message.
Photo examples
Three original examples will sit here once Brett supplies them: a useful overview, a legible close-up, and a photo with too much glare. Real photographs only—no altered condition.
Ready? Send an overview, a few close-ups, and a short description.