Memorabilia.co

Collector tool

Photo Listing Checklist

A repeatable sequence for photographing memorabilia for marketplace listings, auction-house submissions, and insurance documentation. Print-friendly.

Lighting

  • Use diffused natural daylight or a softbox — avoid direct flash.
  • Place the item near a north-facing window if outdoors isn't an option.
  • Eliminate color casts from yellow incandescent bulbs.
  • Shoot against a neutral, non-distracting background (white or light gray).

Angles

  • Front-facing, centered, full item in frame.
  • Back of the item — even if you think no one will care.
  • Left and right side profiles where applicable.
  • An angled three-quarter shot to convey dimension.

Close-ups

  • Signature or autograph (sharp focus, fills the frame).
  • Any printed text, stamps, or maker marks.
  • Any embossing, serial numbers, or hand-numbered editions.
  • Any holograms or tamper-evident features.

Condition flaws

  • Photograph every flaw you'd want to know about as a buyer.
  • Edge wear, creases, soft corners, fading, staining.
  • Tape residue, restoration, recoloring, or repairs.
  • Storage damage: humidity ripples, foxing, off-gassing.

Authentication documents

  • Photo of any COA, LOA, slab label, or population card.
  • Photos of receipts, purchase records, or auction-house lot tags.
  • Photos of the signing event or contemporaneous reference where applicable.

Scale & reference

  • Include a ruler in at least one photo for size reference.
  • Photograph the item next to a coin for smaller items.
  • Note dimensions in the listing description.

Packaging

  • Original packaging — front, back, and any seals.
  • Inner inserts, certificates, or accompanying paperwork.
  • Photographs of the item inside its packaging and removed.

File naming

  • Use a consistent pattern: item-id_view_yyyymmdd.jpg.
  • Store originals in a dated folder; never overwrite originals.
  • Export web-sized copies for listings — keep the originals for buyers/insurers.

The 30-photo standard

High-end auction houses commonly photograph each significant item in ~30 frames. You don't need that for an eBay listing — but you should aim for enough shots that a buyer would never need to ask “can you send another photo?”