NEW FOR CHARITY RETAILERS:Sell more with Virtual Try On, AI Models
What’s a picture worth? Sometimes 60% more sales.
← Back to Blog
0 min readBy Jordan Fitzgerald

What’s a picture worth? Sometimes 60% more sales.

According to Depop’s sellers’ guide, “model photos” – pictures that feature someone wearing the clothes – are 60% more likely to sell.

It’s a striking number, and one that highlights just how much power an image can hold in the world of online resale. For charity retailers listing on platforms like eBay, Vinted, Depop, or Facebook Marketplace, the right photo doesn’t just make an item look nice - it directly affects how fast it sells, how much it sells for, and whether it sells at all.

Three clothing items photographed in different ways (flat lay, on a model, on a hanger) with text describing their sales likelihood.

Why images matter more than ever

Online shoppers scroll fast. In marketplaces crowded with near-identical items, an image is your first and often only chance to stop the scroll. When buyers canseewhat something might look like on a real person, their imagination does the rest - they can picture themselves wearing it. This emotional connection drives confidence and purchase intent.

Better photos also signal quality. A well-lit, thoughtfully composed image tells buyers that your store cares about presentation, which in turn builds trust in the condition and authenticity of the product. For charity retailers, this can make the difference between an item being seen as “pre-loved” versus “second-hand.”

Across resale platforms, listings with high-quality, consistent images tend to see:

  • Higher sell-through rates:items that are visually appealing get more clicks and conversions.
  • Faster stock turnover:clear, engaging imagery helps move inventory quicker, freeing up space for new donations.
  • Higher average selling prices:buyers are often willing to pay more for items thatlookvaluable and well cared for.

The challenge for charity retailers

Of course, achieving great imagery isn’t always simple. Unlike big fashion brands, charity stores often work with limited resources - tight budgets, varying staff skills, and unpredictable stock. Organizing a professional photoshoot with models can be expensive and time-consuming. Even a DIY approach, where staff or volunteers model the items themselves, brings its own challenges:

  • Coordinating time and space to take photos
  • Ensuring staff feel comfortable being in front of the camera
  • Maintaining visual consistency across hundreds of listings
  • Representing the diversity of your customer base in your imagery
A photography setup with a white backdrop, a studio light on a stand, another light stand, and a vintage dressmaker's mannequin.
A nifty, dedicated photoshoot setup seen in office at a UK charity retailer

For multi-store charities or regional hubs, scaling this process can quickly become overwhelming.

DIY done right: getting the basics perfect

Even without professional equipment, small tweaks can dramatically improve your photos. Charity teams can achieve great results by:

  • Using natural light:position items near windows or well-lit areas to avoid harsh shadows.
  • Keeping backgrounds simple:a plain wall or consistent backdrop keeps focus on the item.
  • Photographing from multiple angles:front, back, close-ups of labels or detailing.
  • Making sure clothes look fresh:steamed or neatly laid out items appear more desirable.
  • Showing scale and fit:using a mannequin or hanger helps convey shape and size.

These steps build visual trust and make your listings look more professional—no photography degree required.

The next evolution: AI models for resale images

But what if your team could show every dress, jacket, or jumper on a model - without needing a model at all? That’s where AI-powered model imagery is changing the game for second-hand sellers. Using a single garment photo, AI tools can now generate realistic, on-model images that show how an item might look when worn.

Promotional image for clothing sales with four models, two sweater product shots, and the text "Stand out and sell more."

For charity retailers, this innovation offers a way to:

  • Skip the costly photoshoot:no lights, no cameras, no scheduling needed.
  • Keep staff behind the scenes:no need for volunteers to step in front of the camera.
  • Create variety and inclusivity:generate diverse model types that reflect your customer base.
  • Maintain consistency:every image follows the same clean, professional visual style.

These AI-enhanced images can help charity listings compete visually with top sellers on Depop, Vinted, or eBay—without requiring big marketing budgets.

The bottom line

Good images don’t just make your listings look better—they make themwork harder.For charity retailers aiming to increase sell-through, clear stock faster, and raise more funds, investing time (or technology) into better imagery delivers measurable returns.

And as tools like AI models become more accessible, charities can now bridge the gap between limited resources and professional presentation—showcasing their donations in the best possible light, one picture at a time.