If you buy through a CNFans Spreadsheet, sooner or later you hit the same wall: the default photos are not enough. Maybe you want cleaner documentation for your records. Maybe you plan to resell later and want better reference shots. Maybe you just do not want to guess.
I have learned not to overcomplicate this. Sellers and agents respond better when the request is short, specific, and easy to follow. That is the whole game.
Why extra photos matter
Basic warehouse shots usually show the item exists. That is it. They often do not show the details that matter when you are documenting condition or preparing for future resale.
- Logo placement
- Stitching quality
- Hardware condition
- Tags and size labels
- Wear points or flaws
- Exact color in normal lighting
- Accessories, packaging, and extras
- Front full-item photo
- Back full-item photo
- Close-up of logo or branding
- Close-up of tags and size label
- Close-up of any flaw, scratch, stain, or loose thread
- Photo of included accessories or packaging
- Natural, straight-on front shot
- Back shot
- Side profile if relevant
- Close-ups of material texture
- Hardware shot for bags, belts, jewelry, or shoes
- Sole or bottom shot for shoes
- Measurement photo with ruler or tape if sizing is tricky
- 1. Full front
- 2. Full back
- 3. Close-up of logo
- 4. Size tag
- 5. Any flaws or marks
- 6. Accessories included
- 1. Front in full frame
- 2. Back in full frame
- 3. Side profile
- 4. Material close-up
- 5. Hardware close-up
- 6. Measurement photo with ruler
- Toe box close-up
- Heel tab
- Tongue tag
- Insole size label
- Outsole bottom
- Pair shot from above
- Front and back
- Corners and edges
- Zippers and hardware
- Interior lining
- Date code, serial area, or label if applicable
- Strap drop or width measurement
- Front laid flat
- Back laid flat
- Chest print or embroidery close-up
- Wash tag and size tag
- Seam or stitching detail
- Pit-to-pit and length measurement
- Ask early, before the item sits too long in storage.
- Be specific about the area, not vague like “better pics.”
- Use numbered lists. Agents follow them more accurately.
- Request bright lighting if color matters.
- Ask for flaw photos if you suspect damage.
- Do not ask for twenty angles unless the item is high value.
- Buy item from the CNFans Spreadsheet link.
- Wait for warehouse arrival photos.
- Check whether the basics are visible.
- If not, send a six-point request max.
- Save the final photos in a folder named by item and date.
- Add one note: condition, measurements, accessories.
If you ever list the item later, these details save time. They also protect you. You can prove what you received and what state it was in before shipping.
What to ask for
Keep it tight. Ask for only the photos you actually need. If you dump a huge checklist, response time gets worse and mistakes go up.
For documentation
For resale prep
That last one matters more than people think. A clean measurement photo can stop a return headache before it starts.
How to write the request
Here is the thing: polite beats fancy. Clear beats polite essays.
Use short instructions. Number them. Mention the exact areas you want photographed. If possible, say why in one line. That helps the agent understand the priority.
Simple message template
Please provide extra photos for documentation:
Thank you.
Resale-focused template
Please provide clear photos for future listing reference:
Please use bright lighting and keep the item flat. Thank you.
That is enough. No need to write a novel.
Best photo requests by item type
Shoes
Bags and wallets
Clothing
I usually request fewer images for basic tees and more for expensive outerwear. Makes sense. Spend your request budget where risk is higher.
Tips that actually improve results
One more thing: if your first set comes back weak, do not get dramatic. Just send a second short message with only the missing shots. I have had better luck doing that than sending one giant correction list.
Common mistakes
Being too broad
“Can I get more pics?” is lazy and usually gets random results. Tell them what “more” means.
Asking for seller-style editorial photos
Warehouse teams are not running a studio. Ask for functional photos, not lifestyle shots.
Ignoring measurements
If resale is part of your plan, measurement photos are gold. They help you write a cleaner listing later.
Forgetting flaw documentation
If there is a mark, get a close-up while the item is still in the warehouse. That photo can help if you need to dispute condition later.
A practical workflow that works
This is my usual routine, and honestly, it keeps things simple.
That folder becomes useful fast. If you resell in six months, you are not digging through old chats wondering what came with the item.
What matters most for resale
If resale is the goal, your photo requests should answer buyer questions before they are asked. Condition. size. authenticity markers if relevant. included extras. wear areas. material texture.
Clean documentation makes your future listing feel more credible. Even if you take your own photos later, warehouse shots give you a before-shipping record. I never skip that on pricier pieces now. Learned that the annoying way.
Final take
Requesting extra information from CNFans Spreadsheet sellers is not about saying more. It is about asking smarter. Keep the message short, ask for exact angles, and focus on condition, tags, measurements, and flaws. If you only remember one rule, use this one: request photos that solve a future problem before it happens.
My practical recommendation: build a default six-photo template and reuse it for every item type, then add one or two item-specific shots only when needed.