Photos turn a checklist into proof. Done well, they reduce disputes, speed up client review, and make your PDF reports easier to trust. Done poorly, they clutter the report without adding clarity.
Tie every photo to a finding
Avoid a single “photo dump” at the end of the report. Attach images to the field or section they support—a cracked tile belongs with that room’s notes, not on a generic gallery page.
In structured inspection apps, use photo fields on the relevant checklist item so the PDF layout stays logical.
Shoot for clarity, not art
Clients and adjusters need to see the issue, not your composition skills.
- Fill the frame with the subject; step closer instead of zooming digitally.
- Use landscape for wide areas, portrait for tall defects (water stains, framing).
- Take a context shot, then a detail shot when the finding needs both.
- Wipe the lens. A surprising number of “blurry defect” disputes are smudged glass.
Watch the light
Harsh backlight and deep shadow hide detail. When possible:
- Shoot with the light source behind you or to the side.
- Use the phone’s exposure lock on iOS if a window blows out the scene.
- For dark areas (attics, crawl spaces), add a second photo with flash if it reveals texture.
Keep reports lightweight
Large images slow PDF export and email delivery. Resize and compress before embedding—aim for web-friendly JPEG quality that still shows the defect. Your app should handle this automatically; if it does not, resize before attach.
Be consistent across jobs
Use the same naming habits, angles, and field structure from job to job. Consistency makes your reports faster to write and easier for repeat clients to read.
Protect privacy
Blur or avoid identifiable people, license plates, or personal documents unless they are required for the scope of work—and your client has agreed to include them.
Run Inspection lets you attach photos to any field, compress them for PDF export, and deliver branded reports from iPhone, iPad, or Mac—even with no signal.