Photo Documentation Best Practices for Field Inspections

How to take effective inspection photos that tell the full story — tips for angles, lighting, and what to capture.
Why Photos Matter
Good photo documentation protects everyone — the contractor, the agency, and you. Clear photos provide evidence of conditions at the time of inspection and reduce disputes.
Capture the Context
Start with a wide shot that shows the overall area, then move to close-ups of specific items. Always include enough context so someone who wasn't there can understand what they're looking at.

Use Natural Light
Whenever possible, use natural light. If you're in a basement or enclosed space, use your phone's flash but take multiple shots from different angles to reduce shadows.
Attach Photos to the Right Inspection
In the Perspecs mobile app, you can attach photos directly to an inspection. They're stored with the inspection record and visible to the contractor and agency admin.
Add Comments
A photo without context is just a picture. Always add a brief comment explaining what the photo shows and why it's relevant to the inspection result.