Photo Tips and Best Practices

General guidelines

Good condition photos are clear, well-lit, and show the full context of the area being photographed. They should leave no ambiguity about what is in the frame.

Lighting

• Use natural light when possible. Open curtains and blinds before photographing.
• Turn on overhead lights for interior rooms and bathrooms.
• Avoid flash unless the room has no natural or overhead light. Flash creates harsh shadows and washes out color.
• Photograph during the day for best results, especially for baseline uploads.

Angles and framing

• Stand in the corner of the room and aim toward the opposite corner. This captures the widest view.
• Take at least one photo per wall. Four photos cover most standard rooms.
• Get close for details. If you are documenting existing wear (a scratch, a stain), take a close-up in addition to the wide shot.
• Include context. A close-up of a scratch is more useful when the surrounding furniture or wall is also visible.

Resolution and quality

• Use your phone's default camera. Modern smartphones produce more than enough resolution.
• Do not use filters or edit photos. Upload them as-is.
• Make sure photos are in focus before submitting. A blurry photo cannot be used as evidence.
• Hold the phone steady. Rest your elbow against your body or lean against a wall if needed.

Damage vs. normal wear

This is one of the most important distinctions in condition reporting.

Normal wear includes:

• Minor scuffs on walls near doorframes
• Slight fading of upholstery from sunlight
• Small marks on wood floors from regular foot traffic
• Loose hinges or handles from regular use
• Minor carpet matting in high-traffic areas

Potential damage includes:

• Large stains on carpets or upholstery
• Scratches or gouges in wood floors
• Holes or large marks on walls
• Broken furniture or fixtures
• Missing items
• Burns (cigarette or iron) on any surface

When in doubt, photograph it and flag it. It is better to document something that turns out to be normal wear than to miss actual damage.

Mobile tips for guests

Guests photograph rooms during check-in and checkout on their phone. Here is how to get the best results:

• Make sure your phone has enough storage before starting the walkthrough.
• Clean your camera lens — fingerprints cause blur.
• Follow the on-screen prompts. STRProof shows you which room to photograph next.
• Take your time. There is no time limit.
• If you notice something that was already there (a stain, a scratch), flag it. This protects you.

What STRProof does with your photos

• Photos are stored securely and linked to the specific stay and room.
• They are included in the PDF condition report with timestamps.
• They are never shared publicly or used for any purpose other than condition documentation.
• Hosts and guests both have access to the same photos for transparency.