Field Guides

Photo documentation that holds up

Most evidence photos fail for boring, preventable reasons — no scale, no context, no timeline. These guides cover how to shoot damage, condition, and evidence so the file survives a skeptical review.

Written by the team behind EtchImage · Updated July 2026

Insurance & Claims

How to Photograph Water Damage for an Insurance Claim

The shot sequence adjusters actually need — and the timeline problem that catches most people out.

Landlord & Tenant

How to Photograph a Move-In or Move-Out Inspection

A room-by-room condition record both sides can rely on when the deposit is disputed.

Insurance & Claims

How to Document Roof and Storm Damage

What hail, wind, and mechanical damage each look like — and why you probably shouldn't climb up there.

Insurance & Claims

How to Document Mold Growth

Mold is a symptom. Photographing the moisture source behind it is what makes the record useful.

Technical

What EXIF Data Actually Proves (and What It Doesn't)

The timestamp comes from a clock the owner controls. Here's what that means for your evidence.

Technical

Content Credentials Explained

How the C2PA standard binds a signature to pixels — and the things it still cannot tell you.

Technical

How to Tell If a Photo Has Been Altered

A practical inspection order, and an honest account of where visual forensics now falls short.

Field Work

A Photo Documentation System for Job Sites

Pre-existing conditions, covered work, and a filing scheme that still makes sense a year later.

Field Work

Shooting Usable Photos in Crawl Spaces and Bad Light

Why your flash destroys the texture you're trying to show, and what to do instead.

Field Work

How to Photograph a Vehicle Before Shipping or Returning a Rental

The walkaround sequence, and the two frames that end most condition disputes outright.

Disputes

Preparing Photo Evidence for Small Claims Court

Organizing, labeling, and authenticating a set of photos so a judge can actually use them.

Insurance & Claims

How to Build a Home Inventory Your Insurer Will Accept

Serial numbers, appraisals, scheduled items — and why storing it off-site is the whole point.