Photographing valuables for insurance — best practices

A good documentation photo isn’t the one that looks pretty — it’s the one that holds up as proof in a claim or estate. This guide shows what makes the difference.

Why photos matter so much

In a claim, insurers have no other source of authenticity, condition, and value. A technically clean photo can be the difference between a full settlement and a value dispute. In an estate, photos give heirs a clear picture of what’s actually in the inventory.

The 5 photo standards

1. Lighting

• Daylight through a north-facing window — even, no harsh shadow
• Avoid: direct sun (blown highlights), incandescent bulbs (yellow cast), flash (abrupt reflections)
• Low light: white desk lamp + a sheet of white paper as a reflector
• For jewelry: two light sources slightly offset for depth

2. Background

• A white sheet of paper is 90% of the trick
• For dark items: black fabric or paper instead
• Avoid: patterned tablecloths, wood with strong grain, reflective surfaces

3. Multiple angles

Per item, at minimum:

• Front: central view
• Reverse: critical for art and jewelry (stamps, hallmarks, gallery labels)
• Detail: significant elements (stones in jewelry, movement of a watch)
• Serial number / hallmark: macro mode, very sharp
• Scale: one photo with, e.g., a coin or pen alongside

4. Photograph the receipt too

When you photograph the item, also photograph:

• Invoice / receipt
• Warranty card / certificate of authenticity
• Original box / packaging

All of that goes into the app as an additional photo set on the item.

5. Sharpness

• iPhone: tap to lock focus on the right point
• Tripod for macro shots (any wobble destroys detail)
• Check at 100% zoom before saving

Item-specific tips

Jewelry

• White background with a slight reflector
• Stone in detail mode, multiple light angles
• Hallmark in extra macro shot
• Size scale with a ruler

Watches

• Front (dial markers visible)
• 3/4 view (shows crown, watch size)
• Clasp / buckle from beneath
• Case-back with serial number
• Movement when accessible

Art

• Tripod (movement destroys sharpness)
• No flash (kills depth)
• Frontal full view
• Detail shots of art-historically relevant areas
• Reverse with all labels and stamps

Coins

• Obverse and reverse separately
• Raking light shows mint detail better than direct light
• Edge shot for higher-value pieces (reeded edge authenticity)

Electronics

• Front, side, back
• Serial-number sticker in macro
• Receipts (purchase, repair documentation)

Storing photos in the app

The app stores multiple photos per item — use them. Recommended order:

1. Hero shot
2. Detail
3. Serial number / hallmark
4. Receipt / box / certificate

PDF exports embed all photos per item.

EXIF data as plausibility signal

Smartphone photos contain EXIF data: capture date, device type, GPS coordinates. This shows insurers the photos were taken before the loss — an important trust anchor. The app preserves EXIF data.

Note: If you prefer to strip GPS data for privacy reasons (configurable on iOS), do so by disabling location tagging at capture, not retroactively — retroactive stripping looks reconstructed.

Common mistakes

• Only one photo per item: never enough as insurance proof
• Selfie-style background: jewelry reflected in the camera lens — looks unprofessional
• Bad lighting: shadows distort value perception
• No scale: insurers can’t place the item without a size anchor
• Photo collection in iCloud Photos library only, not in the app: lost with Apple-ID issues