Worthy of 1,000 Words?

Home inspectors aren’t specialists in any single field; we’re generalists. We need to know a lot about many different systems and how they work together to keep a house running smoothly. 

But calling ourselves “generalists” misses the one area where we do need to be experts—communication. More than anything else, we are hired to communicate, document, and report. If we can’t clearly document and communicate findings to our clients, then we’re doing little more than taking up space on the inspection.

Incorporating high-quality, clear, and relevant photographs in our reports is a major part of that communication.

It’s wild to think that inspectors (including my mentor) once worked with carbon-copy checklists, filled out by hand onsite with no pictures. Today, reports without photographs are relics. Visual evidence is the standard. Photo-rich reports are more useful, more understandable, and more defensible.

I take a lot of pictures—roughly 150 per inspection. By the time the report is finalized, it includes about 65 to 70 curated images. Early in my career, I didn’t think about composition; I just tried to capture information. But sitting down to write reports later, I often found myself wishing I had taken a photo from a different angle, or just more photos in general. (There are never enough photos.)

Everyone has their own method and style for taking pictures. These are some tips I’ve picked up over the years for taking more intentional inspection photographs: 

Wide Shots 

The first photo I usually take when I arrive at an inspection is a picture of the front of the building. This is what I want to show on my report cover page, and it should allow someone to immediately see that you inspected the correct house. I call these wide shots or general shots. 

The purpose of these photographs is to capture as much information as possible in one picture. They show perspective, relative location to other things and overall condition. General shots are helpful when documenting larger or more complex systems (like water treatment setups). A wide photo showing the whole system is extremely useful, especially if the client brings the report to a specialist for consultation.

I try to get wide shots of the outside of the building, the roof and chimneys, the kitchen, and the basement.

When photographing exteriors (or any object—a wood stove, boiler, etc.), I try to capture two sides at once. That added depth is visually much more informative than a straight-on shot.

Another reason to take these photographs is because you can usually zoom in and crop the picture to capture one detail if you missed a picture of something specific during the inspection.

Detail Shots

You’ll also want to draw attention to specifics. The opposite of general shots are what I refer to as detail shots. Detail shots capture one specific item. I usually know the language I will put in the report, so I try to capture a picture to illustrate what I will later write. These can be the most important photographs because they convey information that may not be accessible and understandable in the written report. Detail shots make up about 75% of the photographs in my reports. 

One way to improve clarity is to photograph items next to a known reference, like a ruler. This is particularly useful for things like siding damage, where close-up photos alone don’t give enough perspective on size or location.

I add arrows to draw attention to specific elements in a photo. I prefer yellow arrows with a thin black outline; they stand out clearly against most backgrounds. Arrows help focus the viewer’s attention on small or subtle details that might otherwise be missed. I’ve seen inspectors use their hands to point things out in photos, but to me that looks messy. Arrows offer a cleaner, more professional look.

Sometimes it is necessary to manipulate what you’re photographing—opening a panel, holding something aside, or pushing on a surface—to effectively show what needs to be seen. Holding out filters, removing a heating duct cover, running a hot tub, etc. Showing how it works gives the item some movement. 

Use a flashlight to create contrast, especially on walls or in dark areas. Proper lighting can be the difference between a useful photo and a useless one.

Take A LOT of Photos

I’m still using older cameras. Cheap, reliable digital cameras are getting harder to find, and I work to keep my little fleet of cameras functioning. 

That said, my cameras aren’t always 100% reliable, and I will often get blurry or smudged lens photographs because the flash is inconsistent and autofocus occasionally misses. Often, I won’t know if I have usable photographs until I get back to my office computer. The solution: Take lots of photographs. 

Taking a lot of photos increases the chance that you will accurately capture what you are trying to capture. In inspection photography, more is almost always better.

Double the number of photos you take in difficult to access locations (like roofs and crawl spaces) because you will likely not go back to that area.

Infrared cameras are great at finding gaps in insulation (during colder months) and to record water temperatures.

Be Ready for the Tough Shots

Sometimes things are difficult to capture, and sometimes you just take bad photos. Often, bad photos are caused from technology shortcomings, how things look when put into PDF format, or from the camera itself. Bad photos can still convey information, of course, but it’s always a debate whether to include them.

Dusty attics can be challenging because cameras struggle to find a clear focal point. In these cases, try different angles or lighting strategies until you get a usable shot.

Documenting ground depressions is another tricky task. It can be difficult to find the right angle to show subtle dips or uneven grading. When possible, use distant reference points (like fences or structures) to provide visual context.

Lead paint often has an “alligator-like crackle pattern” that is sometimes very difficult to capture. Using a flashlight at a low angle is great for this most of the time. 

Dead trees at the edge of a forest is something I try to capture but have never been able to make clear in my reports. 

In Conclusion

Home inspectors may not be experts in every system, but we are expected to clearly document what we find. Photos are a vital part of that process. The better you are at taking purposeful, well-composed pictures, the better you’ll be at communicating with your clients.

Photography classes teach composition, lighting, editing, and presentation. You don’t need to enroll in a photography program to improve, but it is worth pausing to think about what you’re trying to capture, why you’re capturing it, and how you can show it in a way your client can immediately understand.

There’s also another, very practical reason: self-protection. I’ve inspected mobile homes where both the bank appraiser and the insurance agent insisted there were no hurricane tie-downs installed. Later, I checked my report and photos and had multiple images clearly showing hurricane tie-downs from several angles.

Improving your photography is more than just a technical skill; it’s a communication tool that helps you do your job better.

PS — Write articles!

I had an idea recently—making my own work vest—and I thought: Why aren’t more inspectors creating gear? So I made it, and then I wrote about it for the June 2023 issue of the ASHI Reporter. Whenever something keeps surfacing in my mind for a few weeks, that’s a snag worth investigating. Writing articles lets me process my thoughts, and share what I’ve learned.

I believe we can all learn together, and that’s very much the spirit of ASHI: We come together to share knowledge and make each other better.

Please consider writing articles about what you’re trying, what you’re building, what you’re curious about, and even the things you’re unsure of. The profession gets stronger when we put our ideas out there.

Ray Mayo, ACI, has been inspecting houses in southern and midcoast Maine since 2016. He specializes in older homes (1700 to 1800s) and especially enjoys talking through renovation projects with new homeowners. Mayo is currently serving on ASHI’s Certification Committee.