Hurricane season is just around the corner, which means it’s time to update your home inventory.
While you don’t need to be a photography expert when it comes to compiling your home inventory, there are a few considerations you should keep in mind when shooting your home valuables… as they say, a picture is worth a thousand words.
To help you, we’ve rounded up ten top tips on taking the perfect home inventory photo.
Photo Tip #1:
Use a digital camera with flash capabilities, a video camera, or your smartphone. Oftentimes, natural lighting is not strong enough inside the home, and the last thing you want is a dark photo that makes it hard to depict the item included.
Photo Tip #2:
Place a notecard or post-it note with the purchase price and purchase date next to the photographed item.
Photo Tip #3:
Save images to a cloud storage service (e.g., DropBox) and a CD or external hard drive. Make multiple copies – one to store in your safe and the other to keep with a relative or close friend in case your copy is destroyed on accident.
Photo Tip #4:
Include a family member in the photo to validate ownership of big-ticket valuables.
Photo Tip #5:
To showcase quantity of clothing and/or accessories, photograph closets with the doors open, and dresser drawers pulled out.
Photo Tip #6:
Hold the camera at a 45-degree angle when photographing items with a shiny or reflective surface, such as jewelry, mirrors or silver dinnerware. This will help to avoid glare.
Photo Tip #7:
Use dark cloth or paper as a backdrop for items like silver, china and jewelry.
Photo Tip #8:
It’s all in the details. Take close-up shots to capture finishes, hardware, windows, cabinets, floors and brands on appliances.
Photo Tip #9:
Don’t forget the garage. Take photos of your garage, including power tools, and other valuables (bikes, surfboards, etc.).
Photo Tip #10:
Lighting is key. Make sure all lights are on before photographing your possessions.
Even better, take advantage of the Florida sunshine! When taking photos of smaller items, stage them near a window to capture the natural light.