The 60-Second Job Site Photo System

The biggest obstacle to before & after content is that it never gets captured. The job starts, you get to work, and by the time you think about photos the "before" is gone. This lesson solves that with a dead-simple routine.

The 3-Shot System

Before touching anything on a job, take exactly 3 photos. This takes 30–45 seconds and gives you everything you need for great content.

1. Shot 1 — Wide shot of the whole area. Step back and get the full scene in frame. This sets the context and shows the scope of the problem.
2. Shot 2 — Close-up of the problem. Get close enough that the issue is unmistakable. This is the detail shot that proves there was something to fix.
3. Shot 3 — Close-up of a key detail that shows your expertise. The date stamp on a corroded part, the brand of a faulty component, the exact failure point.

Phone Settings for Better Photos

• Turn HDR on — most modern phones have this. It balances bright and dark areas in rooms.
• Use portrait mode for close-ups — it focuses on the subject and blurs the background.
• Don't use digital zoom — walk closer instead. Zoomed photos look grainy when posted.
• Tap to focus — tap the screen on the specific part you want sharp before shooting.
• Horizontal works for Facebook and Google Posts. Vertical works for Instagram Stories and Reels.
• Clean your lens — a smudged lens makes every photo look hazy. Wipe it before each job.

Creating a Consistent Look (Optional but Impressive)

If you want a more professional look, free apps like Snapseed or VSCO let you apply the same filter and brightness adjustment to every photo. Consistent brightness and contrast makes a feed look intentional and polished — even without a photographer.