Photography Guidance

Good photographs are essential for documenting your garments. Follow these guidelines to capture clear, useful images for the archive.

Equipment

• A smartphone or digital camera
• A plain, uncluttered background (a white sheet works well)
• Good natural light or a well-lit room
• A dress form or mannequin (optional but helpful)

Essential Shots

• Full front view — the garment displayed flat or on a form, showing the entire front
• Full back view — as above, showing the entire back
• Detail shots — close-ups of fastenings, trimmings, labels, construction details, and any damage or alterations
• Interior — show the inside construction, lining, seams, and any internal features

Tips

• Use natural daylight where possible — avoid flash as it can wash out colours and textures
• Keep the background simple and consistent across shots
• Include a ruler or tape measure in at least one shot for scale
• Photograph any labels, stamps, or maker's marks
• Capture areas of damage, repair, or alteration
• Take more photos than you think you need — you can select the best ones later

Image Requirements

• Maximum 10 images per garment
• Maximum file size: 10MB per image
• Accepted formats: JPEG, PNG, WebP