Our judges can only score what they can see. The best work in the world will not score well if the photos are dark, blurry, or miss the details that matter. The good news is that a modern phone is all you need. Here is how to shoot a job so the work speaks for itself.
Plan your angles before you start
Before the crew touches anything, walk the job and take wide shots from spots you can find again. Stand at the same corner of the yard, or the same doorway in a kitchen. When the job is done, go back to those exact spots. Matching before and after angles is the single most convincing thing you can show.
Shoot the work that gets covered up
During photos are where great entries pull ahead. Judges want to see the parts nobody will ever see again:
- Roofing: bare decking, rot repairs, ice and water shield, step and counter flashing
- Gutters: fascia repairs, hanger spacing, miters before sealing
- Siding: housewrap taping and window flashing
- Windows and doors: sill pans and flashing before trim
- Kitchens and baths: rough-in plumbing and electrical, waterproofing membranes, shower pan flood tests
Light and focus
- Shoot exteriors in even light. Overcast days are great. Avoid having the sun directly behind the house.
- Turn on every light for interiors and open the blinds.
- Hold the phone level and tap the screen to focus on the detail you want.
- Wipe the lens. Job sites are dusty, and a smudged lens makes everything look hazy.
- Take a few of each shot and keep the sharpest one.
What to leave out
For award entries, leave out yard signs, truck logos, and watermarks so judges score the work instead of the brand. Avoid house numbers, license plates, and homeowners’ faces to protect your customer’s privacy. Keep edits to basic cropping and brightness. Heavy filters or retouching can get an entry flagged.
A simple shot list
- 3 to 6 before photos: wide shots plus close-ups of the problem
- 2 to 4 during photos: the hidden workmanship
- 5 to 8 after photos: matching wide shots plus detail close-ups
These photos are not just for awards. The same set makes great material for your website, your social media, and your next sales conversation. When you are ready, you can enter a project here.