Owner photographs that help a production

Give the viewer a sequence, not repeated angles

Begin with a wide establishing view. For a location, follow with the main spaces and the transitions between them. For a prop, include its overall shape, both sides where useful, a scale reference and the details that distinguish it. Add a closer view when it answers a different question, not simply because it is another attractive crop.

Keep the original photographs on your own device. If you make a brighter or smaller reference copy, avoid changes that misrepresent the place or object. Do not remove structural features, surrounding buildings, wear or visible restrictions to make the submission look more appealing.

• Give each photograph a short, factual caption.
• Identify a view as interior, exterior, detail or reverse angle.
• Note when a reference is older or the arrangement has changed.

Check the frame and the file

Review photographs for faces, personal documents, door codes, registration details, private addresses and other information that does not help evaluate the visual reference. Retake the photograph or choose another angle when those details are unnecessary. Do not assume that keeping a submission private makes every item in the frame appropriate to share.

Before sharing a reference copy, review its embedded metadata as well as the visible image. Keep the original file separately and remove unnecessary private information from the copy. Contact the production team to agree on a suitable way to share your references.

Confirm the right to share the photograph

Ownership of a property or object does not, by itself, establish ownership of a photograph showing it. The U.S. Copyright Office explains that the photographer is generally the initial author and copyright owner, with limited exceptions such as qualifying works made for hire. Check the arrangement for professionally supplied photographs before uploading them.

Keep a clear distinction between permission to share a photograph for private review, permission to publish it, and permission to use the location or prop in a production. Agree on each use with the appropriate person before proceeding.