How to Take High Quality Photos for Your Photo Consultation

Core Principles for Clear Consultation Photos

• Positioning: Stand or place the subject facing a window in a brightly lit room. Indirect, soft daylight (such as on an overcast day) provides the most accurate colour accuracy and detail without creating harsh shadows or washing out features.
  
  
• What to Avoid: Never stand with the main light source behind you (backlighting). Avoid dim lamps, coloured lighting, or harsh overhead bathroom spotlights that distort skin tone and texture. Avoid mixing cool daylight with warm indoor lamps.
  
  

• Wipe the Lens: Fingerprints, pocket lint, and skin oils create a cloudy haze over images. Gently clean the camera lens with a microfibre cloth before shooting.
  
  
• Use the Primary Camera: Always use the rear camera rather than the front-facing "selfie" camera. Rear lenses offer higher resolution, superior focus, and significantly less spatial distortion.
  
  
• Hands-Free Shooting: If photographing yourself without assistance, mount the phone on a tripod or stable surface and use a 3-second or 10-second timer to prevent blur and wide-angle facial distortion.
  
  

• Prevent Motion Blur: Hold the phone with both hands, keep your elbows tucked into your ribs, and tap the specific area of concern on your screen to set the focus point before pressing the shutter.
  
  
• Mind the Focus Distance: Smartphones have a minimum focusing distance. Moving too close prevents the lens from focusing. Step back slightly, tap to focus, and ensure the target area is crisp when zoomed in.
  
  
• Keep the Camera Level: Hold the camera straight and parallel to the surface or eye-level with the face. Avoid high or low angles that distort symmetry, size, or proportion.
  
  

Framing & Capturing Context

Preparing the Area & File Guidelines

• Avoid Products and Edits: Photograph the area in its completely natural state. Do not wear make-up, heavy moisturisers, or hair products that alter texture or create artificial shine. Turn off all automatic beauty modes, skin-smoothing settings, and filters in your camera app.
  
  
• Use a Neutral Background: Position yourself or the subject against a plain, uncluttered, solid-coloured wall to prevent visual distractions.
  
  
• Include Scale When Necessary: If dimensions matter (such as a skin lesion, fabric texture, or physical surface damage), include a standard reference object—like a clean coin or tape measure—directly next to the target area in at least one photo.
  
  
• Send Original Files: Avoid sending screenshots, social media uploads, or compressed messaging app files, as these destroy fine image detail. Upload original, uncompressed image files directly to your consultant's secure platform.
  
  
• Organise & Label: Name your files logically before sending (e.g., Front_View.jpg, Left_Profile.jpg, Close_Up_Detail.jpg) to ensure clear communication.
  
  

Pre-Submission Checklist

• [ ] Lighting: Is the subject evenly lit with natural, neutral light?
  
  
• [ ] Clarity: Is the image sharp and in focus when you zoom in?
  
  
• [ ] Authenticity: Are all filters, beauty modes, and editing tools turned off?
  
  
• [ ] Variety: Have you provided wide-context shots as well as close-ups?
  
  
• [ ] Preparation: Is the area clean and completely free of products or makeup?
  
  
• [ ] File Format: Are you sending original, full-resolution image files?
  

Ready for a professional assessment? Photo consultations are available through The Adare Dermatology Clinic across our practice locations in Dublin, Limerick, and London, as well as online. Whether you are submitting images prior to an in-clinic visit or booking a remote assessment, following this guide ensures our specialists can deliver accurate, tailored advice.

Get in touch with your nearest clinic to submit your photos or schedule your consultation.