Photo sequence
- Room overview: photograph each wall, closet, cabinet, shelf, and drawer before moving anything.
- Category photos: group similar items together: jewelry, silver, art, books, toys, rugs, tools, glass, pottery, and furniture.
- Detail photos: capture signatures, maker marks, labels, hallmarks, edition numbers, condition issues, and accessories.
- Scale photos: include a ruler, measuring tape, or neutral object when size affects value.
- Record photos: photograph receipts, appraisals, certificates, old labels, and family notes next to the item.
Category checklist
Jewelry and silver
Marks, clasp, stone condition, weight if available, boxes, receipts, appraisals, flatware patterns, and hollowware damage.
Paintings and prints
Front, back, signature, medium, labels, frame, edition, condition, dimensions, and provenance notes.
Porcelain, pottery, glass
Maker marks, form, chips, cracks, repairs, crazing, glaze, shape number, pattern name, and matched sets.
Furniture and rugs
Dimensions, labels, joinery, hardware, underside, repairs, odors, stains, pile wear, edges, and back construction.
Toys and games
Boxes, instructions, missing parts, battery compartments, paint, moving parts, maker marks, and accessory matches.
Books and paper
Title pages, copyright pages, dust jackets, inscriptions, plates, maps, condition, and whether papers are private family records.
File naming
Use simple filenames such as room-category-number: `living-art-001`, `garage-tools-012`, `jewelry-ring-003`. Keep a matching spreadsheet with description, condition, location found, and follow-up needed.
Privacy filter
Do not publish or share photos that show personal documents, account numbers, prescriptions, license plates, family letters, passports, or private photographs. Those should be separated before any buyer-facing gallery is made.