Good initial documentation saves time and reduces guesswork. It does not replace an inspection, but it helps determine whether the next step should be a call, additional photographs, temporary stabilization or an on-site assessment.
Photograph context before detail
Begin with the building elevation or room, then the complete window, then the damaged area. Include interior and exterior views when accessible. This sequence makes close-ups easier to understand.
- Building or room context
- Complete window
- Panel divisions
- Close-ups
- Frame and sill
- Exterior covering
Add measurements and access information
Approximate width, height and distance from the floor help establish scale. Note stairs, landscaping, pews, altars, roofs or other conditions that affect access.
Describe what changed
Explain when the issue was first noticed, whether an impact occurred, whether the panel moves in wind and whether water or fragments are present. Avoid attempting repairs simply to improve the photographs.
