Guide
What Photos Do You Need for Online Luxury Authentication?
Published 2026-08-18 · Reviewed 2026-08-18
Online authentication is only as good as the photos it reviews, so the honest answer to "what photos do I need?" is: the ones that show the details a reviewer actually examines. For most items that means a small, specific set — the item overall, its labels or stamps, its stitching or construction detail, its hardware, and any serial or date marking it carries.
At Guardvera you don't need to memorize any of this. After you choose your exact item type, a guided shot-by-shot checklist walks you through each required photo with plain instructions — this guide simply explains what those shots are and why they matter.
The photo set depends on the item type
A handbag, a sneaker and a watch are photographed very differently, so Guardvera organizes its requirements into item families, each with its own checklist and its own photo count:
- Bags: 7–12 photos — the full front, the interior label, stitching and edge detail, plus the serial or date code, zippers and hardware engravings where present.
- Footwear: 5–11 photos — both sides and the sole, plus the insole, tongue label and box label where available.
- Watches: 6–12 photos — the dial straight on, the side with the crown, the full caseback, plus clasp and bracelet details where present.
- Clothing: 4–10 photos — the full front and back, the care label, plus the neck label, stitching and hardware where present.
- Wallets and small leather goods: 4–9 photos — front and back, plus stamps, hardware engravings, interior stitch detail and any serial marking where present.
- Jewelry: 4–10 photos — the whole piece, its reverse, plus hallmark, clasp and engraving close-ups where present.
Why these specific shots
Reviewers assess an item as a whole rather than from a single "tell", so the checklist is built to capture several independent signals: overall proportions and construction, the way labels and stamps are executed, stitching consistency, hardware finishing, and identifying markings where the item has them. One clear photo of each beats many photos of the same angle.
That is also why "where present" appears so often. A tee has no zipper and some bags carry no serial tab — checklists only ask for what your item can actually show, and optional shots never block your submission.
Quality matters more than equipment
A recent phone camera is enough. What actually decides whether photos are usable is light, focus and framing: daylight or a bright room, the detail filling the frame, and the camera held steady so lettering stays sharp. Clear, well-lit photos give the most reliable review — and reduce the chance that additional photos are requested later.
When you take the photos
At Guardvera, photos are uploaded right after payment: you pick the item type, see the exact price before you pay, and then the guided checklist opens. Nothing needs to be shipped anywhere — the item stays with you the entire time.
Common questions
- Do the photos have to be taken with a professional camera?
- No. A phone camera is fine — lighting, focus and framing matter far more than the device. Take photos in bright, even light and let each detail fill the frame.
- What if my item is missing one of the requested details?
- Checklists mark detail shots as "where present". If your item has no serial tab, no box or no hang tag, you simply skip that shot — reviewers assess what your item actually shows.
- Can I see the checklist before paying?
- Yes — the photo guide pages preview each family's required shots, so you know what to expect before you start.