Photos: Your Visual Narrative

Photos provide a clear, unfiltered window into the customer experience, capturing details that words alone cannot describe. A well-taken photo can reveal the cleanliness of a location, the presentation of a product, or subtle nuances of service that might otherwise go unnoticed. Your photographs are critical evidence that helps our clients understand and improve their customer experience. Restaurants often review the dishes their chefs prepare to ensure consistency.

1) Photo Content

✅ Capture specific items requested in guidelines
✅ Remove personal or sensitive items from background
❌ No people in photos (no shopper, family, guests, employees, other patrons)
❌ No selfies

2) Receipts

✅ Photograph right side up
✅ Full view from top to bottom and side to side
✅ Include store name, date, items, totals, tax, payment method
❌ No partial or tilted receipts
❌ No blurry or glare-covered receipts

3) Food/Drink Photos

✅ Capture item exactly as served
✅ Do not alter the plate before photographing
✅ Show branding, portion, and relevant details
❌ No eating before photographing
❌ No obstructed or poorly lit photos

4) GPS Location Details

✅ Turn on GPS/location tagging before capturing
✅ Ensure accurate location verification

5) Upload Requirements

✅ Place photos in correct report sections (i.e. don't upload a receipt to the question asking for a photo of your food).
❌ No PDF uploads - upload them directly from your smartphone

Examples: 

Here's an example of a POOR receipt photo that would NOT meet our mystery shopping guidelines:

❌ Problems with this receipt photo:

• Partially cut off
• Blurry and out of focus
• Poor lighting creates shadows
• Glare obscures important details
• Tilted at an awkward angle
• Cannot read key information like total, date, or store name

 

✅ A PERFECT Mystery Shopping Receipt Photo:

• Key Requirements

  ✅ Fully Visible

  • Entire receipt in frame
  • No cut-off edges

  Visual Quality

  ✅ Clarity

  • Sharp, clear text
  • No blurriness
  • No glare
  • Evenly lit
  • Neutral background

❌ TERRIBLE Mystery Shopping Food Photo

Critical Failures:

• • Blurry and out of focus
  • Poorly lit (dark shadows)
  • Partial plate/dish view
  • Messy background
  • Angle makes dish unrecognizable
  • No clear view of food details
  • Lighting obscures food quality

✅ GOOD Food Photo 

• Entire plate fully visible
• Bright, even lighting
• Horizontal/overhead angle
• Show food in original served condition
• High resolution
• No people in the frame
• Natural colors