> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.florists.digital/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.
# Taking Order Photos
> Best practices for delivery proof photos and in-shop order photos.
**Every photo you take of an order serves a purpose — whether it's proof that a delivery arrived safely, an internal record of what was made, or a photo your customer receives in their delivery notification.** Getting these right protects your business, keeps customers happy, and builds your reputation. Here's how to take better operational photos with minimal effort.
## Where photos are used
Photos you take in Digital Florists fall into two categories:
* **Delivery photos** — taken by your driver when they deliver an order. These are sent to the customer automatically in their delivery notification email.
* **Internal attachments** — photos taken in-shop for your own records. These are NOT shared with the customer.
The key difference: delivery photos go to the customer. Internal photos stay with your team. Keep this in mind every time you take a photo — is this customer-facing or internal?
Delivery photos are sent directly to the customer. Make sure they show the arrangement looking its best — not your driver's shoes, the inside of the van, or a blurry doorstep shot.
## Delivery proof photos
When your driver marks an order as fulfilled, they're prompted to take a photo. This photo serves as proof of delivery and is automatically emailed to the customer.
### What makes a good delivery photo
* **Show the arrangement clearly** — the flowers should be the main focus of the shot
* **Include the delivery location** — the doorstep, reception desk, or handover point gives context
* **Good lighting** — take a moment to find a well-lit spot. Natural daylight is best.
* **Steady and in focus** — hold still, tap to focus on the arrangement, then take the shot
* **Clean framing** — no fingers in the frame, no van dashboard visible, no rubbish bins in the background
### What makes a bad delivery photo
| Avoid this | Do this instead |
| --------------------------------------------------------- | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| **Blurry shot** taken while rushing back to the van | Stop, hold still, tap to focus, then shoot |
| **Dark doorstep** with arrangement barely visible | Step back so daylight reaches the shot, or turn on the porch light |
| **Driver's feet or van** visible in the frame | Frame the shot with just the arrangement and doorstep |
| **Arrangement on the ground** next to bins or clutter | Place the arrangement somewhere presentable before photographing |
| **No photo taken** — skipped because they were in a hurry | Always take the photo. It takes 5 seconds and protects you if there's a dispute. |
Train your drivers to place the arrangement somewhere presentable before photographing — a clean doorstep, a table in a reception area, or held by the person receiving it. The extra 10 seconds make a huge difference to what the customer sees.
### Multiple photos
Drivers can upload multiple photos per delivery. This is useful when:
* Delivering to a reception or office where you want to show the handover
* The arrangement is large or multi-piece (photograph each part)
* You want a wide shot of placement plus a close-up of the flowers
### Carded deliveries
If nobody is home, your driver can mark the order as "carded" (card left). A delivery note is recorded explaining where the arrangement was left. The photo becomes even more important here — it shows the customer exactly where their flowers are.
## In-shop order photos
You can also attach photos to orders from within the shop. These are useful for:
* **Recording what was made** — snap each arrangement before it goes out, so you have a record of exactly what the customer received
* **Quality checks** — managers can review what's being produced
* **Dispute resolution** — if a customer says "this isn't what I ordered", you have photographic proof
In-shop photos are saved as internal attachments and are **not** sent to the customer.
### Quick in-shop photo tips
1. **Find a consistent spot** — pick a clean, well-lit area in your shop and take every order photo there
2. **Use natural light** — near a window is ideal. Turn off overhead fluorescents if possible.
3. **Clean background** — a plain wall or clean counter. No scissors, tape, or offcuts visible.
4. **Fill the frame** — the arrangement should take up most of the photo
5. **Take the photo before wrapping** — capture the arrangement before it goes into packaging
Consistency matters. If you photograph every order in the same spot with the same background, your internal records look professional and are easy to review. It also builds a portfolio of your work over time.
## What the customer receives
When a driver marks an order as fulfilled with delivery photos, the customer automatically receives an email containing:
* Your company logo and branding
* All delivery photos (only those marked as "delivery" type)
* The delivery timestamp
* A delivery note if the order was carded
You can resend delivery photos to a customer at any time from the order page if they didn't receive the email or need it again.
## Photo settings
You can control photo requirements in **Settings** > **General** > **Drivers**:
* **Require photo for deliveries** — when enabled, drivers must take a photo before they can mark an order as fulfilled. This is on by default. Keep it on unless you have a specific reason to turn it off.
* **Require photo before delivery run starts** — when enabled, photos must be taken before the run begins (useful for pre-dispatch documentation)
Keep "Require photo for deliveries" turned on. It protects you from disputes, gives customers a great experience, and builds good habits with your drivers. The few seconds it takes per delivery is worth it.
## Common questions
Yes. Go to **Settings** > **General** > **Drivers** and enable **Require photo for deliveries**. Drivers won't be able to mark orders as fulfilled without uploading a photo first.
No. Only photos marked as "delivery" type are sent to customers. Photos attached from the shop (internal attachments) are for your records only and are never shared.
Yes. Open the order and use the resend option. The customer will receive a fresh email with the delivery photos.
If the setting allows it, the driver can mark that a photo isn't required for a specific delivery. Take one anyway when you can — it only takes a moment and protects you if the customer later disputes the delivery.
## Related
Plan delivery runs and manage your drivers.
Track deliveries and share live updates with customers.
Manage your orders and view attached photos.
Run consultations that build trust and win bookings.