Prepublish photo quality checklist
Think of this as your last-minute pit stop before the photo races onto your feed. Treat the Feed photo checklist: 12 items before posting like a map you carry in your back pocket. You want sharp resolution, the correct file type, and colors that pop — blurry or washed-out images kill momentum fast. Run through these checks like a pro and you’ll save time, keep your brand crisp, and stop scroll-stopping mistakes before they happen.
You don’t need fancy tools to catch most problems. Open the file, zoom to 100%, and look for noise, banding, or weird artifacts. Ensure your color profile is sRGB so skin tones and product colors stay true across phones. If something looks off, fix it now — small edits here avoid big reuploads later.
Make this quick ritual part of your routine. A fast, consistent prepublish habit keeps your feed cohesive and gives viewers confidence in your content. Bold images get likes; sloppy ones get skipped.
Check file type and resolution for each upload
File type matters. Use JPEG for photos with lots of color and detail, PNG for graphics with sharp edges or text, and WebP when the platform supports it for smaller sizes. Save in sRGB so colors match across devices. If unsure, export two small test files and compare them on your phone.
Resolution drives clarity. For feed posts, aim for at least 1080 px on the short edge and follow platform recommendations for exact sizes. Pixels—not DPI—are what count. After cropping, re-check the pixel dimensions so detail doesn’t vanish after upload.
Compress without losing visible detail
Compression is your friend when done right. Use your editor’s export-for-web option and set quality so the file drops but the image still looks clean. Start around 70–85% quality and preview at 100% to catch banding or blur.
Avoid over-compressing. If artifacts appear, raise the quality a notch. Test on different devices — what looks fine on your laptop may degrade on older phones. Aim for a small file and a strong-looking image.
Run a final prepublish photo quality checklist
Before you hit post, quickly confirm: file type, resolution, color profile, sharpness, compression artifacts, correct crop, visible branding, readable text, alt text filled, caption ready, right aspect ratio, and test on mobile — that’s your fast 12-point sweep.
Composition, lighting, color balance checklist
Treat your feed like a gallery wall: each photo should have clear composition, clean lighting, and accurate color. Ask three quick questions: Is the subject clear? Are the highlights blown out or blocked? Do the colors match the vibe you want? If one answer is no, fix it before posting.
Use a short routine: check the crop, watch the background for distractions, and nudge the exposure if faces look dull or bright. Keep a folder of favorite editing presets, but adjust them per shot so skin and color stay true. Follow a repeatable flow and you’ll post with confidence.
When you’re ready to post, run the same mini-check every time. Say it out loud: composition, lighting, color. That mantra keeps you honest and helps your feed feel cohesive. If you want a checklist name to call out while prepping, use: Feed photo checklist: 12 items before posting.
Use rule of thirds and clear subject focus
Place your subject on a grid intersection for a balanced feel. For portraits, put the eyes on a top intersection; for products, align the subject where the grid meets a line to create motion and space.
Keep backgrounds simple so the subject pops. Move a step left or right, change angle, or blur the background with a wider aperture or portrait mode. Remove or crop out stray objects and bright spots.
Correct white balance and exposure for skin and color
White balance sets the mood: warm, cool, or neutral. Pick a preset that matches the scene or tap the screen on a neutral tone and lock it. Use the temperature slider sparingly to avoid orange faces or blue shadows.
Exposure controls detail. Use the histogram or your eye: avoid full whites and crushed blacks on faces. Reduce highlights if skin is blown out; lift shadows if details vanish. Small adjustments often fix the whole image.
Confirm composition and color balance
Zoom out and scan the thumbnail like a passerby on a scroll. Check that the subject is obvious, the colors read well at small size, and there are no harsh highlights or stray items. If anything feels off, tweak crop, temperature, or exposure once more.
Caption and hashtag checklist
Start with a simple plan: one strong hook, one clear message, and the right tags. Run through a short checklist before you tap post — like a pre-flight list for your feed. Include Feed photo checklist: 12 items before posting so you don’t miss the basics.
Pair your caption with hashtags that match your goal. If you want clicks, use a call to action. If you want followers, use a friendly voice. Keep sentences short and vivid. Let the photo carry the rest.
Before publishing, read the whole post aloud. Check spelling, tags, and that people or brands are credited. Confirm links work and your alt text describes the image. Small fixes now save you chase later.
Write a clear caption that tells your story
Grab attention in the first line. Start with a hook that makes people stop scrolling: ask a question, drop a fun fact, or share a small win. Tell one short story or idea with concrete words and an emotion: taste, sound, or a memory. Add a tiny call to action like tell me below or save this. Break long thoughts into short lines so it’s easy to scan.
Pick relevant hashtags and limit to platform rules
Choose tags that match your photo and audience. Mix a few popular tags with niche ones where you can be seen. Add a location or community tag to reach interested people. Always follow platform rules (for example, Instagram caps at 30 tags).
Keep saved tag groups for different themes and rotate them. Avoid banned or spammy tags that reduce reach. Test which tags bring real engagement.
Finalize caption and hashtag checklist
Do a final pass: read once for voice, once for facts, and once for links and tags. Confirm alt text, credits, and visibility. Hit post with confidence.
Call to action photo checklist
Your photo should pull people in and tell them what to do next. Before posting, check the main CTA is clear in the image or caption. Make sure any overlay text is readable, the action is simple, and the photo leads the eye to the message.
Use the Feed photo checklist: 12 items before posting as a mental run-through so you don’t miss space for a caption, link, or overlay text.
Treat the CTA like the hook in a song. Be bold with one action, keep the tone friendly, and match the CTA to your goal—save, like, share, or click.
Add a simple CTA that tells followers what to do
Pick one clear verb and keep the CTA short: Save this, Tap to shop, or Comment below. Place the CTA where eyes land first—overlay text on the photo or the first line of your caption. Visual cues like arrows, color contrast, or bold text help the action stand out.
Use prompts that encourage saves, likes, and shares
Give people a reason to save: a tip, recipe, or checklist. Say Save this for later or Pin this idea. For likes and shares, tap emotion or usefulness: Like if this helped or Share with a friend who needs this. Keep prompts friendly and specific.
Confirm CTA and engagement prompts
Test different CTAs and watch the numbers. Swap wording or placement and check which gets more saves, likes, or shares. Be consistent, track results, and repeat what works.
Thumbnail crop optimization checklist
Start with a clear goal: make the main subject pop in the feed. When cropping, lock on the subject, keep faces fully visible, and leave breathing room around the edges. Treat this like your Feed photo checklist: 12 items before posting—a quick habit that saves you from awkward cuts.
Use simple guides: center the focal point or follow the rule of thirds, but always check how the crop reads on a phone. Pick the right aspect ratio for the platform, then test square and vertical crops. Bold colors and contrast help your subject stand out when tiny.
Save presets for each platform so you don’t start from scratch. Keep a small library of safe-crop templates with padding built in to batch-process images faster without losing quality or faces.
Crop for mobile grids and avoid cutting faces
Mobile grids show tiny thumbnails. If you cut a chin or forehead, people scroll past. Frame faces inside a safe zone—roughly the center third—so expressions stay readable at a glance. Use guides to mark that zone and nudge the crop or zoom out if needed.
Test how the image looks as a small feed thumbnail
Zoom out until the image is the size of a real thumbnail. Check whether the subject, text, and key details survive the shrink. If the story disappears when tiny, reframe or simplify.
Export a 200–300px version and view it on your phone. If the text blurs or the subject loses contrast, increase spacing, boost contrast, or remove clutter until the tiny view reads clearly.
Final thumbnail crop optimization
Do a last pass: confirm faces are visible, keep 10–20% padding around subjects, straighten horizons, and test the thumbnail once more. Save the final crop as a platform-specific preset.
Feed photo checklist before posting
You want your feed to stop the scroll. Use the Feed photo checklist: 12 items before posting as your safety net. Run through it fast each time and you’ll catch the tiny things that kill engagement — like a blurry subject or a wrong crop.
Checking photos before posting protects your brand and saves time. A single wrong caption or missing alt text can cost reach and trust. Focus on clarity, composition, and the message you want people to feel when they pause on your image. Make this routine part of your process: set reminders or pin the checklist in your drafts.
Use a twelve-item photo checklist to verify every point
This checklist covers both tech and creative sides: resolution, crop, color, file size, caption, hashtags, and accessibility. Treat each item like a quick yes/no box to avoid last-minute surprises. Run it fast but focused—when you verify every point, you reduce mistakes and boost confidence.
Check brand consistency, permissions, and post timing
Match your photos to your brand’s look. Check brand colors, logo placement, and voice in the caption so people feel they’re in the right place. Permissions are non-negotiable: confirm you have the rights to use photos and that any people in the image gave consent. Double-check your schedule and timezone for peak audience activity.
Feed photo checklist: 12 items before posting
1) Image quality — high resolution, no blur
2) Crop & composition — subject centered or on rule-of-thirds
3) Lighting & color — natural look, correct white balance
4) Focus & sharpness — eyes or subject crisp
5) File format & size — optimized for platform, small enough to load fast
6) Aspect ratio — matches platform specs
7) Caption & CTA — clear message and next step
8) Hashtags & mentions — relevant and not spammy
9) Alt text — brief, descriptive for accessibility
10) Brand elements — logo, fonts, colors consistent
11) Permissions & credits — owner consent and photo credit if needed
12) Post timing & timezone — scheduled for peak audience activity
Use the Feed photo checklist: 12 items before posting each time and your posts will look sharp and perform better.
Hello, I’m Wesley, a photographer and content creator with over a decade of experience in the market.My photographic journey began over ten years ago, not with a fancy DSLR, but with an innate curiosity and a desire to capture the world around me. Over the past decade, I’ve honed my skills across various professional settings, from studio work and freelance projects to collaborating with brands on impactful campaigns. Through it all, one profound realization consistently emerged: the best camera is truly the one you have in your hand.This belief forms the cornerstone of my work today. I am passionate about democratizing photography, proving that you don’t need expensive equipment to create stunning, professional-quality images. With just a smartphone, a keen eye for light, and a solid understanding of technique, anyone can produce catalog-worthy photos, engaging content that converts, and visuals that tell compelling stories.On this blog, I share the distilled wisdom of my 10+ years in the field. My expertise lies in teaching practical mobile photography techniques, mastering composition, and refining your editing skills specifically for social media and impactful product photography. My mission is to empower creators, small business owners, and fellow enthusiasts to confidently master mobile photography – without unnecessary technical jargon, just actionable insights and proven methods that deliver real results.If you’re ready to elevate your visual content, create a consistent brand aesthetic, or simply understand how to make your smartphone photos truly shine, you’ve found your guide.Let’s create incredible images together.