> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.captrid.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Capturing Photos

> A step-by-step guide for capturers using the CaptrID mobile app to capture photos.

This guide is for **capturers** — the people using the CaptrID mobile app to take photos. If you've been given a link to this page, your organisation has set up CaptrID for a photo session and you've been assigned to capture photos.

## Getting started

1. **Download the app** — Install CaptrID from the App Store (iOS) or Google Play (Android)
2. **Sign in** — Use the email and password from your invitation email
3. **Find your session** — Your assigned sessions appear on the home screen

<Tip>
  If you don't see any sessions, your admin hasn't assigned you yet. Contact them to be added to a session.
</Tip>

## Capturing a photo

1. **Select a session** from your home screen
2. **Choose a person** from the roster — use the search bar or scroll through the alphabetical list
3. **Filter by status** to find people who still need photos:
   * **Needs Photo** — No photo submitted yet (the default filter)
   * **Retake Requested** — Admin has asked for a new photo
   * **Rejected** — Photo was rejected, needs a new one
4. **Tap on a person** to open the capture screen
5. **Take or choose a photo**:
   * **Camera** — Use the in-app camera with the framing guide
   * **Gallery** — Choose an existing photo from your device
6. **Review the photo** — The app checks image quality automatically
7. **Crop if needed** — Adjust the crop to match the required aspect ratio
8. **Add notes** (optional) — If there's something the admin should know
9. **Submit** — The photo uploads immediately (or queues if you're offline)

## Photo guidelines

For the best results, follow these guidelines when capturing photos:

| Guideline      | Detail                                                                               |
| -------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ |
| **Lighting**   | Use good, even lighting. Avoid harsh shadows on the face. Natural light works well.  |
| **Framing**    | Centre the subject with head and shoulders visible. Use the framing guide on screen. |
| **Resolution** | Hold the device steady. Minimum recommended resolution is 600 x 800 pixels.          |
| **Background** | Use a plain, neutral background where possible. Avoid busy or cluttered backgrounds. |

<Warning>
  Photos with very low resolution, extreme blur, or no visible face will trigger warnings. You can still submit, but your admin may reject the photo and ask for a retake.
</Warning>

## Image quality checks

After you take a photo, the app automatically checks for common issues:

| Check          | What it looks for                                     |
| -------------- | ----------------------------------------------------- |
| Resolution     | Image is at least 600 x 800 pixels                    |
| Brightness     | Not too dark or overexposed                           |
| Blur           | Image is in focus and sharp                           |
| Face detection | A face is visible in the photo (iOS and Android only) |
| File size      | Under 5 MB                                            |

These checks produce **warnings**, not blocks — you can still submit if the quality isn't perfect. However, your admin may reject photos that don't meet their standards.

## Working offline

The CaptrID app works without an internet connection:

1. **Capture photos as normal** — They're saved to your device
2. **A queue badge** appears on your home screen showing how many photos are waiting
3. **When you reconnect**, photos upload automatically in the background
4. **Tap the queue badge** to see the status of each photo

<Info>
  No photos are lost when you work offline. The app stores them safely on your device and retries up to 5 times if an upload fails. You can also tap **Sync Now** to manually trigger uploads.
</Info>

## Photo statuses

After you submit a photo, it goes through a review process:

| Status               | What it means                            | What to do                                    |
| -------------------- | ---------------------------------------- | --------------------------------------------- |
| **Pending**          | Submitted, waiting for admin review      | Nothing — wait for review                     |
| **Approved**         | Admin accepted your photo                | You're done for this person                   |
| **Rejected**         | Admin rejected the photo                 | Check the reason and take a new photo         |
| **Retake Requested** | Admin specifically asked for a new photo | Read the retake notes and capture a new photo |

You can see the status of all your submissions by tapping the **Activity** tab at the bottom of the app.

## Data sessions

If you've been assigned to a **data session** (no photos), the workflow is slightly different:

1. Select the session and choose a person
2. Fill in or update the data fields shown
3. Fields marked as **required** must be completed before you can submit
4. Some fields may be **read-only** — these are shown for context but can't be edited
5. Submit when complete

## Tips for a smooth photo day

* **Charge your device** fully before starting
* **Test the app** by capturing one photo before the main session begins
* **Use the framing guide** — it helps you centre the subject consistently
* **Check your submissions** periodically in the Activity tab to catch any rejections early
* **If working offline**, sync your queue before the end of the day to ensure nothing is left on your device

## Troubleshooting

| Issue                            | Solution                                                                                |
| -------------------------------- | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| No sessions visible              | Ask your admin to assign you to a session                                               |
| Camera permission denied         | Go to your device Settings > CaptrID > Camera and enable access                         |
| Photos stuck in queue            | Check your internet connection, then tap the queue badge > Sync Now                     |
| "Session no longer exists" error | The admin may have deleted or archived the session. Contact them.                       |
| Photo rejected repeatedly        | Read the rejection reason carefully. Common issues: poor lighting, blurry, wrong person |

## Need help?

If you're stuck, contact your organisation's admin — they manage the CaptrID account and can help with access issues. For technical problems, your admin can submit feedback through the app or email [support@captrid.com](mailto:support@captrid.com).