The first step is to create a digital "photofile" of your property – a virtual tour in pictures.

 

It’s best to use a digital camera, although you can use a standard camera as long as you save the final pictures digitally on a CD. If you don’t know how to do this yourself, your local photo lab or camera shop can do it for you.

The following Photofile Guidelines describe the process for documenting a residential property. Please follow these guidelines for all property types you wish to register, as the same principles apply for effective documentation.

Photofile Guidelines

1. Choose the MEDIUM setting on your camera; image size needs to be minimum 250KB. Photograph your property using the widest shots possible.
   - Start with the outside of your house.
   - Shoot your neighbourhood street looking both ways.
   - Take a wide shot of the house, driveway and yard.
   -Take a wide shot of the back yard and back of house.
    

2. Next shoot the inside of the house one room at a time.
   - Pay attention to any special features (bay windows, indoor pool, stairway).
   - Try to duplicate the experience of someone arriving at the location walking through the building.
   - Stand on one side of the room you are photographing and take a picture.
   - Next, take a "reverse" shot by walking over to the opposite side of the room and take a photograph of the area you were just standing in.
   - Show entrances in your photos if possible.

3. Save each image onto a CD as a JPEG file.
   - Make sure you label each location image accordingly (eg. "kitchen.jpg," "bathroom.jpg," "back view.jpg").
   - Please do NOT add any text directly onto a photo, we are unable to use any images containing text.
   - Be sure you label your CD with contact information using a permanent marker.
   - PLEASE NOTE: We do not accept images submitted in PowerPoint or any other format other than individual JPEG files.
    
4. You must include a signed and dated copy of the release and consent form with your CD, otherwise we cannot use your location photos.
   - To obtain a printed copy of the consent and release, please click here.
   - Remember to save all photos as JPEG's, and do not include more than one location in a file.
   - Please remember to provide contact information including the property owner or authorized person, phone numbers including cell number, address and postal code with your photofile.
    
5. Please submit your CD of photo files in an environmentally friendly envelope. Please do not use bubble wrap envelopes or plastic CD cases in consideration of the environment. Alternatives can include a piece of recycled cardboard cut to fit a CD or a CD envelope. Your CD may be submitted by mail or dropped off at our office:
   
   BC Film Commission
   Attn: Digital Library
   #201 - 865 Hornby Street
   Vancouver, BC  V6Z 2G3