How to Take and Send Photos to Your Doctor

Tips for Taking Photos for Your Doctor

You can help your doctor better understand your health concern by attaching photos to a MyChart message. These photos are secure and only accessible to your care team as part of your medical record.

How to Attach Photos in MyChart

• In the MyChart app or on the MyChart website, create a Medical Advice message.
• Attach up to three photos from your camera roll or take photos directly with your smartphone as you compose the message.
   

Tips for Clear and Helpful Photos

Lighting and Background

• Take photos in bright, natural light or a well-lit room to avoid shadows. 
• Use a plain background (white or blue works best). 
• Avoid using flash.
   

Positioning

• Have someone else take the photo if possible.
• Point the camera directly at the area of concern and tap the screen to focus. 
  • Take two photos:
    • One from about 4 feet away.
    • One close-up from about 6 inches away. Avoid using the zoom feature for the close-up.
       

Clarity

• Make sure the photos are sharp and in focus. Retake blurry images.
• Include all affected areas in the photos.

Additional Tips for Skin Conditions

• Use a pen or marker to draw a dot on both sides of a growth before taking the photo.
• For rashes on hands or feet, take photos of both sides of both hands or feet, including fingernails and toenails.
   

What to Include in Your Message

When sending photos, add these details to your message:

Location: Where the issue is. For example, “right arm between the elbow and shoulder.”
Size: Approximate size. For example, “about 2 inches wide.”
Color: Describe the color. For example, “light pink” or “dark red.”
Duration: How long you’ve had the problem and how it’s changed over time (size, shape, color).
Symptoms: Briefly describe symptoms. For example, “rash is itchy, bumpy, swollen, or painful.”
Treatments Tried: Note any home or medical treatments you’ve tried and their results.
 

Clear photos and detailed information help your care team assess your health concern and provide the best guidance.

Adapted from Kaiser Permanente.