High-quality documentary photo series have a special place in rhinoplasty. The exact photographic reproduction of the nasal contours is an essential part of surgical planning, documentation and follow-up of one’s own work. Good photographs can only be achieved using suitable technology and with a good knowledge of photography. Standard operating procedures are also necessary. The photographic equipment should consist of a digital single-lens reflex camera, studio flash equipment and a suitable room for photography with a suitable backdrop. The high standards required cannot be achieved with simple photographic equipment. The most important part of the equipment is the optics. Fixed focal length lenses with a focal length of about 105 mm are especially suited to this type of work. Nowadays, even a surgeon without any photographic training is in a position to produce a complete series of clinical images. With digital technology, any of us can take good photographs. The correct exposure, the right depth of focus for the key areas of the nose and the right camera angle are the decisive factors in a good image series. Up to six standard images are recommended in the literature for the proper documentation of nasal surgery. The most important are frontal, three quarters and profile views. In special cases, close-up images may also be necessary. Preparing a professional image series is labour-intensive and very expensive. Large hospitals no longer employ professional photographers. Despite this, we must strive to maintain a high standard of photodocumenation for publications and to ensure that cases can be compared at congresses.