tutorials with sketches or photos?

[Pupadou]

So far I've made patterns with the tutorial done on Illustrator, making computer drawings of each step; this is very time-consuming although the final effect is very nice. I want to do the next one using photographs, is this a usual practice for handmade patterns? I guess you take a photo at each step? do you use contrast thread to make the seams more visible in the photos? Anyone willing to share their general process?
Thanks,
Alison

[Former_Member]

Using contrast thread does help but sometimes you can use a computer editing program or something like that to add lines and text to the photos.

[Former_Member]

I don't use contrasting threads. I do use a combination of photos and computer drawn illustrations in all my patterns. Sometimes I feel that I can explain the step better in an illustration than the photograph. I also add text, notes, and arrows to my photos where needed.

For all my decorative stitches I show a photo of the process with each step then at the end of of my instructions, I have a page of the illustrations of the stitches that I made in my drawing program.