1. Mounting Too High
The instinct is understandable — mount it up high so nobody can grab it. But at 12 feet up, most cameras capture the tops of heads instead of faces. For identification-quality video at an entry point, 7 to 9 feet is the sweet spot: high enough to deter tampering, low enough to actually see who is standing there.
2. Pointing Directly at a Light Source or Window
A camera facing a bright window, a porch light, or the rising sun will produce silhouettes and washed-out footage. Position cameras so light falls on the subject, not into the lens — and when a bright background is unavoidable, look for models with strong WDR (wide dynamic range), which balances bright and dark areas in the same frame.
3. Covering Too Much Area With One Camera
One camera assigned to watch the whole front yard ends up watching nothing well. Detail drops off fast with distance. It is better to use two cameras aimed at specific zones — the walkway and the driveway, for example — than one wide shot of everything.
A simple rule: if a person fills less than about 5% of the frame, you will not identify them. Design coverage so the important zone fills the image.
4. Forgetting About the Wi-Fi Signal at the Mounting Spot
The garage wall or backyard corner where you want a camera is often exactly where your Wi-Fi is weakest — exterior walls, distance, and interference all work against you. Check the signal at the mounting location with your phone before drilling anything. If it is weak, a mesh point or extender solves it before installation day rather than after.
5. Ignoring the Weather Rating
An indoor-rated camera under a thin porch roof will still collect condensation and eventually fail. Outdoor cameras should carry an IP65 rating or better — IP66 or IP67 for spots that take direct rain or sprinklers. It costs little extra and saves a dead camera within a year.
6. Blocking the Motion Detection Zone
Bushes, flags, wind chimes, and seasonal decorations trigger motion alerts constantly and wear down your patience until you mute notifications — which defeats the purpose. Aim cameras away from moving foliage, or trim the detection zone in the app so a swaying branch stays out of the active area.
7. No Plan for Power
Battery cameras are flexible but someone has to recharge them — and a camera mounted under a second-story eave makes that a ladder job every few months. If a power outlet is nearby or you are comfortable with a low-voltage run, a wired or solar-supplemented camera removes a maintenance chore entirely.
When we plan an install, power is usually the deciding factor between "great camera location" and "camera location that will annoy you forever." Think it through before the mount goes up.
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