A front-end image acquisition component acquires photographs and/or videos of various goods, vehicles, vessels, and/or real estate fixtures. In one aspect, a mobile image acquisition apparatus comprises a camera affixed to a support cord, a computer for displaying acquired images and receiving control commands, a wireless communications transceiver for transmitting the acquired images to a database, a cable for transmitting electrical power to the apparatus, and a cable for transmitting electrical signals between components of the apparatus.