diff --git a/server/FILE_UPLOAD_IMPLEMENTATION.md b/server/FILE_UPLOAD_IMPLEMENTATION.md
index 21cb097..1ecdb4b 100644
--- a/server/FILE_UPLOAD_IMPLEMENTATION.md
+++ b/server/FILE_UPLOAD_IMPLEMENTATION.md
@@ -100,14 +100,30 @@ Files are accessible at: `http://localhost:3005/uploads/{filename}`
 
 ### 1. Upload Photo
 
+**Important**: The user must be signed in with Clerk to upload photos. The frontend automatically includes the Clerk session token in the Authorization header.
+
+```typescript
+// Frontend usage (with Clerk authentication)
+const formData = new FormData();
+formData.append('photo', file);
+
+// The reportService automatically includes the auth token
+const { url, exifData } = await reportService.uploadPhoto(file);
+```
+
+**Manual API call** (for testing):
 ```typescript
 const formData = new FormData();
 formData.append('photo', file);
 
+// Get Clerk token (in a Clerk-authenticated component)
+const { getToken } = useAuth();
+const token = await getToken();
+
 const response = await fetch('/api/reports/upload', {
   method: 'POST',
   headers: {
-    'Authorization': `Bearer ${clerkToken}`
+    'Authorization': `Bearer ${token}`
   },
   body: formData
 });
diff --git a/src/components/report/ReportForm.tsx b/src/components/report/ReportForm.tsx
index 71d9ed5..ddc8b21 100644
--- a/src/components/report/ReportForm.tsx
+++ b/src/components/report/ReportForm.tsx
@@ -1,5 +1,6 @@
 import { useState } from 'react';
 import { useNavigate } from 'react-router-dom';
+import { useAuth } from '@clerk/clerk-react';
 import { PhotoUpload, type PhotoMetadata } from './PhotoUpload';
 import { LocationSelector } from './LocationSelector';
 import { reportService } from '@/services/reportService';
@@ -56,6 +57,7 @@ const CONCERN_TYPES = [
 
 export function ReportForm() {
   const navigate = useNavigate();
+  const { isSignedIn, isLoaded } = useAuth();
   const [currentStep, setCurrentStep] = useState(1);
   const [formData, setFormData] = useState<FormData>({
     photos: [],
@@ -232,6 +234,31 @@ export function ReportForm() {
 
   return (
     <div className="max-w-3xl mx-auto">
+      {/* Authentication Warning */}
+      {isLoaded && !isSignedIn && (
+        <div className="mb-6 p-4 bg-yellow-50 border border-yellow-200 rounded-lg">
+          <div className="flex items-start">
+            <svg className="w-5 h-5 text-yellow-600 mt-0.5 mr-3" fill="currentColor" viewBox="0 0 20 20">
+              <path fillRule="evenodd" d="M8.257 3.099c.765-1.36 2.722-1.36 3.486 0l5.58 9.92c.75 1.334-.213 2.98-1.742 2.98H4.42c-1.53 0-2.493-1.646-1.743-2.98l5.58-9.92zM11 13a1 1 0 11-2 0 1 1 0 012 0zm-1-8a1 1 0 00-1 1v3a1 1 0 002 0V6a1 1 0 00-1-1z" clipRule="evenodd" />
+            </svg>
+            <div>
+              <h3 className="text-sm font-medium text-yellow-800">Authentication Required</h3>
+              <p className="mt-1 text-sm text-yellow-700">
+                You must be signed in to submit a report. Please{' '}
+                <a href="/sign-in" className="font-medium underline hover:text-yellow-900">
+                  sign in
+                </a>{' '}
+                or{' '}
+                <a href="/sign-up" className="font-medium underline hover:text-yellow-900">
+                  create an account
+                </a>{' '}
+                to continue.
+              </p>
+            </div>
+          </div>
+        </div>
+      )}
+      
       {/* Progress Indicator */}
       <div className="mb-8">
         <div className="flex items-center justify-between">
diff --git a/src/services/reportService.ts b/src/services/reportService.ts
index 4650bca..1072525 100644
--- a/src/services/reportService.ts
+++ b/src/services/reportService.ts
@@ -49,7 +49,17 @@ class ReportService {
     });
 
     if (!response.ok) {
-      throw new Error('Failed to upload photo');
+      if (response.status === 401) {
+        throw new Error('You must be signed in to upload photos. Please sign in and try again.');
+      }
+      
+      // Try to get error details from response
+      try {
+        const errorData = await response.json();
+        throw new Error(errorData.error?.message || 'Failed to upload photo');
+      } catch {
+        throw new Error('Failed to upload photo');
+      }
     }
 
     return response.json();