A motion compensation system for a shearography apparatus includes: an adjustable first fold mirror to reflect laser radiation to a receiving aperture of the shearography apparatus during separate pulse periods at corresponding angles of reflection; and corresponding second fold mirrors to reflect the laser radiation from a target surface to the first fold mirror during the respective pulse periods. The shearography apparatus moves with respect to the target surface between the separate pulse periods. The angles of reflection make the laser radiation reflected from the target surface via the respective second fold mirrors appear to the receiving aperture as if the shearography apparatus is stationary with respect to the target surface. In another system, the second fold mirrors are replaced by an adjustable second fold mirror to reflect the laser radiation from the target surface to the first fold mirror during the pulse periods at corresponding second angles of reflection.