Real Estate Photography Prep Checklist

My goal is to photograph your home with the highest quality that will wow buyers and bring traffic to your property. To ensure your photoshoot goes smoothly and safely, I’ve put together this preparation checklist of things you should do prior to your scheduled shoot. 

General Prep 

❑ Be shoot-ready: All cleaning and staging needs to be done before I arrive, preferably the day before your photoshoot. I may move small items (flowers, small pictures, etc.) to improve photo composition, but larger items need to be in place before I arrive, and staging accessories need to be in place as well. 

❑ Secure or remove pets. Pets - and their accessories such as bowels, beds, leashes, etc - must be out of sight or off the property. MLS rules also prohibit people and pets from being in pictures. 

❑ Plan not to be seen: All occupants should plan on either being off the property or remain in areas where they can't be seen during the photoshoot. Rooms overlap in the photos, people can cause shadows and reflections, and there is risk to equipment that will be setup throughout the property. 

❑ Use the garage for storage: I normally don’t shoot garages, so this is a great place to store items you’d like to hide.

Outside Prep 

❑ Clear the cars: Make sure no cars are in the driveway. If possible, also move cars away from the street in front of the home. We want as clear a view as possible of your property and cars can often be seen through downstairs windows. 

❑ Do NOT wet driveways: If a wet look is desired, this can possibly be added in the editing process. Watering driveways can cause patches of dry spots and puddles, so adding it in editing is best, per special request. 

❑ Hide trash cans: Trash cans can be placed at the curb of the property or in the garage. 

❑ Hide hoses: Do this the day before the shoot since hoses can drip water onto the pavement when being moved, leaving puddles in your pictures. 

❑ Mow and trim the yard at least 24 hours prior to your photoshoot. 

❑ Turn off sprinklers. Do not water the day of the shoot to prevent puddles on pavement. 

❑ Pick up poop: If you have a dog, make sure that all of their droppings are cleared from the yard. 

❑ Prep pool and spa: If you have a pool and/or spa, please have them clean with covers removed. For spas, provide instructions to the realtor on how to turn it on. 

❑ Prep water features: If you have fountains, waterfalls, etc., please clean them and provide instructions to the realtor on how to turn them on. 

❑ Remove coming-soon/ for-sale signs: The coming-soon or for-sale sign should be removed from sight, placed in the garage, or installed after the shoot, since visible signs violate MLS policies and can’t always be edited out. 

❑ Clean patio furniture: Dust and remove cobwebs from all outdoor furniture. Uncover all grills and open any umbrellas. Do not hose down your furniture the day of your shoot, since this can create puddles. 

Inside Prep 

❑ Declutter kitchen: A few items on the counters are usually fine, but dishes, sponges, rags, dish soap, etc. should be put away. It's best to remove all magnets, pictures, etc. from the refrigerator and remove throw rugs from the floor. 

❑ Declutter bathrooms: Toothpaste, toothbrushes, razors, and other "personal" items should be hidden, including on sinks and in bathtubs/showers. Decorative unused soaps, candles, flowers, etc. are preferred. It’s also good to remove all throw rugs from the floor to showcase the flooring type. 

❑ Put toilet seats down and hide plungers and toilet brushes.

❑ Prep bedrooms: All bedrooms should have their beds made and personal items put away. 

❑ Hide trash cans: Trash cans can be distracting so it’s best to hide all of them in closets or the garage. 

❑ Hide portable fans: Ceiling fans are selling items but portable fans can give the wrong impression. It’s best to hide all portable fans in closets or the garage. 

❑ Hide cords and remotes: Sometimes electrical cords can’t be hidden, but you will have more appealing pictures if you can hide TV remotes, game consoles, chargers and any noticeable cords. 

❑ Clear entryways: Remove all shoes, umbrellas, and similar items from entryways. 

❑ Open blinds with views: Your indoor photos will show outdoor views if there are views, or just light if a window looks onto a neighbor or other unappealing view. 

❑ Turn all tv’s and computer screens off.

❑ Turn on lights: Before I arrive, please make sure all interior lights are turned on, including lamps. If need-be, please replace all burned-out bulbs at least 24 hours before the photoshoot. 

❑ Turn off ceiling fans: Before I arrive, please make sure all ceiling fans are turned off.