Read before the shoot

Real Estate Photography Preparation Guide

Introduction:

To help capture your property at its finest and maximize its appeal to potential buyers, please follow this guide to prepare for your upcoming photography session.

General Preparation

Property Readiness: Ensure all cleaning and staging activities are completed before the photographer's arrival, ideally the day before the scheduled shoot. While minor adjustments to small decorative items may be made by the photographer, all major furniture and staging elements should be in their final positions.
Pet Management: For the safety of the photographer and their equipment, and to comply with MLS regulations, all pets must be secured or removed from the premises during the photography session. This includes ensuring pets are not visible in any photos. It is also recommended to put away pet food and water dishes.
Occupant Absence/Concealment: To avoid interference with the photography process, all residents should plan to be off-site or remain in areas where they cannot be seen during the shoot. This precaution helps prevent shadows, reflections, and potential damage to equipment.
Garage as Storage: Utilize the garage space to store any items you wish to keep out of view, as the garage is generally not included in the photography.

Exterior Preparation

Vehicle Removal: Ensure the driveway is clear of all vehicles. If feasible, clear the street directly in front of the property as well, to provide an unobstructed view.
Driveway Condition: Refrain from wetting the driveway. If a wet appearance is desired, the photographer will add this effect during post-processing. Wetting the driveway can lead to uneven drying and puddles.
Waste Container Concealment: Relocate trash cans to an inconspicuous location, such as the side of the house or inside the garage.
Hose Management: Store hoses the day before the shoot to prevent water from dripping onto pavement and creating puddles in the photos.
Lawn Maintenance: Mow and trim the lawn at least 24 hours prior to the scheduled photography session.
Sprinkler System: Disable sprinklers on the day of the shoot to avoid puddles on paved surfaces.
Pet Waste Removal: Ensure the yard is free of all pet droppings.
Pool and Spa Preparation: Clean the pool and/or spa and remove any covers. Provide the realtor with instructions on how to activate the spa.
Water Feature Preparation: Clean any fountains, waterfalls, or other water features and provide the realtor with instructions for turning them on.
For-Sale Sign: Remove the for-sale sign before the photography session or install it afterward. Visible signs can violate MLS rules and may be difficult to remove in editing.
Patio Furniture: Clean all outdoor furniture by dusting and removing cobwebs. Avoid hosing down furniture on the day of the shoot to prevent puddles.

Interior Preparation

Kitchen Decluttering: Minimize items on kitchen counters. Put away dishes, sponges, rags, and other everyday items. Clear the refrigerator of magnets, pictures, and other personal items. Remove any small rugs from the kitchen floor.
Bathroom Decluttering: Conceal personal toiletries such as toothpaste, toothbrushes, and razors. Decorative soaps, candles, and flowers are acceptable. Remove all small rugs from bathroom floors.
Bedroom Preparation: Make all beds and tidy up all items in the bedrooms.
Wastebasket Concealment: Hide all trash cans in closets or the garage to avoid distractions in the photos.
Fan Management: Hide portable fans, as ceiling fans are considered a selling point, while portable fans may create a negative impression.
Cord and Remote Management: Conceal electrical cords where possible. Hide TV remotes, game consoles, and other visible cords to enhance the visual appeal of the photos.
Entryway Clearing: Remove shoes, umbrellas, and similar items from entryways.
Blind Positioning: Open blinds to showcase outdoor views or allow natural light if the view is undesirable.
Interior Lighting: Turn on all interior lights before the photographer arrives. Replace any burned-out light bulbs at least 24 hours before the shoot.
Ceiling Fan Status: Ensure all ceiling fans are turned off prior to the photographer's arrival.

Twilight Preparation (If Applicable)

Lighting Activation: Turn on all interior and exterior lights throughout the property. Replace any burned-out bulbs at least 24 hours in advance.
Spa Preparation: Remove the spa cover and turn on the spa, including its lights, before the photographer arrives.
Pool Lighting: Turn on the pool lights before the photographer's arrival.
Water Feature Activation: Turn on any fountains, waterfalls, or similar water features before the photographer arrives.

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Read before the shoot

Real Estate Photography Preparation Guide

Introduction:

To help capture your property at its finest and maximize its appeal to potential buyers, please follow this guide to prepare for your upcoming photography session.

General Preparation

Occupant Absence/Concealment: To avoid interference with the photography process, all residents should plan to be off-site or remain in areas where they cannot be seen during the shoot. This precaution helps prevent shadows, reflections, and potential damage to equipment.

Garage as Storage: Utilize the garage space to store any items you wish to keep out of view, as the garage is generally not included in the photography.

Exterior Preparation

Vehicle Removal: Ensure the driveway is clear of all vehicles. If feasible, clear the street directly in front of the property as well, to provide an unobstructed view.

Driveway Condition: Refrain from wetting the driveway. If a wet appearance is desired, the photographer will add this effect during post-processing. Wetting the driveway can lead to uneven drying and puddles.

Waste Container Concealment: Relocate trash cans to an inconspicuous location, such as the side of the house or inside the garage.

Hose Management: Store hoses the day before the shoot to prevent water from dripping onto pavement and creating puddles in the photos.

Lawn Maintenance: Mow and trim the lawn at least 24 hours prior to the scheduled photography session.

Sprinkler System: Disable sprinklers on the day of the shoot to avoid puddles on paved surfaces.

Pet Waste Removal: Ensure the yard is free of all pet droppings.

Pool and Spa Preparation: Clean the pool and/or spa and remove any covers. Provide the realtor with instructions on how to activate the spa.

Water Feature Preparation: Clean any fountains, waterfalls, or other water features and provide the realtor with instructions for turning them on.

For-Sale Sign: Remove the for-sale sign before the photography session or install it afterward. Visible signs can violate MLS rules and may be difficult to remove in editing.

Patio Furniture: Clean all outdoor furniture by dusting and removing cobwebs. Avoid hosing down furniture on the day of the shoot to prevent puddles.

Interior Preparation

Kitchen Decluttering: Minimize items on kitchen counters. Put away dishes, sponges, rags, and other everyday items. Clear the refrigerator of magnets, pictures, and other personal items. Remove any small rugs from the kitchen floor.

Bathroom Decluttering: Conceal personal toiletries such as toothpaste, toothbrushes, and razors. Decorative soaps, candles, and flowers are acceptable. Remove all small rugs from bathroom floors.

Bedroom Preparation: Make all beds and tidy up all items in the bedrooms.

Wastebasket Concealment: Hide all trash cans in closets or the garage to avoid distractions in the photos.

Fan Management: Hide portable fans, as ceiling fans are considered a selling point, while portable fans may create a negative impression.

Cord and Remote Management: Conceal electrical cords where possible. Hide TV remotes, game consoles, and other visible cords to enhance the visual appeal of the photos.

Entryway Clearing: Remove shoes, umbrellas, and similar items from entryways.

Blind Positioning: Open blinds to showcase outdoor views or allow natural light if the view is undesirable.

Interior Lighting: Turn on all interior lights before the photographer arrives. Replace any burned-out light bulbs at least 24 hours before the shoot.

Ceiling Fan Status: Ensure all ceiling fans are turned off prior to the photographer's arrival.

Twilight Preparation (If Applicable)

Lighting Activation: Turn on all interior and exterior lights throughout the property. Replace any burned-out bulbs at least 24 hours in advance.

Spa Preparation: Remove the spa cover and turn on the spa, including its lights, before the photographer arrives.

Pool Lighting: Turn on the pool lights before the photographer's arrival.

Water Feature Activation: Turn on any fountains, waterfalls, or similar water features before the photographer arrives.