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Photo Prep Checklist

My goal is to photograph your home with the highest quality that will wow buyers and attract offers.

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: 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.

❑

Turn on all interior lights and lamps, replace burned out bulbs. If your lights can dim, I prefer

them to be mid strength. Pro tip: Lights being the same color temperature look consistent and

upscale. New homes have consistent light temperatures. (If you want to be very specific, I

prefer 4000 K color temp for photos, sometimes called cool white or natural white. It is a good

balance between daylight and warm indoor lighting)

❑

Open curtains and blinds. Blinds can be level or up, consistency is best.

❑

Clear surfaces: Remove all excess from countertops, desktops, vanities, windowsills,

dressers, nightstands, coffee tables, fridges and beds. This is the number one thing you can

do to ensure your home photographs well.

❑

Secure or remove pets: I love pets but we can’t have them around for your photoshoot. Dogs

must be secured or off the property to ensure the safety of myself and my equipment. MLS rules

prohibit people and pets from being in pictures. Cats should be secured when possible as well,

although they usually pose fewer problems than dogs (cats often just hide).

Hide pet food bowls, toys and bedding as well.

❑

Plan to not 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.

❑

Use the garage for storage: I normally don’t photograph inside of garages, (unless it is a

space you want to highlight) 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 from the

street in front of the home. We want as clear a view as possible of your property.

❑

Remove toys, tools and clutter from the yard.

❑

Hide trashcans: Trashcans can be placed on the side of the property or in the garage.

Photo Prep Checklist.pdf

❑

Hide or roll 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: Do this at least 24 hours prior to your photoshoot. In winter shovel

well. Clear the entire driveway, walkway, sidewalk and patio if applicable.

❑

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. Tripod legs and dog droppings are a bad combo.

❑

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 for-sale sign: The for-sale sign should be removed from the property 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. Do not hose down

your furniture the day of your shoot, this can create puddles.

Inside Prep

❑

Declutter kitchen: A few items on the counters are usually fine, but dishes, sponges,

condiments, food, keys, electronics, unnecessary appliances etc. should be put away. It's best

to remove all magnets, pictures, etc. from the refrigerator and remove throw rugs (unless

specifically decorative) from the floor.

❑

Declutter bathrooms: Toothpaste, toothbrushes, razors, and other "personal" items should be

hidden. It’s also good to remove all throw rugs from the floor. (MLS photos are horizontal and

the sliver of floor shown in the bathroom looks much better as tile/flooring than rug)

❑

Clean mirrors, windows and

faucets

.

❑

Sweep and vacuum floors (Do not worry too much about vacuum lines, they can often be

visually distracting. We just want clean floors)

❑

Shower curtains open with all soaps, washrags, toys and sponges removed, only if you’d like

to show off the tub surround. Shower curtain closed if the tub surround is not worth

highlighting. Bold shower curtains with words, cartoons, and bright colors are often the only

thing a potential buyer can focus on in an image. Having a neutral shower curtain on hand is a

great option for clients/agents.

❑

Prep bedrooms: All bedrooms should have their beds made and items put away. Clear beds of

stuffed animals, clothing and distractions.

❑

Hide trashcans: Trashcans can distract 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.

Photo Prep Checklist.pdf