REAL ESTATE PHOTOGRAPHY PRE-SHOOT CHECKLIST
The goal of real estate photography is to make the home warm and inviting to potential buyers while accurately representing the space. Below is a list of things to do to get your home in the best possible condition for photographs.
General Living Areas and Recreational Rooms
- Remove clutter from bookshelves, entertainment centers, coffee tables, fireplace mantles, etc.
- Arrange DVDs, games, books neatly in shelves
- Turn off TV and put remotes away
- Remove mail, newspaper and magazines
- Remove all personal items such as photos (non-personal pictures are acceptable, walls look better when they are not bare)
- Hide or remove all power leads and extra cables
- Remove all toys, fans, etc.
- Remove exercise equipment
- Remove all signs of pets including bowls, beds, chew toys, crates, litter boxes, etc. (aquariums are usually acceptable if clean)
- Move garbage and recycle cans out of sight
- Replace all light bulbs with matching bulbs (warm preferred) – make sure none are burnt out
- Turn off and clean ceiling fan
- Clean all windows inside and out
- Vacuum carpets and clean hardwood floors
Kitchen and Dining Areas
- Clean and put away all dishes (dining table may be set - optional)
- Remove all small appliances
- Clean all backsplashes, range hoods and large appliances especially if stainless steel
- Remove all detergents, dish clothes, dish rack, tea towels, drain plugs
- Ensure range hood lights are working
- Remove all objects from fridge e.g. magnets, photos
- Move garbage and recycle cans out of sight
Bedrooms
- Make all beds
- De-clutter toys, books, games, tissue boxes
- Remove all personal items
- Make sure bedside lamps are working
- Remove posters / stickers from walls
- Remove all clothes
Bathrooms / Powder Rooms
- Remove all soaps, shampoos, face washes, toys, scales, bins, etc.
- Remove all toothbrushes, toothpaste, razors, medications, etc.
- Make sure glass and mirrors are spotless
- Make sure towels are nice and matching
- Remove toilet cleaning utensils and plungers
- Ensure toilet paper roll is full
- Close all toilet lids
Outside Areas
- Mow the lawn and trim hedges and shrubs
- Rake up leaves and sticks
- Tidy garden and pull weeds
- Remove all gardening equipment
- Sweep driveway and paved areas
- Remove all cars, boats, campers, trailers, bikes
- Remove all toys
- Remove trash cans, yard waste, recycle bins
- Open patio umbrellas and put cushions on patio furniture
Pool Areas
- Ensure pool is clean
- Remove all pool cleaning equipment
- Remove all pool toys
60 minutes before the photo shoot
- Set the dining table (optional)
- Place wine glasses and wine on table (optional)
- Open ALL blinds and window coverings to make room appear brighter and larger
- Turn on ALL lights
- Turn OFF ceiling fans
- Turn OFF TV
- Put children and pets away
- Ensure vehicles can’t be seen (front of house should be clear of cars)
The photo shoot will take 1-3 hours depending on the size of the property. I will be photographing both the interior and exterior of the home. I usually do not shoot inside the garage unless it has unique features. If the property has special features that are not obvious please let me know so I include them in the shoot. Let me know if your home contains valuable works of art; I can edit photos to make them unrecognizable or make sure they are not in the photographs.