Getting your home ready for professional photography is important. Remember that your real estate images and interactive virtual tour will be on the web and available for viewers 24/7, so a little time spent preparing now will pay off greatly in the end.

Our average on-site time for a photography session is approximately thirty to ninety minutes depending on the package that was ordered. We will be photographing both the inside and outside of your home.

The photographer will likely have several sessions booked for that day so time at each location is limited. It is important that your home be in the condition that you want it photographed, before the photographer arrives.

Real Estate Photography Session Preparation

Make sure that your house is 100% show ready prior to the photographer's arrival.

Most Importantly - Declutter

To make the most of your real estate photos, address any clutter beforehand. Try to view each room through a camera lens. You want buyers to focus on your home, not the items in it. Spend a few moments decluttering each room and ensuring everything is in order.

The photographer Will NOT:

  • Move furniture or pick up clutter/ garbage

  • Clean or dust

  • Wait for a house to be cleaned

We typically spend 30-90 minutes in your home for your photography session. If there are specific features of your home you would like highlighted, please inform your agent in advance so we can ensure these areas are captured.

Tips To Ensure Your House Is Looking It's Best

Lighting

  • Double check all light bulbs are working. Replace burnt out bulbs

  • Ensure bulbs in light fixtures are all the same color

  • Turn on all lights beforehand as you can

  • Fans need to be turned off- If there's a secret to having lights on and fans off, please set that up beforehand

Bright living room with modern inventory
Bright living room with modern inventory

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Kitchen/Dining Areas

  • Clean off counters; remove any clutter

  • Make sure dirty/clean dishes are out of the sink & put away

  • Empty the garbage can, or if possible hide from view

  • Remove items posted on fridge

  • Remove dish towels from oven, cabinets and sink

  • Remove items from the hutch, highchairs, and booster seats

  • Hide trash cans

  • Pull window coverings 3/4 closed

Bathrooms

  • Put essential items used daily in a small box that can be stored away

  • Close toilet lid and hide the trash cans

  • Clean mirrors & glass surfaces

  • Hang your best towels neatly from a towel bar

  • If inside of shower or bathtub is visible, remove viewable products

  • Clear off counters and shelves

  • Pull window coverings 3/4 closed

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Living/Common Areas

  • Remove clutter and tidy up shelves, counters and table tops

  • Remove any mail, magazines, papers, etc.

  • Straighten couch pillows

  • Turn off televisions and hide remote

  • Turn on fireplace

  • Remove extra furniture, if possible

  • Remove personal / family pictures from the walls

  • Remove all personal items from drop zones

  • Pull window covering 3/4 closed

Bedrooms

  • Make bed, tuck in all sheets and blankets

  • Clean nightstands of all personal items

  • Remove all charging devices, cables and ports

  • Remove clutter from dresser top and counters

  • Make sure items under bed are not visible

  • Walk-in closets will be photographed, unless you direct the agent to not have this done

  • If possible, remove / pack extra clothes from closets. This makes the closet look bigger

  • remove clothes, robes, etc. from backs of doors

  • Hide trash cans

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Pets and Pet Supplies

  • Remove pet beds, blankets and toys

  • Remove pet hair from all furniture, carpet, blankets, and pillows

  • Hide food/water bowls, litter boxes, scratch poles, towers, and crates

  • Remove pets from the house during the photography session

  • If pets must remain, if possible, put pets, cages and crates in a room. This room will not be photographed. Let the agent/photographer know which room

  • Do not leave pets loose in the house or property

Bright living room with modern inventory
Bright living room with modern inventory

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Exterior

  • Spruce up entryways, gardens and lawns; trim shrubbery if necessary

  • Yard and patio should be neat; outdoor furniture should be in good shape

  • Mow the lawn; make sure the driveway & entryway are free of clutter

  • In the winter, keep the sidewalks, driveway and porch cleared of snow and ice

  • Remove vehicles from driveway and don't park directly in front of the house

  • Remove toys, holiday decorations, pet items, miscellaneous yard items and debris

  • Hide trash cans

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