How to Prepare for Real Estate Photography
PROFESSIONAL PHOTOS MAKE THE PERFECT FIRST IMPRESSION FOR POTENTIAL BUYERS. WE CAN HELP YOU WITH THAT.
Don’t be worried if the skies are overcast on your photo day. We replace all skies with beautiful blue skies, free of charge.
For vacant listings, stage the property if it is within your budget. If not, we offer virtual staging.
For occupied listings, it is speedier to shoot if the tenants go out for a cup of coffee while we capture the home.
Thoroughly clean the entire house. If it is within your budget, hire a cleaning service.
If there are any areas in the listing that you’d like us to focus on, please make us aware the day before the appointment.
If no one will meet us at the property, please provide us with the gate and/or entry codes, and other entry/exit instructions the day before our shoot.
We understand life happens; if needed please reschedule at least 24 hours before your photoshoot to avoid cancellation or rescheduling fees.
Have the listing shoot ready before the photographer arrives.
What to Expect from our Photographers
Friendly and professional service
10 Minute early arrival for camera and equipment set-up
Shooting time is approximately 20 Minutes (per service) for every 1000 Sq Ft.
E.g Photography and 3D tour for a 1000 sq ft home is 40 minutes shooting time.
What not to expect from our photographers
Move or re-arrange furniture.
Make beds, clean, dust or de-clutter or open blinds/curtains.
Pick up toys, yard items, or pool vac/hoses.
“Photoshop” items out of photos. Photoshop is an additional service; additional fees may apply.
Touch personal bathroom supplies (shampoo, toothbrushes, deodorant, towels)
Wait while you tidy up.
Come back later to re-shoot areas that were not photo-ready.
General
Thoroughly clean the whole house
Remove holiday decorations
Turn all overhead lights and lamps ON
Replace all burned-out light bulbs
Use bulbs of the same temperature (ALL incandescent or ALL compact fluorescent)
Turn all ceiling fans OFF
Turn all TVs OFF
Turn all computer screens OFF
Open blinds/window treatments to let in outside light
Remove personal photographs (or replace them with general landscape photographs)
Remove small floor rugs to reveal flooring
Place all shoes/jackets in closets
Bedrooms
Make beds, including decorative pillows/shams if available
Press bed linens and bed skirts
Clear nightstands of all personal items. Store away phone/tablet charging cables.
Remove all clutter from the top of dressers
Clean under the bed, removing items that may show in the photos
Remove personalized names from walls
Remove wall stickers/posters
KITCHEN and Dining
Clear countertops completely (leave out a max of one small appliance)
Clear the refrigerator of magnets, papers, photos, etc.
Hide garbage cans in the pantry or closet
Remove dishes from the sink, place them in the dishwasher
EXTERIOR
Clean up landscaping
Remove visible water hoses
Remove toys, sports balls, etc.
Remove garbage cans
Close garage doors
Remove cars from the driveway and from the front of the home
Bathrooms
Remove and hide clean/dirty towels
Close toilet bowls
Wipe mirrors clean
Hide hygiene and grooming products
Hide soap dispensers, tissue boxes, etc
Hide wash clothes, loofas, bath products, scales, etc
Pets
Place food and water bowls in the pantry or closet
Place pet beds/toys in pantry or closet
Use a lint roller on furniture to remove pet hair
Contain pets in a hidden crate or outside
Clear back yard of pet waste/toys