Photography Getting Ready Guide Checklist
Our goal is to photograph your home with the highest quality images that will wow buyers and atract
offers. To ensure your photo shoot goes smoothly and safely, we have put together this checklist of things you should do prior to your scheduled shoot.
Please don’t take this personally, but when you list your home for sale you want potential buyers to see themselves in the home not you.
General Prep
❑ Be shoot-ready: Cleaning and staging needs to be done before we arrive, preferably the day before
your photo shoot. We may move small items (flowers, small pictures, etc.) to improve photo
composition, but larger items need to be in place before we arrive, and staging accessories need to be in
place as well.
❑ Secure or remove pets: We love pets but we can’t have them around for your photo shoot. Dogs must
be secured or off the property to ensure the safety of us and our equipment. MLS rules prohibit people
and pets from being in pictures. Cats should be secured as well, although they usually pose fewer
problems than dogs (cats often just hide or pose). It’s also a good idea to hide pet food and water bowls
as well.
❑ Plan not to be seen: All occupants should plan on either being off the property or remain in areas
where they can’t be seen during the photo shoot. Rooms overlap in the photos, people can cause
shadows and reflections, and there is a risk to our equipment that may be setup throughout the
property.
❑ Use the garage for storage: We normally don’t shoot garages, so this is a great place to store items
you’d like to hide.
❑ If you need the garage photographed (who doesn’t want to show off their 4-post lift), please de-clutter
and prep for photos.
Outside Prep
❑ Clear the cars: Make sure no cars are in the driveway. (Not even the Lamborghini, unless it goes with
the house…) If possible, also move cars from the street in front of the home. We want as clear a view as
possible of your property.
❑ Hide trashcans: Trashcans can be placed on the side of the property or in the garage.
❑ Hide 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 at least 24 hours prior to your photo shoot.
❑ 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 their droppings are cleared from the yard.
❑ 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.
❑ 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 cleanly.
❑ Prep water features: If you have fountains, waterfalls, etc., please clean them and provide instructions
to the realtor on how to turn them on.
❑ Clean patio furniture: Dust and remove cobwebs from all outdoor furniture. Do not hose down your
furniture the day of your shoot, since this can create puddles.
Inside Prep
❑ De-cutter kitchen: A few items on the counters are usually fine, but dishes, sponges, rags, etc. should
be put away. It’s best to remove all magnets, pictures, etc. from the refrigerator and remove throw rugs
from the floor.
❑ De-clutter bathrooms: Toothpaste, toothbrushes, razors, and other “personal” items should be hidden.
Decorative unused soaps, candles, flowers, etc. are preferred. It’s also good to remove all throw rugs
from the floor.
❑ Prep bedrooms: All bedrooms should have their beds made and items put away.
❑ 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.
❑ Hide cords and remotes: Some)mes electrical cords can’t be hidden, but you will have more
appealing pictures if you can hide TV remotes, game consoles, and any noticeable cords.
❑ Clear entryways: Remove all shoes, umbrellas, and similar items from entryways.
❑ Open blinds with views: Your indoor photos will show outdoor views if there are views, or just light if
a window looks onto a neighbor or other unappealing view.
❑ Turn on lights: Before we arrive, please make sure all interior lights are turned on. If need-be, please
replace all burned-out bulbs at least 24 hours before the photo shoot.
❑ Turn off ceiling fans: Before we arrive, please make sure all ceiling fans are turned off.
Twilight Prep (optional)(Not necessary for virtual twilight pictures)
If you’ve scheduled a twilight shoot the following are additional items to prepare before we arrive. Note
that twilights have tight schedules to ensure optimal lighting, so please make sure all of these items are
ready before we arrive.
❑ Turn on all interior and exterior lights: All lights throughout the property need to be turned on. Please
replace all burned-out bulbs at least 24 hours before the photo shoot.
❑ Turn on spas and remove covers: If you have a spa, remove the cover, and turn it before we arrive.
Turn on the lights in the spa as well.
❑ Turn on pool lights: If you have a pool, turn on the pool lights before we arrive.
❑ Turn on water features: If you have fountains, waterfalls, or similar water features, please turn them
on before we arrive.