Your property’s first showing happens online. High-quality, professional photographs attract serious buyers, while clutter and disorganization can cause them to move on to the next listing. To ensure the best possible results and keep your shoot on schedule, the home must be clean, decluttered, and fully prepared prior to my arrival. Because my process involves moving efficiently from room to room, please ensure that all residents and pets remain in a separate area of the home during the session.
Interior Preparation
General Living Areas
- Light the Space: Turn on all interior lights and lamps. Please replace any burnt-out bulbs before the shoot.
- Clear the View: Turn off all ceiling fans, televisions, and computer screens.
- Floors & Windows: Sweep, vacuum, and mop all floors. Clean windows and glass surfaces to reduce glare.
- Arrange Furniture: Neatly arrange couch pillows, throw blankets, and accent cushions.
- Hide Wires: Tuck away loose charging cables, extension cords, and exposed power strips.
Kitchen & Dining
- Clear the Counters: Remove small appliances (toasters, blenders), spice racks, paper towel holders, and dish racks.
- De-Clutter the Fridge: Remove all magnets, calendars, notes, and family photos from the front and sides of the refrigerator.
- Hide the Trash: Move kitchen trash cans out of sight (place them in a pantry or closet).
- Dining Setup: Clean and polish the dining table. A simple, elegant centerpiece or minimal place settings work beautifully—avoid over-staging.
Bathrooms
- Clear the Countertops: Hide all personal items, including toothbrushes, toothpaste, soap dispensers, and medications.
- Prep the Shower/Tub: Remove all shampoo bottles, body washes, loofahs, and toys from showers and tubs.
- Toilet Seats: Ensure all toilet lids are completely down.
- Linens: Hang fresh, clean towels neatly on racks. Remove used towels and bathmats from the floor.
Bedrooms
- Make the Beds: Ensure beds are neatly made with pressed linens and pillows arranged squarely.
- Clear Surfaces: Remove personal items from nightstands and dressers (tissues, jewelry, books).
- Under the Bed: Ensure no items stored under beds are visible in wide-angle room shots.
Exterior & Yard Prep
Curb Appeal
- Clear the Driveway: Move all vehicles, trailers, and bicycles out of the driveway and away from the front of the house.
- Hide the Bins: Move outdoor garbage, recycling, and compost bins into the garage or a hidden side-yard.
- Lawn & Landscaping: Mow the lawn, trim bushes, and clear away stray branches or leaves.
- Grounded Tools: Coil and hide garden hoses, sprinklers, and lawn tools.
Backyard & Patios
- Outdoor Furniture: Clean patio furniture, uncover grills, and open patio umbrellas.
- Pools & Spas: Remove pool covers, vacuum the pool floor, and hide pool cleaning equipment/toys.
Pets & Valuables
- Pet Accessories: Hide all food/water bowls, pet beds, crates, and toys from floors and yards.
- Pet Arrangements: Secure pets in a safe room, crate, or make off-site arrangements so they do not disrupt or follow the photographer.
- Valuables: Secure any highly personal items, family heirloom portraits, firearms, or sensitive financial items.
Photographing a High-End Listing?
Luxury properties require extra attention to detail, especially in the heart of the home. Review my specialized, deep-dive guide for preparing and staging premium culinary spaces to maximize your listing's visual impact.
Luxury Kitchen Prep GuideQuestions? I'm here to help.
If you have any questions about preparing your property or would like to book a session, please contact me at [Phone].
Hours: Monday – Sunday, 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. EST.