Getting Your Home Ready For Real Estate Photography

Hello! This is Devon & Jas here, we will be the photographers, photographing your home/property.

** PLEASE. IF YOU ARE SICK WITH A COLD, FLU, COUGH, COVID, OMNICRON, DELTA VARIANT, OR ANYTHING CONTAGIOUS PLEASE RESCHEDULE. WE WOULD GREATLY APPRECIATE IT 🙏 **

We have created a comprehensive guide, along with a simple checklist to help you get your home/property looking perfect for Real Estate Photography!

While we shoot, we will need everyone (including pets) out of any rooms, backyard, front yard, etc. Consider waiting in the car, garage, or even going out for a quick bite to eat! :)

The emptier and cleaner/decluttered a home is, the faster we will be out of the property!

Downloadable Home Readiness Guide Checklist:

Home Readiness Guide

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1. Clear the driveway

Park all cars away from the front of the home. Across the street, or in the garage, are great options. Keep in mind to only park cars inside of the garage if you don't plan on having it shot. We only shoot garages if there are unique features (i.e.: built in shelving, epoxy floors, etc.).

Modern home in Los Angeles Ca, with a wooden fence surrounding the home.

2. Hide all trash bins

Trash bins are big, bulky, and distracting. Please hide them on the side of the home, or better yet in the garage for the shoot.

Also, if you are able to schedule the shoot on a day that isn't trash day, that would be ideal.

This also goes for trash cans inside your property. Please hide them prior to our arrival.

3. Declutter everything

Decluttering every square inch of the home is ideal. That means removing all random or distracting items from the front of the home, backyard, kitchen, restrooms, showers, laundry rooms, sinks, tubs, hallways, living room, dining areas, and anywhere else that will be visible.

A common thing is to one, shove everything in the garage if it isn't going to be photographed, and/or put things in storage.

By removing all of the distracting elements, potential buyers have a better idea on the space they have to work with. Also, keep in mind, if you can see the clutter, the camera can too.

4. Minimize furniture. Less is more

Remove furniture that is too big or makes a space look a bit tight/small. Having less furniture in a home makes the home appear bigger both in person, and in camera.

A minimalistic office space, with a desk in the center of the room.

5. Make the beds

Queen sized bed in the middle of the room, with striped sheets

6. Remove personal items

Take down picture frames (unless you don't mind them being up. Just keep in mind that we will likely not be able to avoid them in photos), and all other signs of someone living there. Such as shampoo, soap, towels, toothbrushes, loofahs, laundry baskets, etc.

Having a sort of a blank, and clean canvas for potential buyers, allows them to visualize their ideas for that home.

7. Remove all signs of animals living in the home

Don't get me wrong, we absolutely love animals! But keep in mind that when people see the photos online, they may get all sorts of ideas on the cleanliness of the home, because of the pets. So, just to be safe, put away all pet toys, food and water dishes, cat towers, and of course your pets. :)

Keep the pets with you in a room with the door shut, while we shoot the rest of the home. If you have dogs, consider taking them for a walk or to a dog park! :) Cats usually find a good hiding spot.

8. Clean the floors

Vacuum, mop, and sweep the floors prior to our arrival.

9. Wash & put away the dishes

Washing your dishes and putting them away can be a hassle, I know... I can fill a sink by making one meal sometimes! But, keeping the sink, and counters clear of dirty dishes, will elevate the look of the kitchen.

Also, please refrain from shoving items in ovens or microwaves. Put dishes away, all nice and orderly in the kitchen cabinets.

10. Clean all the windows

Windows are a very important element when shooting a home. In order for us to get photos of the home with windows that look crisp and clear, they need to be spotless. Consider hiring a professional window cleaner if you don't have time for it :) Just be sure to clean them at least 1-2 days prior to the shoot.

Please don't hire window cleaners, or any contractors, on the same day of our scheduled shoot.

11. Open all blinds and curtains

By opening all the blinds and curtains, not only will it make the home look more welcoming, but it also makes the home appear more spacious.

Be sure to open the blinds either all the way up if you have a gorgeous view or very clean windows, or open them slightly, facing downwards.

12. Turn off all ceiling fans

Because of the way we shoot, we need everything to be still-- so ceiling fans, and any other moving objects should be turned off by the time we get there.

13. Dust everything

That includes ceiling fan blades

14. Turn on the AC

This is not necessary, but no matter how cold a day may be here in California, when we shoot a home, we get hot! So, if you are able to get the AC running before we get there, we will greatly appreciate it :)

15. Make the home smell nice

Turn on candles, throw away trash, and if there are flowers blooming in the front or backyard, add a personal touch to the home by bringing in those fresh flowers.

Also, if you are an avid smoker, we would greatly appreciate you not smoking inside your home before we get there, and while we're there. Not only does this make it a bit unpleasant, but one of us has some pretty intense allergies to cigarette & marijuana smoke/smells. I know that's a lot to ask, but we would greatly appreciate the gesture.

16. Turn on all lights & replace light bulbs

A day or two before the shoot, turn on all lights and replace the ones that are burnt out or that don't match, because when we shoot the home, we require that all lights are turned on.

* Quick tip: Stay away from light bulbs that have a blue hue, stick to warm light bulbs instead *

17. Open all doors

Open all the doors for the rooms we will be shooting. If the doors don't stay open consider purchasing some door stoppers.

18. Tripping Hazards

Please let us know of any tripping hazards, or hazards in general-- in the home.

19. Turn off Sprinklers

Be sure to turn off all sprinklers and/or sprinkler timer systems.

20. Do not wet the driveway or backyard

21. Make sure the for sale sign is put up AFTER we shoot the property. This is a must, in order to be MLS compliant.

Disclaimer: We reserve the right to not shoot, and/or cancel a shoot that we deem to be unsafe, and/or not ready. If upon arrival, the shoot is cancelled due to it's unsafe/unready condition(s) a cancellation fee will be applied.

Downloadable Home Readiness Guide Checklist: