My Blog
Pre-Shoot Checklist
In Real Estate a Picture can be worth thousands of dollars.
Over 80% of buyers find online photos to be critical when searching for a new home. A clean home will produce the best photos, which will produce more potential buyers and more money for you! Potential buyers would rather imagine their own items on the shelves. We normally photograph every space of the home, unless there is something you don’t want photographed.
My goal is to photograph your home with the highest quality that will wow buyers and attract offers. To ensure your photoshoot goes smoothly and safely, I’ve put together this preparation checklist of things you should do prior to your scheduled shoot.
General Tips
Be shoot ready: Cleaning and staging needs to be done before I arrive, preferably the day before your photoshoot. I may move small items (flowers, small pictures, etc.) to improve photo composition, but large items and staging accessories need to be in place before I arrive.
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 photoshoot. Rooms overlap in the photos, people can cause shadows and reflections, and there is risk to equipment that will be setup throughout the property. If waiting outside, please be mindful not to stand in front of windows.
Use the garage for storage: I normally don’t shoot garage, so this is a great place to store items you’d like to hide.
- Clean all the windows...
- Make sure all lights work, replace any light that don't work...
- Make sure window Shutters/ Blinds are open, If needed straighten the Blinds...
- Make sure all artwork is hanging level...
- Clean all cobwebs from walls/ceiling corners
Exterior Tips (Front and Back)
- Turn on all Lights (desk lights, accent lights, etc…)
- Remove any vehicles/trailers from driveway. If possible, also move cars from the street in front of the home. We want as clear a view as possible of your property. Also, for views out of windows (living room etc.)
- Remove any trash cans from view of street. Place on side of house or in garage.
- If you have a pool remove pool sweeper before appointments...
- Remove any debris from pool, walkways, and patio...
- Remove any kid / pet toys, shoes, sporting equipment out of view...
- Have all hoses neatly coiled. Do this the day prior to shoot as hoses can drip water and leave puddles in your pictures.
- If pool your has waterfalls have them on before appointments...
- Remove any pots with dead or missing plants
- Prep the yard: 24 hours prior to shoot, mow, and clear yard tools.
- Turn off sprinklers. Do not water the day of shoot. This can leave puddles or spots on the pavement.
- Pick up pet poop.
- Prep water features: ensure they are in working order.
- Remove signs: for sale, alarm company Realtor sings can not be in MLS photos.
- Clean patio furniture and ensure tags on padding are not visible.
- Put colorful flowers near the front door, patios, and walkways
- Neatly arrange patio furniture and BBQ equipment
- Trim and remove dead or discolored branches and leaves
Interior General
Less is more: potential buyers want to envision themselves in the property. By depersonalizing and decluttering, buyers can better see their items in the spaces.
· Turn on all lights
· Replace any burnt out or missing bulbs
· Turn off all ceiling fans
· Straighten all blinds to let light in
· Turn off all TV’s
· Put away all remote controls
· Put away all kid / pet related toys, bedding, food bowls
· Remove all trash bins
· Remove any clutter or paperwork from tables and desks
· Remove paper towel rolls, tissue boxes, and soap dispensers
· Remove shoes from floor and put neatly away
Entry Way Tips: Remove all shoes, umbrellas, keys, shoes, and similar items.
Kitchen And Dining Rooms Tips
Declutter Kitchen: A few items on the counters are usually fine, but dishes, sponges, rags, etc. should be put away. Its’ best to remove all magnets, pictures, etc. from refrigerator and remove throw rugs from floor.
- Remove any storage items from above the refrigerator...
- Hide any unnecessary appliances and dish racks from kitchen countertops...
- Remove any dish rags, sponges, etc. from kitchen...
- Put away any pots and pans that are on the stove make sure to clean stovetop...
- Remove all cups, dishes, and utensils from sink
- Remove any items from sink like soap, sink stopers etc...
- Make sure to remove any phone chargers, mail, calendars, and trash cans...
- If you have pets remove any pet food/water bowl out of view...
- Evenly space all appliances such as coffee pots, knife blocks, blenders, and toasters on counter tops
- Remove any large items from kitchen island
- Make sure towels are clean and folded neatly.
- Remove booster seats from chairs.
Bathrooms Tips
- Make sure to have all clean towels in all bathrooms, and remove any used towels from bathrooms, ensure all towels are folded and hanging neatly
- Make sure to clean the mirrors in all bathrooms...
- Remove any toothbrushes and counter items from counter...
- Store any shower supplies that are in the bathtub/shower...
- Remove any garbage cans out view...
- Add flowers if possible, to counter tops...
- Remove all toilet cleaning products
Living and Family Rooms Tips
- Hide all Tv and Game controllers from rooms...
- Turn off all Tv's...
- If you have a fireplace, add fresh logs to the fireplace...
- Hide any unnecessary items like exercise equipment, extra furniture, and kids’ toys...
- Fold and organize all blankets, remove any if necessary...
- Hide A/V cables if possible
- Organize pillows and blankets from couch and chairs
- Remove any unnecessary furniture or exercise equipment. Extra furniture will make rooms appear smaller in photos.
Office - Den Tips
- Clean and remove as much as possible off desktop areas...
- Remove/hide any garbage cans...
- Organize any paperwork, bookshelves, etc... that can’t be removed
- If any lose wires left out, make sure to hide them...
- Straighten / organize items on bookshelves
- Move trash cans and shredders out of view
Bedroom Tips
- Make sure to have all beds neatly made, be sure to have all loose sheets tucked in.
- Try to remove items from bedside table and dresser top...
- Remove items from under bed and hide them from view
- Consider removing children’s manes from the walls if possible
- Make sure any framed images are level on wall...
- Remove any laundry baskets out of view...
- Hide any space heaters, fans, and exercise equipment...
- Remove excessive stuffed animals and arrange or hide kid’s toys
- Move laundry baskets out of view
- Remove any temporary fans or space heaters
Twilight Prep
If you have scheduled a twilight shoot the following are additional items to prepare before I arrive. Note that twilights have tight schedules with only about 20 minutes of optimal light, so please make sure all these items are ready before I arrive.
· Turn on all interior and exterior lights: All lights throughout the property, including garage lights. Please replace all burned out or missing bulbs at least 24 hours before I arrive.
· Turn on spa and remove covers: If you have a spa, remove the cover, and turn it on before I arrive. Turn on the lights as well.
· Turn on Pool lights: If you have a pool, turn on the pool lights before I arrive.
· Turn on water features: If you have a fountain, waterfall, or similar feature, please turn them on before I arrive.
· Landscape and accent lighting: Ensure all lights are operating correctly, burnt our bulbs and broken lights are replaced. Solar lights can be tricked to come on earlier by putting a small piece of tape over the sensor.
Number of Images per space
Each Space will be shot several times from multiple angles. Below is an idea of the number shots to expect per space. These numbers can vary slightly due to furniture, layout, and square footage.
· Kitchens – 4 to 8
· Living / Family rooms – 4
· Breakfast area – 1 to 2
· Bathrooms – 1
· Bedrooms – 2
· Primary Bedroom – 4 to 5
· Primary Bathroom – 2 to 3
· Backyard – 5 to 8
· Front yard – 4
· Foyer – 1
· Landings 1 to 2