Pre-Photoshoot Checklist
This page is meant to compliment the “Preparing Your Home for Photographs” page. If you have a few weeks until your photoshoot, that is a great place to start. The steps below are for the 24 hours prior to your photoshoot.
The goal of a Real Estate Photoshoot is to showcase your property with the highest quality that will WOW buyers and attract offers! To ensure your photoshoot goes smoothly and safely, please review the checklist below. If you have any questions, ask your realtor to get in touch, or reach out directly with any questions!
Thank you for taking the time and patience to go through this checklist! It will help your home look more desirable to potential buyers, attract better offers, and make your photographers job much easier! Thank you!
General Prep
- Be Photoshoot Ready: Cleaning and staging need to be done before your photographer arrives. Preferably the day before the photoshoot. I may help move some stuff which will improve photo composition, but general cleaning should be done prior.
- Secure or remove pets: Up North Aperture is pet friendly but they should not be around during the photoshoot. Dogs and cats must be secure or off the property to ensure our safety and the safety of the equipment. MLS rules also prohibit people and pets from being in pictures. Please hide all pet food, dishes and toys as well.
- Plan to not 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 photos; people can cause shadows and reflections.
- Use the garage as storage: In general, garages are not photographed unless it is a point of interest or a selling feature. Please use the garage to store items you’d like to hide.
Outside Prep
- Clear the cars: Please make sure there are no cars in the driveway or in front of the house, if possible. The goal is a clear view of the property, so all vehicles, boats, trailers, and recreational vehicles should be out of site.
- Hide trash cans: Trash cans can be placed in the garage or on the side of the property.
- Hide hoses: Do this the day before the photoshoot. Hoses can drip water onto the pavement, leaving puddles in your picture.
- Mow and trim the yard: Plan on mowing and trimming yard 24 hours before your photoshoot.
- BONUS Tip: If there are grass clippings on sidewalk or driveway, blow or sweep back into grass.
- Turn off the sprinklers: Do not water the day of the photoshoot to prevent puddles on pavement.
- Pick up poop: If you have a dog, please make sure all of their droppings are cleared from the yard.
- Prep pool and spa: If you have a pool and/or spa, please have them clean with the covers removed. For spas, provide instructions to the realtor on how to turn them on.
- Remove the “For-Sale” sign: The For-Sale sign should be removed form the property or installed after the shoot, since visible signs violate MLS policies and can’t always be edited out.
- If the sign is already in the ground and you need help removing it, please let your photographer know or have your realtor communicate that with us. Happy to help!
- Clean patio furniture: Dust and remove cobwebs from all outdoor furniture. Do not hose down the furniture the day of your photoshoot, as this can create puddles.
Inside Prep
- Remove personal photos and items: Remove all family photos and pictures of family and friends from the house.
- Declutter kitchen: A few items on the counters are fine, but dishes, sponges, rags, etc. should be be put away. It’s best to remove all magnets, pictures, etc. from the refrigerator and remove throw rugs from the floor.
- Declutter bathrooms: Toothpaste, toothbrushes, razors, and other “personal” items should be hidden. Decorative soaps, candles, flowers, etc. are preferred. It’s also good to remove all throw rugs from the floor.
- Prep bedrooms: All bedrooms should have beds made, clothes hidden in closet or dressers, and dirty clothes baskets hidden away.
- Hide trash cans: Trash cans can distract, so it’s bet to hide all of them in closets or the garage.
- Hide portable fans: Ceiling fans are selling points but portable fans can give the wrong impression. It’s best to hide all portable fans in closet or the garage.
- Hide cords and remotes: Sometimes 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 into a neighbor or other unappealing view.
- Turn on all lights: Before your photographer arrives, please make sure all interior lights are turned on. If need-be, please replace all burned-out bulbs at least 24 hours before photoshoot.
- Turn off ceiling fans: The spinning blades don’t capture well in photos. Please make sure all fans are turned off prior to the photoshoot.