Preparing Your Home for a Professional Photo Shoot

General Guidelines

The photo-shoot should take no more than 1 hour (a house bigger than 3,000 sq ft may take more time). We will be photographing both the inside and outside of your home including all major rooms. You have a direct impact on how well your home will look in the photos by following these guidelines.
You can also download the home preparing checklist here. We also have a Spanish version.

Exterior area:

• Replace any burned out light bulbs in fixtures and lamps.
• Remove all vehicles from driveways
• Move garbage cans out of sight.
• Remove all the clutter such as cans, garden tools, pool toys, etc
• Clean the driveways, sidewalks and patios
• Prepare the lawn by trimming the grass, taking out dead plants and watering the plants
• If you have a pool, remove the pool sweep, pool cleaning equipment and any pool toys.

Interior area:

• Replace all burned out light bulbs
• Turn on all interior lights and keep them on during the shooting session
• Turn ceiling fans and televisions off.
• Remove all the exposed items such as cables, newspapers, kid toys, personal photos, religion symbols, etc
• Dust and vacuum all the rooms
• Don’t leave any dirty dishes in the sink
• Move all the trash cans
• Clear off the countertops – toothbrushes, shavers, soap dishes, tissue & lotion dispensers, makeup mirrors, etc.
• Windows, glass doors and mirrors should be cleaned
• Open the blinds, shades and curtains if there have good views of the neighborhood
• Fresh flowers can be used to decorate some rooms and fresh fruits to stage the kitchen
• Please make sure pets are contained, their food cans and litter boxes away from the view while photographs are being made
• Throw rugs and runners in entryways, kitchens, and bathrooms should be removed.

Some Additional Tips for:

The Home Exterior

• Mow and rake yard.
• Sweep driveways, sidewalks and patios.
• Clean grease stains from driveway
• Clear back yard of pet waste

The Living & Family Room

• Remove piles of newspaper and magazines.
• Hide all TV/Stereo remotes.
• Conceal all exposed cables as best possible.
• Remove clutter, personal photos, etc. from bookshelves, tables and cabinets.
• Tuck trash cans out of view in a closet or cupboard

The Bedrooms

• Make all beds and tidy bedrooms.
• Clothes hung, or folded and put away.
• Remove items from bedside tables – books, magazines, pictures, clock radios, etc.
• Plug in and turn nightstand lights ON

The Kitchen

• Clear off counter tops and remove any appliances, i.e. toasters, coffee pots, knife blocks.
• Remove photos, notes and papers from the refrigerator.
• Clean the major appliances – refrigerator, oven, range hood, and wipe down all countertops.

The Dining Room

• Set the table with your best China and dinnerware. (Optional)
• Add a colorful centerpiece such as candles or flowers.
• Remove child seats/booster chairs

The Bathrooms

• Remove shampoo and other products from the shower/tub area.
• All toilet seats should be down and the lid closed.
• Mirrors should be clean.

The Final Touches

• Contain pets in the garage or out of sight.
• Place all shoes/jackets in closets