Listing Prep Guide | Photo Shoot Preparation

This checklist is not mandatory, and I understand every home and situation is different. I will always help where I can and make small adjustments during the shoot when needed.

That said, the more prepared the home is before I arrive, the better the final photos and videos will look. These steps help the property feel cleaner, brighter, more open, and more attractive to buyers.

At a minimum, I always try to make sure the basics are handled before photos are taken: lights on, ceiling fans off, curtains/blinds opened evenly, and toilet seats down.

The full checklist below is simply a recommended guide to help the home look its absolute best.

Most Important Quick Checklist

If you cannot do the full prep list, please at least handle these items before the shoot. These make the biggest difference in the final photos.

Lights on.
Fans off.
Toilet seats down.
Counters clear.
Trash cans hidden.
Pets secured.
Vehicles moved.
Beds made.
Blinds/curtains opened evenly.
Personal items and clutter removed.

Want to share this with your seller? Download the checklist as a PDF.

⇩ Download Checklist

Whole Home

Turn on all lights and lamps.
Turn off all ceiling fans.
Open blinds/curtains evenly unless there is an unattractive view.
Replace burned-out bulbs.
Use matching bulb colors when possible.
Remove clutter from floors, counters, tables, and furniture.
Hide personal items, paperwork, mail, remotes, chargers, and loose cords.
Remove trash cans or hide them in a garage/closet.
Remove pet bowls, toys, beds, crates, and litter boxes.
Secure pets away from the shooting areas.
Put away cleaning supplies, brooms, mops, vacuums, and laundry baskets.
Straighten rugs, pillows, blankets, curtains, and furniture.
Make sure all rooms that need photos are unlocked and accessible.

Kitchen

Clear countertops as much as possible.
Put away dishes, sponges, soap bottles, paper towels, and dish racks.
Remove magnets, photos, papers, and clutter from the refrigerator.
Hide trash cans.
Put away small appliances unless they are decorative.
Wipe counters, sink, stove, and stainless appliances.
Remove food, pet items, and personal items from view.
Add simple staging if desired, such as a clean bowl of fruit or small plant.

Bathrooms

Put all toilet seats down.
Clear all counters.
Remove toothbrushes, toothpaste, razors, soap bottles, shampoo, and personal care items.
Remove bath mats, scales, plungers, toilet brushes, and trash cans.
Hang clean towels neatly.
Make sure glass showers are clean and clear.
Wipe mirrors, counters, faucets, and shower glass.
Make sure toilet paper rolls look neat.

Bedrooms

Make all beds neatly.
Straighten pillows and bedding.
Clear nightstands and dressers.
Hide chargers, cords, remotes, tissues, water bottles, and personal items.
Remove laundry, shoes, hampers, and clutter from floors.
Close closet doors unless the closet is a feature being photographed.
Remove personal photos if privacy is a concern.

Living Areas

Clear coffee tables and side tables.
Straighten pillows, blankets, rugs, and furniture.
Hide remotes, cords, toys, magazines, and personal items.
Turn TVs off.
Remove excess decorations if the room feels crowded.
Open curtains/blinds evenly.

Office / Bonus Rooms

Clear desks of paperwork, mail, bills, and personal documents.
Hide cords as much as possible.
Remove clutter from shelves if needed.
Straighten chairs, rugs, and décor.
Turn computer monitors off.

Exterior

Remove all vehicles from the driveway and front of the property.
Park vehicles across the street or away from the home if possible.
Exception: if it’s a high-end vehicle like a Ferrari or Lamborghini and it intentionally adds to the lifestyle/marketing feel, ask first before leaving it in the shot.
Close garage doors.
Remove trash cans, hoses, tools, toys, and yard equipment.
Mow/edge the lawn if possible.
Sweep the porch, driveway, and walkways.
Remove dead plants or empty planters.
Put patio cushions out and straighten outdoor furniture.
Open patio umbrellas if they look good.
Clean the pool and remove pool toys/cleaning equipment.
Turn on pool/spa features if desired.
Remove signs, political items, or personal decorations if needed.

Garage

Park vehicles elsewhere.
Clear clutter as much as possible.
Organize tools, bins, boxes, and equipment.
Turn on lights.
Open space so buyers can see the size of the garage.
If the garage is packed full of items, let me know ahead of time so we can decide whether it should be photographed.

Pets

Please keep pets secured during the shoot.
Even friendly pets can slow down the process or appear in photos accidentally.
Hide pet bowls, beds, toys, crates, litter boxes, and waste bags before the appointment.

Important Note

The home should be ready before the scheduled shoot time. I may make small adjustments for the best photo, but cleaning, decluttering, moving large items, staging, and organizing should be completed before arrival.

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