Helpful Tips to Prepare Your Home for Photography

Please ensure the property is fully prepared prior to our arrival.

We understand that preparing your home for sale can be a stressful process. To help make things easier, we’ve compiled a list of helpful tips to ensure your home looks its absolute best for the photo shoot. This is one of the final and most critical steps before your listing goes live first impressions matter, especially in today’s fast-moving real estate market.

The tips below are based on our experience capturing homes throughout the Bay Area. While not every item may apply, these suggestions are designed to help your property stand out and make the strongest visual impact online.

General Overview

Photo sessions typically take between 30 minutes and 3 hours, depending on the services scheduled.

To ensure the best possible results:

• We recommend vacating the property during the shoot.

• If you prefer to stay on-site, we kindly ask that you and any pets remain in designated areas while we work to avoid capturing people, pets, or shadows in the final images.

Exterior Preparation

• Remove all vehicles and trailers from the driveway and front of the home. Parking inside the garage is acceptable.

• Sweep porches, patios, and entryways to remove dirt or debris.

• Clean or cover grills and outdoor appliances.

• Put away children's toys, pet toys, and visible yard items.

• Ensure pet waste is removed from the lawn.

• Arrange patio furniture neatly; feel free to set the table for a welcoming look.

• Leave patio umbrellas closed unless otherwise instructed.

Interior Preparation

• Open all blinds and window coverings to maximize natural light. (We may adjust as needed.)

• Turn on all interior lights, including lamps, for a bright and welcoming ambiance.

• Remove pet toys and personal items such as keys, photos, and hobby supplies.

• Tuck away paper products like paper towels and tissue boxes.

• Align chairs around tables and bars evenly.

• Fluff and straighten pillows on sofas and chairs.

• Clean any noticeably dirty or streaked windows.

Kitchen

• Clear countertops of excess items; keep only minimal décor or appliances (e.g., coffee maker).

• Ensure the sink is empty and clean.

• Wipe down the stovetop and counters.

• Remove visible food items and kitchen clutter.

• Hide dish towels, rags, or hand towels.

• Dining tables may be left clean or lightly staged if desired.

Bathrooms

• Wipe down mirrors to remove water spots and smudges.

• Ensure all toilet seats and lids are down.

• Clear countertops of personal care items (e.g., toothbrushes, razors, toiletries).

• Remove shower and tub products such as shampoo bottles, loofahs, and washcloths.

• Tuck away tissue boxes and extra paper products.

Bedrooms

• Make all beds neatly and fluff pillows.

• Remove any clothing from floors, beds, or laundry baskets.

• Tidy up visible closet spaces, especially walk-ins.

• Clear nightstands of personal items such as electronics, medical devices, or lotions.

A Quick Note on Pets

We love pets! However, for the duration of the shoot, they will need to be out of frame. If they cannot be removed from the property, we recommend keeping them safely crated in a room that we can photograph last. This minimizes disruption and ensures a smooth process.

Final Reminders

We are truly grateful for the opportunity to photograph your home and support your real estate journey. The more prepared the space is before we arrive, the better the results we can deliver.

Thank you for your time and trust, we’re excited to help your home shine!