PROFESSIONAL PHOTOSHOOT
HOME PREPARATION CHECKLIST
My goal is to photograph your exciting new listing with the highest quality that will wow buyers and attract offers. To ensure your photoshoot goes smoothly and safely, I have created this preparation checklist of things you should do prior to your scheduled photoshoot.
Let’s Make Your Shoot a Success!
❑ To get the best results, please have the home fully cleaned and staged before I arrive - ideally the day prior to your scheduled shoot. I may choose to adjust a few small items (like a vase or a framed photo) for the best composition, but all larger items and decor should be in place ahead of time. Please note that I’m not able to move furniture, clear counters, take out trash, or prep rooms onsite. I also won’t be able to wait while rooms are being cleaned or staged during the shoot—everything needs to be 100% ready when I arrive so we can make the most of your scheduled time. If there’s any concern the home won’t be ready, kindly let your agent know as early as possible so they can reach out to reschedule.
❑ Secure or remove pets: I absolutely love pets but we cannot have them onsite for your photoshoot. Dogs must be secured or off the property to ensure the safety of myself and my equipment. Cats should be secured as well, although they usually pose fewer problems than dogs (they often just hide). Please hide all pet food and water bowls.
❑ Plan not to be seen: I kindly as that ALL occupants plan on being away from the property during the shoot. If there are mitigating circumstances and that isn't possible, all occupants should relax comfortably in one selected room (office or primary bedroom often work well) where they can't be seen during the entire photoshoot - then that room will be photographed last. Using my super-wide angle lens, rooms often overlap in the photos, people can cause shadows and reflections, and there is risk to equipment that will be setup throughout the property. This is especially important if I will be capturing 360 panoramic scans for a Zillow 3D Home Tour. Please plan on the following amount of time for the photoshoot - but it might take longer:
Up to 1000 sq ft = 45 minutes
1000 - 2000 sq ft = 75 minutes
2000 - 3000 sq ft = 90 minutes
3000 - 4000 sq ft = 120 minutes
Please verify with your agent how long we have allotted for the photoshoot to last.
❑ Use the garage for storage: With rare exception, I normally do not photograph garages (unless it is an exceptionally clean and orderly showcase garage), so this is a great place to store items you’d like to hide.
Inside Prep
❑ Please turn all ceiling lights, ceiling fans, and ceiling fan lights OFF. Turn any recessed or accent lighting ON. I most often prefer to capture the property with all lights OFF to achieve truer colors and a higher-end look but I need to be able to see the special(accent) lighting on to make that decision. But please, above all - make sure ceiling fan motors are OFF.
❑ PLEASE replace all burned-out light bulbs at least 24 hours before the photoshoot. I am shooting with the lights off more often than not now for a higher-end final aesthetic but I need to know where the lights are located and if they are working properly in order for me to decide to capture images with them on or off.
❑ PLEASE turn off all ceiling fans - including exterior fans: Before I arrive, please make sure all ceiling fans and oscillating fans and air purifiers are turned OFF.
❑ Remove all personal photos. Discuss with your agent if you should replace those with art or leave a clean space on the wall. If in doubt, please remove those photos.
❑ Clean under the beds and be sure to remove objects that will be visible in a photo. Oftentimes my camera will "see" images "hidden" under the bed.
❑ Straighten all chairs and space them nice and evenly.
❑ Remove all children's toys.
❑ Hide all Kleenex tissue boxes decorative or not
❑ Declutter kitchen: A few items on the counters are usually fine, but dishes, sponges, rags, etc. should be put away. It is best to remove all magnets, pictures, etc. from the refrigerator and remove throw rugs from the floor. I also recommend removing and hiding away the padded kitchen foot mats - comfy but not great for photos! Please hide those.
❑ Declutter bathrooms: Toothpaste, toothbrushes, razors, and other "personal" items should be hidden. Decorative unused soaps, candles, flowers, etc. are preferred. It’s also good to remove all throw rugs from the floor.
❑ REMOVE ALL RUGS FROM FLOOR AT SINK AND SHOWER.
REMOVE ALL WET TOWELS HANGING IN BATHROOM.
❑ Replace all toilet rolls with full rolls.
❑ Put toilet seats down.
❑ Hide all bathroom trash cans in a closet or garage.
❑ Tidy up the primary bedroom walk-in closets: unless its an extra large closet I wont photograph it so it makes a great place to hide clutter; however, if we do need to photograph it, reduce the closet's clothes and contents by 50%. Show off all that nice space.
❑ Prep bedrooms: All bedrooms should have their beds made and items put away.
❑ Hide trashcans: Trashcans can distract so it’s best to hide all of them in closets or the garage.
❑ Hide portable fans: Ceiling fans are selling items but portable fans can give the wrong impression. It’s best to hide all portable fans in closets 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: please set the blind slats to "wide open" position.
Outside Prep
❑ Clear the cars: Make sure no cars are in the driveway. If possible, move cars from the street in front of the home - preferably at least 3 houses down. We want as clear a view as possible of your property and we don't want to see the vehicles from the windows of the upstairs or downstairs.
❑ Do NOT wash off driveways on the day of the shoot - do it the day prior: Watering driveways will almost always cause patches of dry spots and puddles. Not good.
❑ Hide trash cans: Trash cans can be placed on the side of the property or in the garage but the garage is best. I will most likely not be photographing the garage.
❑ Hide garden hoses: Do this the day before the shoot since water hoses can drip water onto the pavement when being moved, leaving puddles in your pictures.
❑ Mow and trim the yard: Do this at least 24 hours prior to your photoshoot.
❑ Turn off sprinklers: Do not water the day of the shoot to prevent puddles on pavement and a darkening color of the lawn. It's not a good look!
❑ Pick up the poop: If you have a dog, make sure that 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 covers removed. For spas, provide instructions to your agent on how to turn it on. Have them on by appointment start time.
❑ Prep water features: If you have fountains, waterfalls, etc., please clean them and provide instructions to the realtor on how to turn them on.
❑ Remove the For-Sale sign or For Lease sign: The sign should be removed from the property or installed after the shoot, since visible branding violates local MLS policies and cannot always be realistically edited out.
❑ Clean patio furniture: Dust and remove cobwebs from all outdoor furniture. Do not hose down your furniture the day of your shoot, since this can create puddles.
Twilight Prep
If you’ve scheduled a twilight shoot the following are additional items to prepare before I arrive. Note that twilights have tight schedules to ensure optimal lighting, so please make sure all of these items are ready before I arrive.
❑ Turn on all interior and exterior lights: All lights throughout the property need to be turned on. Please replace all burned-out bulbs well before the photoshoot.
❑ Turn on spas and remove covers: If you have a spa, remove the cover, and turn it before I arrive. Turn on the lights in the spa 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 fountains, waterfalls, or similar water features, please turn them on before I arrive.
Thanks so much—I’m excited to capture the space at its very best!
Scott Hamilton
Owner/Solo Photographer
Full Page Photo
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