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How to Prepare Your Home for
Real Estate Photography

Preparing your home properly is one of the most important steps in getting great real estate photos. A clean, well-prepared space photographs better and helps potential buyers or guests clearly see the property's space, features, and character.

Based on my experience photographing more than 1,600 properties, these preparation steps can make a significant difference in how a home looks online.

General Home Preparation
 

  • Thoroughly clean the entire home. Vacuum carpets, mop hard-surface floors, and clean countertops.

  • Clean windows, glass doors, and mirrors.

  • Turn on all interior lights. Replace any burned-out bulbs and, whenever possible, use bulbs with a consistent color temperature.

  • Turn off all ceiling fans.

  • Turn off all TVs and computer screens.

  • Open blinds, curtains, and other window treatments to bring in natural light and show exterior views.

  • Remove personal photographs when practical, or replace them with neutral artwork.

  • Make all beds and straighten or fluff pillows. Wrinkles and untidy bedding can be especially noticeable in photographs.

  • Remove small floor rugs from kitchens, bathrooms, entryways, and other areas where they hide the flooring.

  • Put clothing, shoes, and other personal items away in closets or storage areas.

  • Declutter rooms that are excessively furnished or contain unnecessary items. A cleaner, less cluttered room makes it easier to see the space and its features.

Exterior Preparation
 

  • Close all garage doors.

  • Remove vehicles from the driveway and, whenever possible, from directly in front of the home.

  • Tidy the landscaping. Mow the lawn, trim shrubs, and remove leaves or other debris as needed.

  • Remove or hide garden hoses, tools, lawn equipment, and other maintenance items.

  • Put away children's toys, sports equipment, balls, portable basketball goals, soccer goals, and similar items.

  • Clean and tidy porches, decks, patios, and outdoor living areas. Straighten tables, chairs, cushions, and other outdoor furniture.

  • Clean swimming pools, hot tubs, fountains, and other water features.

  • Hide trash cans, recycling bins, and other waste containers.

Kitchen Preparation
 

  • Clear countertops of unnecessary items, including dish soap, sponges, mail, food, baking supplies, and other everyday items.

  • Clean windows and all shiny or reflective surfaces, including countertops, sinks, faucets, and appliances.

  • One or two attractive small appliances, such as a coffee maker, may remain on the counter if they complement the space.

  • Remove magnets, photographs, papers, calendars, and other items from the refrigerator.

  • Remove dishes from the sink and put away dish racks, towels, and cleaning supplies.

  • Hide trash cans and recycling bins.

Dining Room Preparation
 

  • Clear the dining table and clean or polish the tabletop.

  • Add a simple decorative place setting if appropriate.

  • Use one attractive centerpiece, such as a vase of fresh flowers or another simple decorative item.

  • Straighten all chairs and space them evenly around the table.

  • Remove unnecessary items from sideboards, buffets, or other surfaces to keep the room looking clean and uncluttered.

Living Room & Family Room Preparation
 

  • Remove stacks of magazines, newspapers, mail, remote controls, and other everyday items.

  • Declutter the fireplace mantel and hearth, keeping only a few simple decorative items if appropriate.

  • Clean the fireplace interior and fireplace doors or screen.

  • Fluff and neatly arrange pillows and cushions.

  • Straighten furniture and remove unnecessary throws or blankets.

  • Put away children's toys, pet toys, pet beds, food bowls, and other pet-related items.

Primary Bedroom Preparation
 

  • Make the bed neatly, including decorative pillows or shams if available. Smooth the bedding and remove visible wrinkles whenever possible.

  • Clear nightstands of personal items, medications, tissues, water bottles, and other everyday items.

  • Hide phones, remote controls, chargers, and charging cables.

  • Declutter dresser tops and other surfaces. Put away jewelry and personal items.

  • Remove or minimize personal and family photographs when practical.

  • Put away clothing, shoes, laundry baskets, and other visible items.

  • Check underneath the bed and remove any items that may be visible in photographs.

  • Make sure closet doors and dresser drawers are completely closed.

Guest & Children's Bedroom Preparation
 

  • Make the bed neatly and straighten pillows, blankets, and bedding.

  • Remove personalized names, photographs, and highly personal items when practical.

  • Remove wall stickers and posters if they can be taken down without damaging the walls.

  • Put away toys, clothing, shoes, books, and other unnecessary items.

  • Clear nightstands, dressers, desks, and other surfaces of clutter.

  • Check underneath the bed and remove any items that may be visible in photographs.

  • Make sure closet doors and dresser drawers are completely closed.

Bathroom Preparation
 

  • Clear countertops of personal items and toiletries.

  • Put away toothbrushes, toothpaste, soap, medications, deodorant, perfume, cosmetics, razors, and other personal-care products.

  • Close toilet lids.

  • Remove shampoo bottles, soap, loofahs, razors, and other items from showers and bathtubs.

  • Remove used towels. Display only clean, neatly folded or hung towels, or leave towel racks empty.

  • Remove bath mats and floor rugs to show the flooring.

  • Clean mirrors, glass shower doors, faucets, countertops, sinks, and other shiny or reflective surfaces.

  • Make sure shower curtains and glass shower doors are neatly positioned.

Pet Preparation
 

  • Put away pet beds, toys, food and water bowls, litter boxes, and other pet-related items.

  • Remove or hide pet crates when practical.

  • Use a lint roller or vacuum to remove visible pet hair from furniture, rugs, and other surfaces.

  • Clear the yard of pet waste, toys, and other pet-related items.

  • Pets must be safely secured and kept away from the photographer during the entire photo shoot. Please place pets in a secure area that will not be photographed, or make arrangements for them to be away from the property during the appointment.

  • Do not allow pets to roam freely while photography or video is in progress. This can interfere with the shoot and create a safety concern for both the photographer and the pet.

Think of your home like a model home or hotel —
clean, uncluttered, and inviting.

During the Photo Shoot
 

I appreciate your help in preparing the property! Before setting up my equipment, I'll ask for a brief walk-through. This gives you and/or your listing agent an opportunity to point out any special features, details, or areas you'd like included in the photographs.
 

Once photography begins, please allow me room to work and try to remain outside the areas being photographed. Because I use wide-angle lenses, people can sometimes appear unexpectedly in adjoining rooms or reflections, requiring the photograph to be retaken.
 

I always enjoy friendly conversation, but it's best saved for before or after the shoot. While I'm photographing the property, I need 100% focus (pun intended!) to capture the best possible images of your home.
 

Most residential photo shoots take approximately 1–3 hours, depending on the size of the property, number of rooms, and services requested.

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