How To Get Your Listing Ready For A Real Estate Photography Shoot

First, we would like to say thank you for the opportunity to work with you and photograph your listing. 

Most real estate photography photo shoots can be about 1 to 2 hours. The checklist below is to help you and the seller make the most out of the real estate photography shoot.

The intent of the list for preparing your listing for Real Estate Photography is meant to help you and the seller to save time and use this opportunity to make the seller's home look the best for marketing opportunities.

EXPECTATIONS FOR THE PHOTO SHOOT

The property should be Real Estate Photography shoot-ready when the photographer arrives. We want the Real Estate Photos of the property to be the best. 

This requires work that will result in an outstanding online presence when your property goes on the market for sale.

Although we would like to help you style or design your home, unfortunately, we do not have the required skill set to do so.

We ask that all staging and the cleaning be done before the Real Estate Photographer comes to take the photos of your property.

To efficiently maintain our busy schedule and deliver the level of service our clients expect, we cannot spend unnecessary time at home waiting for it to be cleaned, dusted, decluttered, items to be moved from room to room during the shoot, etc.

We are not responsible and will not partake in any of the following duties while photographing your home:

Photographers cannot do the following:

• Move or re-arrange furniture

• Make beds, clean, dust or declutter

• Pick up toys or yard items

• "Photoshop" vehicles, walls, damaged walls, power lines, wall pictures, cords, add grass to yards, or change anything that would misrepresent the properties condition at the time of the shoot, etc.

• Touch personal bathroom supplies such as shampoo, toothbrushes, deodorant, towels, etc.

• Waiting for items to be moved from room to room during the shoot.

FIRST IMPRESSION COUNT

The majority of home buyers start their search online, so it is crucial to make the first impression count!

Follow these tips to prepare your home for the best real estate photos possible.

General Cleaning

• Clean counter tops.

• Clean windows.

• Turn all overhead lights and lamps off.

• Replace all burned-out light bulbs.

• Use bulbs of the same temperature/color with all incandescent or fluorescent lights.

• Turn off all ceiling fans.

• Turn all TVs and computer screens off.

• Open blinds or window treatments to some let in outside light.

• Mini blinds should be slightly open tilted to the ceiling, pushing the reflected light up towards the ceiling. You want the glare of the sun to reflect outside.

• Remove personal photographs. You can replace the photos with general landscape photographs.

• Make all beds.

• Remove all small floor rugs to reveal actual flooring in all rooms.

• Place all shoes or jackets in closets.

Exterior 

• Remove all cars from the view of windows and driveways.

• Please do not park cars directly in front of the home.

• Remove all yard signs (real estate for sale signs, yard signs, political signs)

• No flags or door decorations, please. Doormats and flags should be removed and stored in the garage.

• Remove bicycles, boats, garbage cans, water hoses, alarm signs, and dead plants.

• Sweep off patio decks and walkways.

• Remove fallen limbs from the yard.

• If you have patio cushions, please arrange them neatly on the patio furniture.

• If they are faded and worn, it is best to go without the cushions.

• Remove all grill covers.

• Grills should be cleaned and ready for photos.

Interior 

• Turn on all lights and make sure they are all working.

• Curtains should be open.

• A mini blind should be tilted to the ceiling for real estate photography.

• Please remove all soap sponges, drying racks, dirty dishes, and food off the countertops.

• All garbage cans should be out of sight.

• All towels should be removed from appliances.

• Remove everything from the exterior of the refrigerator doors and sides. For example, calendars, magnets, and photos.

• All pet items and pet foods should be out of sight.

• Please plan to confine pets to a room.

• Please attempt to remove or hide all chords for your electronics as best as possible.

• Clean mirrors and shower doors.

• If you feel that the room is too dark, you may want to add a lamp to brighten up the place.

• Please remove all small area rugs. If you have hardwood floors, it is best to show them off.

• Remove all remote controls place in drawers or under pillows.

• Please make sure that the items under beds are not seen from a distance.

• The real estate photographer will be there about an hour doing photos of the front yard, all major rooms, and the backyard.

Interior Lighting and Fixtures

Please be sure to check the light bulbs and fixtures in the property before the shoot to ensure the light bulbs are the same color and kind in each room. Mixed colors in the same room can lead to inaccurate wall colors and unwanted color cast that sometimes can not be corrected.

• Warm or Soft White bulbs - Are not ideal for lighting rooms as they have a heavy yellow or orange color cast. These bulbs should be changed out before the shoot.

• Bright White or Cool White bulbs - Are better for lighting rooms as they do not have as much of a color cast and tend to be more neutral in color giving a more accurate color cast.

• Natural White or Daylight bulbs - Are the best for lighting rooms as they do not give off color cast and allow for the most accurate colors.

Be sure to check lighting fixtures to ensure they are not throwing unwanted shows or patterns on walls or ceilings. If they are, you may want to leave these lights off during the shoot. The camera will accentuate these and they will become more noticeable in the photos.

Pets

• Keep the food and the water bowls in the closet area.

• Hide the pet beds or toys in the pantry or closet.

• Use a lint roller on furniture to remove the hair.

• Contain pets in an out of site place or outside.

• Make sure the back yard is free of pet waste or toys.

Drone Media

• Some addresses are located in  No Fly Zones or Restricted Air Space. You can check the property address at Airmaps.com

• Close garage doors.

• Remove cars from driveway and front of home.

• Put away any items that may be laying around the yard.

• Sweep the porch, sidewalks and driveway.

• Open and arrange all window treatments to same length.

• Uncover and clean your pool and spa.

• Remove pool vacuum/cleaner hose, hide pool supplies.

• Put away any items that may be laying around the yard.

• Turn on pool water slides/fountains/water features.

• Remove trash cans.

• Clean up landscaping (mow, trim shrubs, clear leaves).

• During filming make sure not to walk around inside the home or look out the windows.

• Drones can not fly when wind gusts are above 25 mph, even on clear days.

Twilight Photos

• Someone who is familiar with all of the interior and exterior lighting and pool features should be present at the photo session.

• Turn on all interior and exterior lighting, to include landscape and pool lighting. Be prepared to turn off floor lighting upon photographer request.

• Turn on any other special exterior features, such as waterfalls and fountains, and consider lighting fires in outdoor fireplace or fire pits.

• Remove covers from outdoor furniture, consider staging any tables with fresh, clean rolled towels.

• Remove grill covers (if grill is in good condition).

• Pick up toys from the yard

• Check exterior and interior lighting to ensure all lighting is the same color (Warm, Bright White, Daylight)

• Remove trash cans.

Typical Photo Shoot List (in order)

• 2 or 3 photos in Front of the Property

• 1 to 2 Entrance

• 2 to 3 Living/Great Room

• 1 to 2 Dining Room

• 2 Family Room

• 2 to 3 Kitchen

• 2 Bonus room

• 1 Hallway bathroom

• 1 to 2 Master bedroom

• 1 to 2 Master bathroom

• 1 to 2 All other bedrooms

• 1 to 2 All other rooms

• 1 of each bathroom if possible

• 3 or 4 shots of the backyard

Note:

No photos will be taken inside garages or inside closets unless requested. We can not guarantee a exact number of photos as this is determined by the floor plan, furniture placement, available angles and lighting. We will make every effort to take as many photos as possible to showcase the property. If you want specific shots communicate this to the photographer at the shoot. Otherwise the photographer will take what he feels are the best available angles.

How Long Will it Take to Photograph a Property?

The amount of time it takes to do real estate photography, whether it is a home or a commercial building, varies. Moreover, the number one most important factor is the property’s size. Generally, prepare for about an hour to an hour and a half. Nevertheless, expect longer time for homes over 4,000 Sq Ft or homes with video walkthroughs.

Note: You can see the time estimated for your photo shoot package at time of booking.

Be Prepared to Reschedule

Photographers work around the weather because it has such a substantial impact on the final marketing materials for the home. It is not possible to fly drones, take photos, and get video footage if it is raining and windy.

Be prepared to reschedule your photo shoot if the weather is terrible. If our professional photographers determines we should wait, trust them that it is for the best. We will reschedule your shoot for the next available date.

*Note - Drones can not fly when wind gusts are above 25 mph. You can check wind gusts online at UAV forecast at UAV Forecast.com

Be Prepared to Leave for the Shoot

We use imaging technology that will photo every part of the home and yard. If you have pets or little ones running through the house during a photo shoot, they are likely to be in the photos or videos.

Please give the photographer a non-occupied space to work with. This will help the photographer move faster and create better work for you by not getting distracted while working.

Even if people just shuffling from room to room to "stay out of the way," it is very distracting, and sometimes you will show up in the photos. You will get the most out of the marketing process if the home is unoccupied.

When your professional photographer or videographer is finished, they will message the Realtor to let them know that they are done.

Turnaround Times

Your images and single-property tour website are sent to you the next business day in most cases. Shoots with addition services like video walkthroughs, 3D Tours measurements/floor plans and twilight photos may take longer. Homes over 4,500 Sq. Ft. may take additional time. We will make every effort to deliver your media as quick as possible.