Prepare for Professional Photography

How to prepare your home for professional photography

Photos are your home's first impression and professional photography will showcase your home's beauty with stunning high-quality images. This article highlights photo-ready tips to help you prepare for your appointment with your photographer.

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Declutter and remove personal items

Taking the time to declutter your home will have a big impact on how the space feels and looks. Removing the clutter now will create less work when you're preparing for showings. When decluttering think of an Airbnb - your home should feel like any buyer can walk into it and make it their own. Decluttering can be challenging so try working on one room at a time to make the process feel less overwhelming.

• Stash extra and personal items in closets or the garage. If you have an abundance of extra items, consider renting a storage unit to keep your items neat and well-kept during the photoshoot and upcoming showings.
• Remove extra furniture.
• Hide unnecessary items and small trinkets.
• Remove small kitchen appliances.
• Clear tables and counters.
• Declutter bookcases.
• Show off your beautiful floors. Remove floor mats and extra rugs.
• Hide family photographs and personal items.
• This may be a great time to start donating some items you don't want to take with you when you move. Call local donation centers or consignment stores to inquire about items they accept.
• Consider consulting a stager if you want to go the extra mile in making your home look its best.

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Clean

Roll up your shirt sleeves and get ready to clean. After decluttering, you may have found some areas that need extra deep cleaning (we're not judging). If you're extra crafty, call in favors with your family and friends to help. Then, order take out and enjoy the sparkle of your clean home with your lovely (and helpful) friends and family.

• Vacuum carpets.
• Dust surfaces.
• Mop floors.
• Scrub bathrooms.
• Clean the kitchen.
• Tidy the yard.
• If you want to go the extra mile, hire a cleaning service to help make your home spotless.

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Make plans for pets

You love your furry/feathery/scaly friends but not everyone is an animal person. Your house will appeal to more buyers if you make plans for pets during the photoshoot and upcoming showings.

• Remove any pet items and place them out of sight.
• Deodorize pet areas.
• Have a family member take pets for an outing during the photoshoot, put them in a hidden crate, or send them to daycare/a neighbor's home for the day.

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Lighting

Have you ever seen a photograph with bad lighting? Your house should feel open, airy, and as light as possible. We're channeling the lights of downtown or an indoor atrium.

• Turn on all overhead/ceiling lights.
• Turn on all lamps.
• If you have one, turn on the light above the stove.
• Open all window treatments, blinds, and curtains.
• Check and replace any burnt-out lightbulbs.

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Exterior

Photographs are buyers' first impression and the front of your home is the first photograph buyers generally see.

• Park cars in the garage or on the street.
• Close the garage door.
• Clear the driveway of trashcans.
• Sweep the driveway and front door area of debris.
• Trim trees and bushes.
• Mow the lawn.

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Kitchen

You may or may not live full-time in your kitchen. We store sweaters in our kitchen cabinets, but we polled buyers and it turns out many are very interested in kitchens.

• Clean off fridge magnets and personal fridge decorations. Yes, that even means your child's beautiful masterpieces from art class.
• Wash all dishes and put them away.
• Show off your countertops! Remove appliances and items from the counters.
• Wipe down the front of the fridge, microwave, and oven.

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Bedrooms/Bathrooms

#ThisHomeLooksLikeAHotel!

• Make beds.
• Fluff pillows.
• Put down toilet seats.
• Put out fresh bathroom towels.

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Congrats!

When your photographer arrives for their appointment, do a quick walkthrough to show off your beautiful home and all the hard work you've done to prepare for the photoshoot. Then, follow your photographer's instructions for what to do next. From our experience, the photographer usually wants to work their camera magic uninterrupted (we hear you, Ansel Adams).

Whew. great work! We know it's a process getting your house ready for professional photography. But, has your house ever looked better?!?! Buyers are going to drool over your stunning photos and preparing for upcoming showings will be a breeze!