Preparing your home for a professional photography shoot might be daunting. Where do you start?
Let us work together today in establishing – and achieving – clear goals in how to prepare your home for that special professional photo shoot that will change your market acceptance and business relations. Even one that will just make you feel good about the way you are showing your home to potential buyers in your market.
Photographing A Home in Relation to Ourselves
First, it is a well-known fact that preparing for a photo shoot is critical to the success of the final photographic work. So it is great that we are getting that out of our ways.
Just like we feel we need to have showered, done our hair, chosen our clothes and even our make-up before we step up in front of a lens, our homes, also, need a little tidy-up before we open it up to a photographic experience.
Therefore, make sure you take out a few days, at least a couple, before the day of your professional real estate photography session. Make sure your home is in the best condition to be photographed; it is absolutely worth it and necessary!
Now, how do you do that?
We will get to that right below. I have even created a check-list for you to print out to make this all easier.
So, first, let us cover the basics.
What to Expect for A Real Estate Photo Shoot?
Your home or property’s photo-shoot should not take any longer than 2 hours; so it is good to have that time-frame in mind for the big day. Yet, also bear in mind that your selected property will need to be photographed inside and out.
What professional photographers actually need to do is take pictures of all major rooms. However, unless your garage has something unique or particular features to it, we will not be including it in the covered session.
What to Bring Up For the Photographic Session
If you think there are special areas to your home that could use the photographer’s particular attention, feel free to make a list. Point it out! Bring it up in any way you can.
It is important to share these things with the professionals who are coming out to help.
As for the rest, it really is just a matter of going methodically through all required areas and actions.
So, let’s get to it!
Steps to Prepare For the Photo Shoot
If you have pets or there are any pets in the property, it is best they are kept out of sight. They will not be included in the pictures, so the best piece of advice is to contain them somewhere safe and keep them out of vision range.
Move any trash, bins or cans out of the way. We do not want to see waste in pictures aimed at selling. Also, move any possible cars out of the way, too. While driving straight into the driveway might be easy and customary for you, it is best no cars be visible in front of the house at all.
Are there hoses or sprinklers in sight? Let’s get rid of all the garden work evidence. It is best to take those out, as well. This includes any rakes, residues, barrels, etc. But, before you do, make sure you have used them! What I mean is…please make sure the yard is clean, that dead flowers are gone, bushes trimmed, leaves raked out, etc.
Summarized Checklist For Printing
As promised, here is a summarized list for you:
- Overall, think “minimalist”
For outside areas:
- Sweep driveways, sidewalks and patios
- Remove all vehicles from driveways and do not park directly in front of the house
- Remove all garden tools including hoses and sprinklers
- Mow and rake yard, trim any bushes, remove dead flowers
- Move garbage cans out of sight
Inside the home:
- Clear and clean off counter tops in kitchen and bathroom areas, they should be as close to bare as possible
- Tuck trash cans out of view in a closet or cupboard.
- Also, remove all personal photographs
- Remove photos, notes and papers from the refrigerator
- Have hardwood floors? Make sure to sweep and mop them all
- Turn on all interior lights
- Turn ceiling fans and televisions off
- De-clutter rooms which may be excessively furnished. (Those do not photograph well)
- Make all of the beds, clearly, and tidy bedrooms
- Remove piles of newspaper and magazines
- As for clothes, make sure they are hung, or folded and put away
I hope this has helped get a sense of how to clean up and present your home or property not only to the professional photographer coming in to do their job, but also for your potential buyers’ visits. Feel free to drop me a line if you need anything or wish to collaborate further with all items in this list.