Prepping Your Home for a Photo Shoot

Tips for Home Sellers

Getting a home ready for professional real estate photography doesn't have to be complicated. In fact, a few simple preparations can make a big difference in how a property looks in its listing photos.

Preparation affects the final images. A beautifully maintained home can lose some of its appeal when countertops are crowded, beds are unmade, or everyday distractions are left in view. The good news? Most of these things are easy to fix.

Here's a short list of things to do before the photographer arrives.

1. Make the beds

This might seem obvious, but bedrooms are some of the most important rooms in a home. A neatly made bed, arranged pillows, and a clean, uncluttered nightstand can make the entire room feel more inviting.

Keep bedding simple and neutral when possible. Remove extra blankets, stuffed animals, and anything that makes the bed look overly busy.

A well-prepared bedroom helps buyers picture themselves living there.

2. Clear the kitchen countertops

The kitchen is often one of the first places buyers look when browsing listing photos.

Put away small appliances that aren't needed, remove mail and paperwork, and clear away food containers and miscellaneous items.

You don't need to make the kitchen look like a showroom. You just want buyers to see the countertops, cabinets, and overall space.

3. Turn on the lights

Before photography begins, turn on the lights throughout the home. I use HDR photography almost exclusively, which benefits from a combination of light sources. Interior photography benefits from a combination of natural light and interior lighting. Lamps, ceiling fixtures, and accent lighting can help create a warm, inviting atmosphere. This is why I use HDR photography almost exclusively. I’ll go into HDR (high dynamic range) in more detail in another post.

Replace burned-out bulbs and make sure bulbs have a consistent color temperature where possible.

4. Open the blinds and curtains

Natural light can make a tremendous difference in real estate photography.

Open blinds and curtains to let daylight into the rooms. If a window has a particularly attractive view, make sure it isn't blocked by furniture, plants, or unnecessary decorations. Again, HDR photography is best suited to handle a wide range of lighting sources.

Clean windows are also worth the effort. Smudges and fingerprints may not be obvious in person, but they can become distractions in photographs.

5. Remove personal items and distractions

Family photos, children's artwork, collections, and personal items are part of what makes a house a home.

However, when preparing for listing photography, consider putting some of these things away temporarily.

The goal isn't to erase the personality of the home. It's to help buyers focus on the property itself.

Remove excessive decorations, large collections, and anything that competes with the room's best features.

6. Clean the bathrooms

Bathrooms should be clean, tidy, and as uncluttered as possible.

Put away toiletries, toothbrushes, medications, cleaning supplies, and extra towels. Close the toilet lid and remove wastebaskets if practical.

Fresh, neatly folded towels and a clean countertop can make a bathroom feel much more inviting.

Don't forget mirrors and shower glass. These surfaces are especially noticeable in photographs.

7. Hide the everyday clutter

Shoes by the door. Pet toys on the floor. Laundry baskets in the hallway. Cords, chargers, and piles of paperwork.

These are all normal parts of daily life, but they can distract from the features buyers want to see.

Before your photographer arrives, take a walk through the home and look for anything that doesn't need to be visible.

A few minutes of decluttering can make rooms feel larger and more organized.

8. Prepare the exterior

The outside of the home is usually the first image buyers see in a listing.

Mow the lawn, sweep the front walkway, remove unnecessary items from the porch, and tidy up outdoor furniture.

Put away garden hoses, toys, trash cans, and seasonal decorations that don't help showcase the property.

If the home has a deck, patio, pool, or attractive landscaping, make sure those areas are ready to be photographed.

First impressions matter.

9. Make arrangements for pets

Pets are wonderful, but they can make photography more challenging.

If possible, arrange for pets to be out of the home during the shoot. This makes it easier for me to move from room to room and helps keep the focus on the property.

Put away food bowls, litter boxes, toys, and other pet-related items when practical.

I really appreciate the extra preparation, and your pets may appreciate a little time away from the camera.

10. Listen to your photographer's recommendations

Every home is different.

I’ve photographed hundreds of homes, which helps me identify the features that deserve attention and suggest small changes before photography begins.

Sometimes that means moving a chair, removing a few items from a countertop, or opening a particular window covering.

These small adjustments can make a meaningful difference in the final images.

A little preparation goes a long way

Professional photography starts before the camera comes out.

When a home is clean, organized, and ready to be photographed, the images have a better opportunity to show its best features.

At Upstate Foto, I work with real estate agents throughout Greater Rochester and the Finger Lakes to create professional HDR listing photography that helps present their properties in the best possible light.

Ready to get your listing photo-ready?

Contact Upstate Foto to schedule your next real estate photography session.

Steve Wilson
585-500-5996
steve@upstatefoto.com

Upstate Foto — Professional Real Estate Photography in Greater Rochester Area