Real Property Photographer

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Pre-Shoot Preparation
of an Occupied Property

A Guide for Realtors and Property Owners

When the home is prepared as though it’s being photographed for a glossy magazine, it greatly enhances the realtor’s marketing efforts.

Remember, the camera will capture the property exactly as it is, so make sure it is thoroughly tidied and cleaned BEFORE THE PHOTOGRAPHER ARRIVES.

To help the property look its best, please refer to this checklist:

Outdoor:
  • Remove all cars from the driveway.
  • Hide any garbage, garbage bins/bags, landscaping/garden equipment (spades, rakes, grass-mower etc.) and childern toys. Arrange water hoses beautifully.
  • If there is a gate leading from the street to the backyard, make sure it’s unlocked.
  • Arrange backyard furniture beautifully.
Please complete all outdoor preparations at least half an hour before the scheduled time, as the photographer may arrive earlier to take exterior photos.

At the entrance:
  • Hide all shoes and the doormat.
Kitchen:
  • Clear off countertops completely. Remove anything not permanently attached – kettles and other small appliances, soap, sponge, cleaning supplies/cloths, dishes, drying racks, paper towels.
  • Leave only attractive decorative items (e.g., elegant designer bottles, vases, plants and statuettes).
  • Hang towels beautifully (or remove them at all). No towel on the oven handle!
  • Clear refrigerator of magnets and other items.
Living Room / Family Room:
  • Place all chairs in an aligned position.
  • Arrange sofa pillows neatly; smooth throws.
  • Clear surfaces except for lamps and decor.
Bedrooms:
  • Make all beds hotel-neat.
  • Put away all clothing and personal items.
  • Clear bedside tables except for lamps and decor.
Bathrooms:
  • Remove anything not permanently attached – toothpaste cups, soaps, shampoos, razors, sponges, scrubbers, cleaning cloths, hangers, extra rolls of toilet paper, toilet-cleaning tools, rugs.
  • Leave only attractive decorative items (e.g., elegant designer bottles, vases, plants and statuettes).
  • Hang towels beautifully (or remove them at all).
  • Clean mirrors and shower doors.
  • Close the toilet lids.
General (the whole home):
  • Make sure all light bulbs are working.
  • If possible, remove everything which personalizes the home — family photos, baby accessories, pet items (food bowls, litter box, etc), educational diplomas, sports medals and certificates, political signs, souvenirs that point to other countries — anything that will prevent potential buyers from seeing THEIR future home on the photos.
  • Open curtains and arrange them simmetrically in a pleasing way.
  • Open blinds horizontally flat. If they don’t look perfectly, open them at all.
  • Hide any cleaning supplies like the broom, bucket, mop, cloth, detergent, rubber gloves, etc.
Thank you for preparing! These steps will help present the property at its very best.
REMARK:
If there are multiple floors or a basement, residents can stay home during the photo shoot, but we ask that they don’t stay on the floor being photographed at that moment.

If the home is single-story with no basement, it’s best if residents leave, with only one person staying if necessary (the realtor or a resident). Otherwise, the shoot can drag on because people keep ending up in the frame (it’s 100% guaranteed, trust our experience!) — and you want the photographer to finish and leave as quickly as possible, don’t you?
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