A simple PRE-PHOTO CHECKLIST before your photographer arrives.
To get the most out of your professional real estate photographer, please use this simple PRE PHOTO checklist to ensure that your house is photo ready and welcoming when they arrive.
I know I work best when my attention is 100% focused (pun intended) on making great photographs. Remember, your preparations will be rewarded in the final images delivered.
LIVING AREAS – These images are often used as a main selling image.
- Remember to check & replace any burned out light bulbs through out the house.
- Replace personal family photos with general artwork if possible.
- Declutter dinning and coffee tables – I know life can get busy, but please hide away any bills or personal items.
- Open all curtains & blinds to let that light in.
- Remove washing airers & exercise equipment from living areas.
- Pets: we all love our pets, but please remove all food, water bowls & pet beds.
- Put away spare shoes and jackets left in hallways, these can be messy in final images.
KITCHEN – Work surfaces will appear bigger if they are decluttered.
- Clean & declutter all surfaces, especially the kitchen countertops.
- Remove any dishes from sink, place in dishwasher.
- Remove magnets, notes, reminders, and other personal information from the refrigerator. (It keeps your personal info safe from the general public).
- Remember to hide that rubbish bin.
- You can also add a bowl of brightly coloured fruit or flowers as a pop of colour.
BATHROOMS – You want the bathrooms to appear vacant.
- Put the toilet seat down — a minor detail, but makes a huge difference.
- Remove all shampoo bottles, soaps, shaving razors. Take everything off of the bathroom surfaces.
- Remove dirty towels – Clean, unused folded towels on towel racks are perfect.
- Hide away all your cleaning bottles.
BEDROOMS – Think of a freshly cleaned hotel room.
- Make all beds & fluff pillows. Use your best matching bed covers & pillow cases that fit the bed well.
- Clean under beds, removing items that may show in the photos.
- Store away phone/tablet charging cables & remove prescription bottles, tissues form bedside tables.
Laundry – Yes we will photograph in there too.
- So remove baskets of dirty washing.
- Put washing detergents bottles away in cupboards.
The dreaded spare room.
- I often find this is the most contentious area in many households, as its the perfect place to use as the declutter overflow room. But remember, this is another room that adds value to your property. So having a usable image of this area is a real plus.
OUTDOOR & BACKYARD
- Remove all washing & pegs from your washing line. (I know it’s tempting to get your washing dry when it’s sunny. But it’s also great for real estate photos).
- If you have an outdoor seating area, make sure tables and chairs are clean (remember to pop that umbrella up).
- Remove outdoor BBQ Covers. If it’s an old grill that needs to be covered because it’s rusty maybe it’s better to hide it away.
- Rubbish & Recycle bins should not be visible in the front or back of the house (store in the garage if possible).
- Pull cars out of the driveway: it gives you a chance to show off the front of the home and the car parking area.
- General gardening at your discretion. But mown lawns are a must (preferably the day before).
- Sweep paths and decking areas.
- Tidy children’s toys & bikes.
- Remove or wind-up watering hoses.
- Open all curtains blinds. This might seem like an indoor thing but remember what your house will look like when photographed from the outside.
So there you have it, some real life tips on how to prepare your home for Real Estate Photography. (before the photographer arrives). These are just some of the things I’ve learnt over the past 5 years making Real Estate images for people here in Dunedin. I hope they help.
If you have any other suggestions for people, please leave a comment below. It would be great to learn some more.
