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PHOTO PREP GUIDE
BEFORE YOUR SHOOT
Photo Prep Guide.
A well-prepared home makes for stunning photos. Use this room-by-room checklist to get the property shoot-ready — and share it with your sellers before every appointment.
🏠 Whole House
Vacuum all carpeted areas and mop all hard floors including bathrooms
Use a lint roller to remove pet hair from furniture and linens
Hide pet bowls in a closet or pantry
Place all coats, backpacks and shoes in closets
Turn all lights and lamps on throughout the entire home
Replace any burned out bulbs — use the same color temperature throughout (all incandescent or all compact fluorescent)
Turn all ceiling fans off
🏡 Exterior Front
Close all garage doors
Move all cars away from the driveway and front of the home
Tidy the landscaping — mow, trim shrubs, and remove leaves
Remove any visible cobwebs from door frames and eaves
Sweep the front porch
Remove all visible water hoses
Remove trash cans from view
🌿 Exterior Back
Remove all toys, sports balls, basketball goals, soccer goals, etc.
Sweep the patio and straighten all patio cushions
Remove all visible water hoses
Remove trash cans from view
Remove all pet waste and pet toys
Clean the pool
Remove pool vacuum, cleaner hose, and hide all pool cleaning supplies
Turn on any pool fountains or water features
🥣 Kitchen and Dining Room
Wipe off and completely clear all countertops — remove clutter, knife blocks, baking supplies, mail, and knick-knacks
Leave out one small appliance such as a coffee maker
Remove all magnets, papers, and photos from the refrigerator
Hide garbage cans in the pantry or a closet
All dishes out of the sink and placed in the dishwasher
Clear, clean, and dust the dining room table
Place one decorative centerpiece in the center of the table
Space all dining table chairs evenly and remove any child seats
🛋️ Living Room
Remove and hide all children's toys
Hide all personal photographs
Keep the fireplace mantel simple — use a maximum of 5 decorative pieces including any art
Straighten and fluff all furniture pillows
Remove extra papers, magazines, books, and mail
Turn television off
De-clutter, clean, and organize all bookshelves
Space all dining table chairs evenly and remove any child seats
🛌 Primary Bedroom
Remove clutter and knick-knacks from all bedroom furniture — tables, dressers, etc.
Make sure items under the bed cannot be seen
Make the bed using matching decorative pillows if available
Put away all phone chargers, cords, and electronic devices
🚪 Secondary Bedrooms
Remove all personal items from walls — stickers, name decals, and photos
Declutter dressers and nightstands
Remove any toiletry items such as diaper genies and trash cans
Make sure items under the bed are not visible
🛁 Bathrooms
Completely clear and clean all countertops
Remove ALL toiletries — soap, deodorant, toothbrushes, etc.
Close all closet doors
Remove all floor and bath mats
Remove all toiletries from showers and tubs — shampoos, soaps, loofahs, razors, etc.
Make sure decorative towels are clean and straightened
Clean all mirrors
Put all toilet seats down
🐾 Pets
All pets should be crated in a hidden area or outside during the entire photo shoot
Clean up all pet waste and remove all pet toys
Make sure litter boxes and puppy pads are not visible
Hide all pet beds and food and water bowls