Please ensure your property is ready for filming upon arrival. Our photographers begin as soon as they arrive, so it is best that the property be completely ready and clear of all people and pets (including children, homeowners, and contractors) at the start time of the shoot.
We recommend treating the shoot as an open house, and prep for your appointment the same way you would if you were showing the property that day. Please follow our guide below and pass it along to the homeowners to ensure the best results!
General Tips
Turn all lights ON, replacing any burnt out bulbs, and turn all ceiling fans OFF
Pull blinds all the way up where possible, or make sure all blinds are even
Have the home staged BEFORE our photographers arrive, if you are planning to stage the property
If you are not planning to stage the property, we recommend clearing all areas of the property of clutter, leaving only decorations
Remove any personal photos or anything that displays personal information
Remove pets, cages, food and water bowls that may be visible, as well as trash cans or recycling bins
Turn off all TVs and computer screens
Exterior
Remove cars from driveway
Hide or place at the street any trash/recycling bins, and pick up any debris or construction material and move out of view
Close garage and shed doors
Clean any deck/patio furniture and sweep leaves or debris off of deck/patio
Maintain lawn by cutting grass, picking up fallen tree limbs, etc.
Remove clutter such as children's toys, pet toys, or garden hoses
Try to wait to put up realtor signs until after the shoot (we can blur these signs, but it always looks better without them!)
Living Spaces
Remove small appliances from kitchen counters
Clean up office spaces and remove any important documents or paper clutter
Arrange any throw pillows neatly
Ensure dining room chairs/bar stools are arranged neatly and evenly
Remove any small rugs that may make the space seem smaller
Straighten any furniture or rugs that may seem skewed
Bedrooms and Bathrooms
Make beds
Remove dirty laundry or laundry baskets from view
Ensure items underneath the bed are not visible
Remove dirty towels from the bathroom, and arrange clean ones neatly
Remove clutter such as nightstand items, bathroom counter items, or excessive towels or bedding
Remove shampoo, soap, and bath toys from showers and tubs unless decorative
Fully close all toilet seats
In children’s rooms, try to hide anything with personal information such as names, schedules, or photos
If there are items that cannot be removed, or that are forgotten during your prep, we offer image enhancement services and item removal, though it is always better to remove the items in the first place, and will save you time and money in the long run.
Please note that if our photographers arrive and you are not ready for the shoot, or have not followed the guidelines above, your appointment may be cancelled or rescheduled and you will incur a fee. For more on our cancellation and rescheduling policy, see our Cancellation and Payment Policy available on our site HERE, or refer to the Terms and Conditions sent to you with your booking confirmation email.