Home Checklist For Photography

Decluttering

  • Remove personal items and family photos for privacy reasons - I’m literally coming to your house to take photos and put them on the internet!

  • Depersonalize, we are selling your home, not your personality

  • Clear surfaces of unnecessary objects (tables, counters, shelves)

  • Organize closets and storage spaces - or stuff them to the brim and close the door

  • Remove small rugs by doorways and in bathrooms

Cleaning

  • Deep clean all rooms, including floors and windows

  • Dust surfaces, light fixtures, ceiling fans and baseboards

  • Ensure bathrooms and kitchens are spotless

Staging for Photography

  • Arrange furniture to create an open feel - less is more

  • Use neutral or complementary colors for decor

  • Identify best angles, focal points, and areas to avoid

  • Incorporate inviting elements (throws, pillows, plants)

  • Fluff all pillows, fold all blankets, and fix all cushions 

Lighting

  • Maximize natural light by opening curtains and blinds

  • Replace any burnt-out light bulbs (pay attention to bulb temperatures and make them consistent throughout the house)

  • Consider additional lighting (lamps, accent lights) for dim areas

Curb Appeal

  • Mow the lawn and trim hedges at least one day prior (if lawn is not mowed, call it “Lush” and move on)

  • Remove all vehicles from driveway and in front of property

  • Remove all trash bins and garbage bags from view

  • Remove toys, balls, and yard games

  • Wash windows (inside and outside)

  • Tidy or remove watering hoses (don’t make me use Photoshop!)

  • Clean and stage walkways, driveways, decks, porches, and sitting areas

  • Close doors and windows

  • Add potted plants or fresh flowers at the entrance and mulch to empty flower beds

  • Take down flags, they flutter in the wind and almost always look distractingly blurry in photos

Garage

  • We only photograph garages if they are empty, have interesting workshop, or storage features to showcase, otherwise your best bet is to just put everything extra from cleaning the house into the garage and close the doors. 


Room-Specific Touches

Living Room

  • Arrange seating for a cozy atmosphere

  • Add decorative elements (art, books) without overcrowding

  • Remove papers, mail, toys, etc.

Kitchen

  • Clear countertops of appliances and clutter

  • Take everything out of the sink and shove it into the dishwasher or put away in cabinets

  • Set the dining table attractively and/or remove tablecloth

  • Close all cabinets, drawers, and doors

  • Remove ALL magnets and papers from refrigerator doors

  • Hide trash can

  • Arrange the pantry in an aesthetically pleasing way or throw everything in there and shut the door (hey, ya gotta do whatcha gotta do!) 

Bedrooms

  • Make beds with fresh linens

  • Keep nightstands tidy and minimal (this includes removing c-pap machines)

  • Remove all personal items, including photos 

  • Clean under beds and nightstands so objects [shoes, boxes, storage containers, blow-up dolls/dead bodies, etc.] are not visible 

Bathrooms

  • Toilet seat and lid down for photographic and feng shui purposes

  • Display fresh towels and minimal accessories

  • Clear off counters

  • Clean Mirror

  • Clear out bathtub/shower or throw everything into the tub and close the curtain

  • Remove personal items (toothbrushes, medications)

Final Check

  • Place all animals in a kennel placed in secure area in a space that will not be photographed

  • Turn off ALL ceiling fans (and dust them!), and hide all the other fans or space heaters

  • Ensure the home is well-lit and inviting

  • Add citrus or cinnamon scented plug-ins to mask any odors and create an inviting atmosphere, kind of like how the fancy hotels have signature scents pumped through the HVAC 

  • If your home has a pool area please clean the pool (or pool cover), remove vacuum robots, hoses, nets, cleaning tools, and inflatables. 

  • Powerwash front, back, and sides of home if visible dirt is altering the true color 

  • People and creatures will need to be out of frame, please remove all personal photos on display throughout the house and always stay behind the camera.

  • Minimize seasonal decor - think “Fall”, not “Halloween”, think “Winter” instead of “Specific Holiday”, you get the idea. 

  • If you have pets, scoop all pet droppings on the property. This is mostly for my benefit, although avoiding poop is part of my employee agility training which I practice daily as an occupational hazard. 

And Finally, this list is a starting point. Not everything on this list has to be perfectly checked off, but please know that the house will be photographed as is once we are on site. Chat, we are here to showcase your home, we are photographers: not movers, cleaners, or stagers. Thank you!