PREPARING YOUR PROPERTY FOR A PROFESSIONAL SHOOT !


General Guidelines:

The photo-shoot should take no more than 2 hour for small property (a house bigger than 3,000 sq ft may take more time). We will be photographing both the inside and outside of your property including all major rooms. You have a direct impact on how well your property will look in the photos by following these guidelines.

This also available for download here via Dropbox link:


Exterior area:

  • Replace any burned out light bulbs in fixtures and lamps.
  • Remove all vehicles from driveways.
  • Move garbage cans out of sight.
  • Remove all the clutter such as cans, garden tools, pool toys, etc
  • Clean the driveways, sidewalks and patios
  • Prepare the lawn by trimming the grass, taking out dead plants and watering the plants.
  • If you have a pool, remove the pool sweep, pool cleaning equipment and any pool toys.


Interior Area:

  • Replace all burned out light bulbs
  • Turn on all interior lights and keep them on during the shooting session
  • Turn ceiling fans and televisions off.
  • Remove all the exposed items such as cables, newspapers, kid toys, personal photos, religion symbols, etc
  • Dust and vacuum all the rooms
  • Don’t leave any dirty dishes in the sink
  • Move all the trash cans
  • Clear off the countertops – toothbrushes, shavers, soap dishes, tissue & lotion dispensers, makeup mirrors, etc.
  • Windows, glass doors and mirrors should be cleaned
  • Open the blinds, shades and curtains if there have good views of the neighbourhood
  • Fresh flowers can be used to decorate some rooms and fresh fruits to stage the kitchen
  • Please make sure pets are contained, their food cans and litter boxes away from the view while photographs are being made
  • Throw rugs and runners in entryways, kitchens, and bathrooms should be removed.


Some additional tips for:


The Home Exterior:

  • Mow and rake yard Sweep driveways, sidewalks and patios.
  • Clean grease stains from driveway.
  • Clear back yard of pet waste.


The Living & Family Room:

  • Remove piles of newspaper and magazines.
  • Hide all TV/Stereo remotes.
  • Conceal all exposed cables as best possible.
  • Remove clutter, personal photos, etc. from bookshelves, tables and cabinets.
  • Tuck trash cans out of view in a closet or cupboard


The Bedrooms:

  • Make all beds and tidy bedrooms.
  • Clothes hung or folded and put away.
  • Remove items from bedside tables – books, magazines, pictures, clock radios, etc.
  • Plug in and turn nightstand lights ON


The Kitchen:

  • Clear off counter tops and remove any appliances, i.e. toasters, coffee pots, knife blocks.
  • Remove photos, notes and papers from the refrigerator.
  • Clean the major appliances – refrigerator, oven, range hood, and wipe down all countertops.


The Dining Room:

  • Set the table with your best China and dinnerware. (Optional)
  • Add a colourful centrepiece such as candles or flowers.
  • Remove child seats/booster chairs


The Bathrooms:

  • Remove shampoo and other products from the shower/tub area.
  • All toilet seats should be down and the lid closed.
  • Mirrors should be clean.


The Final Touches:

  • Contain pets in the garage or out of sight.
  • Place all shoes/jackets in closets
You can also download the home preparing checklist here.