How to Prepare Your Home for a Professional Photo Shoot

First impressions are everything—especially in real estate and architectural photography. High-quality imagery attracts more buyers, raises property values, and helps listings sell faster. To help you get the best possible results from your shoot, here is a quick checklist to ensure every room looks its absolute best before your photographer arrives. General Housewide Prep Turn on all lights: Switch on every interior overhead light and lamp to warm up the space. Replace any burnt-out bulbs with matching color temperatures. Turn off ceiling fans: Moving fan blades blur in long exposure photos and obscure ceiling details. Clear floor clutter: Hide shoes, dog beds, toys, and power cords behind furniture or inside closets. Open blinds and curtains: Let in as much natural daylight as possible. Ensure window blinds are angled uniformly across each room. Clean glass and reflective surfaces: Wipe down windows, mirrors, and glass tabletops to prevent smudges from showing up in high-resolution shots. Kitchen & Dining Area Clear the countertops: Remove dish drying racks, sponges, knife blocks, paper towels, and appliances (boiling kettles, toasters). Hide refrigerator magnets: Clear off all cards, photos, and magnets from the fridge doors. Style the dining table: Set a clean vase with fresh flowers or a simple decorative bowl as a centerpiece. Align all dining chairs neatly. Tuck away trash cans: Store kitchen trash bins out of sight inside a pantry or cabinet. Living & Family Rooms Fluff and arrange pillows: Smooth out sofa cushions and arrange accent pillows neatly. Hide media cables: Tuck TV wires, gaming consoles, and remote controls away. Remove personal photos: Temporarily store framed family portraits so prospective buyers can imagine themselves in the space. Bedrooms & Bathrooms Make the beds: Use freshly pressed linens, pull bedsheets taut, and arrange decorative pillows evenly. Clear bathroom vanities: Remove toothbrushes, soaps, cosmetics, and prescription bottles. Put down toilet lids: Always keep all toilet seats and lids completely down. Hang clean towels: Display freshly folded, neutral-colored towels on racks and hide used bathrobes or bath mats. Exterior & Curb Appeal Clear the driveway: Park all vehicles inside the garage or down the street away from the front of the home. Tidy up the yard: Mow the lawn, rake leaves, hide garden hoses, and stow trash bins around the side or inside the garage. Uncover patio furniture: Clean outdoor tables, arrange seat cushions, and open patio umbrellas. Final Walkthrough Before the Shoot Giving your home a quick 10-minute sweep right before your photographer arrives ensures every angle looks polished, spacious, and inviting. Pro Tip: If you have pets, it's best to secure them in a crate or take them for a walk during the shoot so the photographer can move freely between rooms!