Prepare Your Home For Photography

This is a list of things to do before the photographer comes out to your home to make sure your house looks it’s best. It is best practice to have this done before the photographer comes out so they are not waiting for you to do this while they are there. 

Home Sale Photography Prep Checklist

Exterior

  • Remove cars from driveway
  • Sweep walkways
  • Pick up debris in yard
  • Put toys and bicycles away
  • Store seasonal decor
  • Stow garden tools and supplies
  • Remove all hoses
  • Straighten and arrange deck furniture
  • Clean pool area

Kitchen

  • Remove magnets and papers from refrigerator
  • Store food in cabinets
  • Declutter countertops
  • Stow small appliances
  • Hide cleaning supplies
  • Clear dishes from sink
  • Put away draining rack
  • Organize items on open shelves
  • Place bowl of fruit on counter

Dining Room

  • Straighten chairs
  • Add centerpiece to table, candles etc..
  • Set the table for dinner

Main Areas

  • Remove personal items and photos
  • Remove all visible clutter
  • Open shades and blinds
  • Turn on all lights
  • Replace any burned out bulbs
  • Put away all children’s toys
  • Empty waste baskets
  • Hide pet dishes/toys/beds
  • Vacuum carpets
  • Sweep floors
  • Remove mail and newspapers
  • Turn off television
  • Remove pets

Bedrooms

  • Make the beds
  • Arrange decorative pillows
  • Put away clothes and shoes
  • Make sure nothing visible from under bed
  • Clean clutter on dressers
  • Put away personal items

Bathrooms

  • Hang fresh towels
  • Clear toiletries from countertops
  • Clean mirrors
  • Clean toilet and close lid
  • Remove all items from shower/tub
  • Open shower curtains
  • Make it sparkle

Download the checklist here real-estate-photography-checklist

When you prepare as much of this as possible before the photographer arrives it will make for a much better photography session, resulting in better photographs and ultimately result in a higher priced sale of the listing. If you have any questions please call us for a free consultation. Call us at 630-478-9955. Thank you and we look forward to photographing your real estate listing.

real estate photography
Based in Oak Brook, IL and serving All of the Chicagoland city and suburbs
Areas we serve; Chicago, Oak Brook, Oakbrook Terrace, Lombard, Naperville, Glen Ellyn, Wheaton, Woodridge, Geneva, St. Charles,  Burr Ridge, Hinsdale, Western Springs, Elmhurst, Park Ridge, Evanston, Highland Park, Addison, Bloomingdale, Roselle, Westchester, Westmont, Darien Downers grove, Lemont, Bolingbrook, Orland Park, Tinley Park, Mokena, Plainfield, Aurora, Oswego, Yorkville, Arlington Heights, Buffalo Grove, Crystal Lake, Indian Head Park, La Grange, Vernon Hills, Lisle, Glencoe, Northbrook, Willowbrook, Libertyville, Winnetka, Hoffman Estates, Lincolnshire, Lake Forest, Inverness, Kildeer, Northfield, Palatine, Hawthorne Woods, Barrington, Barrington Hills, Riverside, North Riverside, Lake Zurich, Warrenville, Skokie, Munster, Morton Grove, Beverly Shores, Western Michigan, NE Indiana, Brookfield, Mundelein, Batavia, Fox River Grove, Grays Lake, Rolling Meadows, Carol Stream, Villa Park, Des Plaines, Itasca, Niles, Elgin, South Elgin, Bartlett, New Lenox, Palos Hills, Palos Park, Palos Heights, North Aurora, Lockport, Joliet, Oak Lawn, Minooka, Huntley, Montgomery, Shorewood, Suger Grove, Wood Dale, Norridge, Elburn, Elmwood Park, Franklin Park, Schiller Park, Maywood, Bellwood, Stone Park, West Chicago, Romeoville, Berwyn