Homebuyers browsing online tend to notice photos first when searching for a home. This highlights the importance of hiring a professional photographer to ensure your listing creates a positive first impression.

Your photos will be viewed by many online consumers, making it crucial for your listing to stand out. To showcase your sale in the best possible way, make sure to plan ahead for professional photography.

Here is a list of ideas and tips on how to help your client get ready for a professional photo shoot.

                                                       Inside the House

General

Declutter

    Ensure to tidy up toys, clothing, dishes, towels, shoes, and more.

    It's far more cost-effective to organize these items before the photo shoot than to incur the expense of a reshoot later.

Depersonalize

    Images of young children and any artwork that may be considered offensive (trust me, I've encountered quite a bit!) should be stored away.

    Seasonal/Holiday Decorations

    These items can quickly outdate your photos, so best to remove them.

Dust & Vacuum

Pet Items

    If pets are present, make sure to remove all food and water bowls, pet beds, and toys.

Other

    Replace all burned out light bulbs.

    Consider decorating the tables with your prettiest place settings.

    Consider putting out vases of fresh flowers.

Kitchen

Kitchen Sink

    Wash the kitchen sink thoroughly and tidy up by putting all the dishes away.

Kitchen Countertops

    Remove all items from the kitchen countertops and store away appliances such as toasters, can openers, and similar items.

Refrigerator

    Remove all magnets and decorations.

Bathrooms

Bathroom Countertops

    Remove all personal items and clear the bathroom countertops completely.

Shower/Tub

    Take out all shampoos, conditioners, body washes, and similar products from the shower.

Other

    Put out the guest towels and hide all the others.

    Put all toilet seats and lids down.

    Hide all trash cans.

Bedrooms

Bedding

    Prepare all the beds, fluff the pillows, and inspect the bed skirts.

Other

    Ensure that all personal belongings are kept out of view.

                              Outside the Home

    Have the lawn trimmed, leaves raked, bushes and trees pruned.

    Clean up after any animal

    Put away all garbage cans, hoses, garden tools, toys, bikes etc.

    Hide any “cute” yard decorations.

    In snowy climates, shovel snow from walkways, driveways, patios, decks when necessary.

    If there is a pool, hot tub, or spa, take any security gate down, uncover, and clean.

    If there will be any twilight photos taken, replace any broken lighting on the home, around the landscape, and in the pool.

    Open the umbrellas on any patio sets.

    When in season, uncover grills.

    Remove any seasonal/holiday decorations.

    Consider adding splashes of bright colored flowers to the landscape and in pots.

           Right before the Photographer arrives

    Turn on ALL interior lights – even lights in furniture cabinets and bedside lamps.

    Turn OFF all ceiling fans.

    Light fireplaces and candles.

    Open all blinds, shades, and curtains.

    Clear all cars and vehicles from the driveway and the street in front of the home.

    Please secure any potentially aggressive animals in a safe location, away from all rooms being photographed.

There’s one more important point I’d like to highlight

I encourage your homeowners to store all valuables in a safe place.

With numerous individuals possibly touring their home, it’s essential that valuables remain out of sight and secure.

Utilizing safe deposit boxes and wall safes can be excellent options for this.