Prepare your home for real estate photos

The Ultimate Guide:

How to prepare your home for Real Estate Photos

Hello, I’m Craig! I’m the owner and lead photographer at illini360 Media. I created this guide to help you prepare your home for the big day: Your Photo Shoot!

Get the most out of your real estate photography experience with our Ultimate Guide: How to Prep Your Home for Real Estate Photos

Our easy-to-follow instructions guide you through everything you need to do in order to ensure your space looks its best for pictures, so you can make sure your home looks even better than before.

By using this checklist as a guide, you can feel confident that everything is in order & ready to go once the photographer arrives. We look forward to capturing your home!

FREE Printable Guide below

Day of Shoot Reminders

At your set appointment time, please have your home ready for pictures. Due to back-to-back appointments, we must reschedule if the house is not ready.
We are unable to take pictures of homes while homeowners are moving items in & out of rooms.
Please consider running an errand, taking a walk, or going outside during your appointment. This will help the photographer capture the best shots, from the best angles without distractions.

Exterior

Pull weeds
Trim trees and overgrown shrubs
Rake up the leaves
Mow the lawn and edge
Put away garden hoses
Pick up any items that may be laying around the yard
Cover dirt with mulch to make it look more attractive
Move cars out of the driveway
Sweep the porch and sidewalks
If you have outdoor furniture, wipe it down & make sure that the cushions look clean

Living Room

Remove any magazines
If bookshelves are in the room, organize and/or arrange the books in a nice pattern
Fluff pillows, fold throws and arrange neatly
Hide shoes, remotes, and any visable clutter

Kitchen

Clear the counters
Hide the soaps, sponges and rags
Get rid of extra small appliances that are sitting around, as well as stacks of paper or dishes that may be placed at the end of the counter
Clear the school notices, crayon drawings, and magnets off of the fridge

Family Room

Make sure to pick up any clutter and rearrange furniture to suit aesthetics versus use
It is a good idea to pay attention to the way the electronic cords are arranged, and try to move them to a place so that they are out of sight
Fluff pillows, fold throws and arrange neatly

Dining Room

Make sure the dining table is wiped down and the chairs are arranged neatly
You might consider adding a nice centerpiece on the table, such as bowl of fresh fruit or a floral arrangement.
Don’t leave any leftover plates, waterbottles or dishes on the table
Wipe the table, sweep the floor, and mop the floor to remove any marks

Bedrooms

These rooms can attract a lot of clutter and personality
Try to store away anything “loud” and put away sensitive personal items
Remove box fans & standup fans
You want the bed to look beautiful and inviting. Use a nice bedspread and big, fluffy pillows that are neatly arranged at the head of the bed
If anything is sitting on the nightstand, organize it or remove

Bathrooms

Besides matching towels and/or shower curtain, EVERYTHING should be put away
In the shower and tub, remove the shampoo, soaps, washcloths, and baby toys
The garbage cans, bathmats, laundry baskets, extra toilet paper, the toilet brush, and scales should also be moved out of the room
Finish it off by closing the toilet, and hang fresh towels on the towel rails