A great listing shoot starts before I arrive. The homes that photograph best are the ones where the agent and seller did the prep. Skipped prep shows in every frame.
This checklist covers everything to do before shoot day. Send it to your sellers. Go over it together the day before.
Exterior Prep
- Move every car out of the driveway and away from the front of the house
- Put away trash cans, recycling bins, garden hoses and any tools stored outside
- Mow and edge the lawn within 48 hours of the shoot
- Trim shrubs or hedges that hang over walkways or block the front of the house
- Clean the pool and pull out floating toys, noodles and cleaning equipment
- Clear marks, stains and debris from the driveway. Power wash it if needed.
- Waterfront homes: tidy the dock and put away personal items and loose rope
Interior Prep
- Depersonalize the main living areas. Put away family photos, collections and fridge magnets.
- Take out extra furniture. A crowded room photographs smaller.
- Clear the kitchen counters. Leave one or two items at most.
- Put away toasters, knife blocks, paper towel holders, dish racks and mail
- Make every bed with the best bedding in the house
- Replace burned-out bulbs. Warm bulbs (2700K to 3000K) photograph best.
- Clean every mirror, shower door and glass surface
- Clear bath products out of showers and tubs. Leave one or two clean, folded towels.
- Close every toilet lid
Lighting Prep
- Open every blind and curtain to let in daylight
- Turn on every light in the house before I arrive
- That includes under-cabinet lights, closet lights and decorative fixtures
- If the house has smart lighting, set the brightest scene and leave me a note
Final Walkthrough
Do one last walkthrough 30 minutes before the shoot. Use fresh eyes. Walk every room the way a buyer would and look for anything that doesn't belong.
Check the bathrooms again. Check the counters. Check the garage if it's in the shoot, plus the back patio and the pool.
That half hour shows in every photo.
A Note on Timing
Leave time for last-minute prep. For a 9am shoot, sellers should be done by 8:30.
In South Florida, east-facing fronts usually get the best light in the morning, and west-facing and pool-facing homes look best late in the afternoon. Tell me which way the house faces when you book. I'll pick the best exterior time.
A prepared house photographs better. Sellers who follow this list get more out of the shoot, because the house is ready when I walk in.
"He thoughtfully considers angles, lighting, depth, and composition to capture every space in its best light. The photos were sharp, vibrant, and beautifully edited, making the property stand out immediately."
Shalida Smith, Facebook reviewI shoot for agents and brokerages across Palm Beach, Broward and Miami-Dade. Book your next listing shoot. I'll answer any prep questions before shoot day.
For Boca Raton listings, here's what a shoot includes. Prices are on the pricing page. For a full breakdown, see what real estate photography costs in Boca Raton.