FINE SCENE PRODUCTIONS
Seller Photo Prep Guide
What Top Agents Send Before Every Professional Shoot
Professional photography transforms listings, but preparation makes all the difference. This checklist ensures your property photographs beautifully and attracts serious buyers from the first click.
48 Hours Before the Shoot
- Deep clean all rooms, paying special attention to windows, floors, and surfaces
- Remove all personal photos, religious items, and political materials
- Clear kitchen countertops completely (only leave 1-2 decorative items maximum)
- Remove visible cords, chargers, and electronics when possible
- Hide trash cans, pet bowls, litter boxes, and pet toys
- Remove refrigerator magnets, notes, and children's artwork
- Clear bathroom counters of all toiletries and personal items
- Make all beds with fresh, neutral bedding
Day of the Shoot
- Turn on all lights in every room (even during daytime shoots)
- Open all curtains and blinds to maximize natural light
- Turn off all ceiling fans
- Close toilet lids in all bathrooms
- Remove vehicles from driveway and garage (if possible)
- Fluff pillows and straighten furniture
- Add fresh flowers or greenery to main living areas
- Set dining table with simple, elegant place settings
- Adjust thermostat to a comfortable temperature
- Ensure all light bulbs are working and match in color temperature
Pro Tip: The 5-Minute Walk-Through
Before the photographer arrives, walk through your home as if you're a buyer seeing it for the first time. Look up (light fixtures clean?), look down (floors spotless?), and scan counters (completely clear?). The camera sees everything your eye might miss.
Room-by-Room Checklist
✓ Living Room: Fluffed pillows, symmetrical arrangement
✓ Kitchen: Counters clear, sink empty and dry
✓ Bedrooms: Beds made, closets organized
✓ Bathrooms: Towels fresh, toilet paper straight
✓ Outdoor: Lawn mowed, patio furniture clean
✓ Garage: Swept, organized, cars removed
What to Avoid
- Leaving dishes in the sink or dishwasher racks visible
- Personal hygiene products anywhere in view
- Busy or bold patterned bedding, towels, or throw pillows
- Cluttered bookshelves or mantels
- Seasonal decorations (keep it neutral year-round)
- Strong air fresheners or candles during the shoot
Remember: Less is More
The goal is to help buyers envision themselves in the space. Every personal item removed is one less distraction from the home's best features. Think hotel-elegant, not lived-in cozy.