A well-prepared property shoots faster and delivers stronger results. This checklist takes most homeowners 30–45 minutes and makes a visible difference in your final images.
Complete this checklist the morning of your shoot — ideally 30 minutes before your photographer arrives. The more of these boxes you tick, the fewer adjustments we make on-site and the more time we spend shooting. Your final gallery will reflect it.
01
Lighting
Light & Windows
Natural light is the foundation of our work. The goal is maximum daylight with zero artificial mixing — overhead lights and lamps create color casts that affect every image in a room.
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Turn off all overhead lights
Every room — kitchen, bathrooms, hallways, closets. Artificial light mixes with natural light and creates color casts in photos.
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Turn off all lamps & accent lights
Table lamps, floor lamps, under-cabinet lights, strip lighting. All off unless we discuss otherwise in advance.
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Open all window blinds fully
Raise blinds completely, don't just tilt the slats. Every window in every room, including bedrooms and bathrooms.
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Open all curtains & drapes
Pull curtains back as far as they go. If they're decorative, tie them back on both sides to maximize the window frame.
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Turn off ceiling fans
Moving blades create blur in long exposures. Turn off all fans and leave them stationary.
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Turn off TVs & monitors
Screens left on create glare, blue cast, and visual noise in the frame.
Pro Tip
We shoot using natural light as the primary source. Even a single lamp left on can require re-shooting an entire room. When in doubt, turn it off — we'll tell you if we want something on.
02
Declutter
Remove the Noise
Everyday items that you don't notice in person show up clearly in photos. Branded products, chargers, and clutter compete visually with the space itself. The cleaner the surfaces, the more the property stands out.
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Remove all branded product packaging
Hand soap, dish soap, shampoo, conditioner, body wash — swap to clean refillable containers or remove entirely. Brand logos are distracting in hospitality photography.
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Remove paper towel rolls & tissue boxes
Take them off counters and visible surfaces. A simple linen or rolled hand towel photographs much better.
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Clear all remotes off surfaces
TV remotes, A/C remotes, fan remotes — stash them in a drawer or cabinet for the shoot.
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Remove phone & device chargers
Wall chargers, cables, and power strips are some of the most common distractors in real estate photography.
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Clear kitchen countertops
Remove appliances not meant to be featured (coffee maker, toaster, blender). Keep a minimal vignette if desired — a bowl of fruit, a cutting board, simple glassware.
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Clear bathroom countertops
Toothbrushes, razors, toiletries, medications — all off the counter and out of sight. Leave only intentional styling items.
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Remove magnets & papers from the fridge
Notes, menus, photos, coupons — clear the fridge face completely if the kitchen will be photographed.
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Stow personal photos & mail
For STR and listing photography, personal items including framed photos and stacked mail can distract from the space.
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Remove trash cans from view
Kitchen, bathroom, and office waste bins — move to a closet or out of frame for the shoot.
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Hide pet items
Bowls, beds, toys, litter boxes — store them out of sight for the duration of the shoot.
Pro Tip
A simple test: walk through each room and ask "would I see this in a magazine?" If no, remove it. It takes less than a minute to clear a counter and it saves editing time for both of us.
03
Interiors
Room by Room
Each space has its own prep needs. Walk through your property room by room using these as your guide.
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Beds fully made with clean linens
Smooth all wrinkles, fluff all pillows, fold or tuck the comforter neatly. This is one of the highest-impact prep steps.
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Bedroom nightstands cleared
Remove reading glasses, books, water bottles, medications. A lamp and possibly one small decorative item is ideal.
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Closet and bedroom doors — choose open or closed
Decide in advance: walk-in closets worth showing should be tidy and open; cluttered closets stay closed.
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Toilet lids down in all bathrooms
A small detail that makes a consistent difference across every bathroom shot.
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Fresh towels folded or hung neatly
Spa-style fold or a simple straight hang. White or neutral towels photograph best. Remove used towels entirely.
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Shower curtains closed or fully open
If the shower tile is worth showing, pull the curtain fully to one side. If not, close it completely — no half-open curtains.
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Living room styled, not staged
Fluff cushions, straighten throw blankets, remove anything sitting on the floor that doesn't belong there. Coffee table should be minimal.
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Dining table set or completely clear
Either a clean, styled table setting or a completely bare table — avoid partially set or cluttered in-between looks.
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Floors clear and vacuumed
Shoes, bags, and stray items off all floors. Vacuum or sweep visible rugs and hardwood just before the shoot.
Pro Tip
Less is almost always more. A sparse, clean room photographs larger and more luxurious than a fully furnished one. When in doubt, remove the item — it's easier to add back than to edit out.
04
Exterior
Curb Appeal & Outdoor Spaces
The exterior is the first image most viewers see. Vehicles, hoses, and yard clutter can all be edited out — but it adds cost and time. A quick walkthrough of the exterior saves both.
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Move all vehicles off the property
Driveway, street in front, and any visible side areas. Vehicles in frame significantly reduce the perceived value of exterior shots.
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Coil and hide garden hoses
Roll them neatly and move out of sight, or store in a shed or behind the structure.
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Clear trash and recycling bins
Move bins to the side of the house or inside a garage if possible.
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Pool and spa — clean surface, remove toys
Skim the surface before the shoot. Remove floaties, pool noodles, and toys. Pool lights off unless a dusk shoot was arranged.
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Patio furniture wiped down and arranged
Wipe dusty surfaces (desert dust is real). Arrange chairs symmetrically or intentionally — don't leave them pushed in from last use.
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Outdoor pillows and cushions in place
Outdoor cushions and throw pillows that are stored inside should be brought out and arranged before the photographer arrives.
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Garage doors closed
Unless the garage is a selling feature, keep doors closed for all exterior shots.
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Sweep walkways and entry
Blow or sweep the front entry, driveway, and back patio. Desert dust and debris accumulates fast and shows clearly in wide shots.
Pro Tip
For drone packages, the aerial perspective reveals everything — neighboring structures, utility boxes, yard equipment, rooftop A/C units. Take a quick look from Google Maps satellite view to anticipate what will be visible from above and prep accordingly.
05
Day of Shoot
Access & Entry
Getting into the property quickly means more time shooting. Please provide all access information at least 24 hours before your scheduled shoot time.
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Key or Lockbox
If using a lockbox, provide the code in your booking notes. If leaving a key, let us know where it will be and confirm access before the shoot morning.
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Gate Codes
Gated community entry codes, HOA gate codes, front door keypads — include all access codes in your booking confirmation notes.
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Smart Locks
If your property uses a smart lock app (Schlage, August, Yale, etc.), set a temporary access code before the shoot and include it in your notes. Do not share your permanent code.
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Pets on Property
Please arrange for pets to be off-property or secured in a room not being photographed during the shoot.
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Guests or Tenants
If the property is occupied at shoot time, please notify all occupants in advance. An empty property is strongly preferred for the best results.
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Parking
Let us know where to park. Keep the driveway clear — your photographer will need to move around the front of the property for exterior shots.
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Access info provided in booking notes
Lockbox code, keypad code, gate code — all confirmed and up to date.
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Property will be unoccupied during shoot
Or occupants have been notified and will stay out of frame.
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Phone reachable morning of shoot
In case of any last-minute questions from your photographer on arrival.
Important
Your photographer will arrive at the scheduled time and cannot wait more than 15 minutes for access. If access cannot be provided, the shoot may need to be rescheduled and a reschedule fee may apply. Please confirm all access details the evening before.
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