How to Prepare Your Home for a Real Estate Photo Shoot

Great photos can make (or break) your listing. Here’s a practical, no-nonsense checklist to get your home camera-ready for stills, video, and drone shots.

1) Pick the right day

• Check the weather. Avoid rain, snow, and high winds. Overcast (no harsh shadows) is great.

• Avoid trash day. Street cans ruin curb appeal in wide and drone shots.

2) Lighting = everything

• Every bulb working, every light on. Include oven and cooktop lights.

• Raise blinds / open drapes before the team arrives. Don’t leave this to the photographer.

3) What the photographer will not do

• They won’t move furniture, chase neighbors to move cars, or tidy your rooms.Do this ahead of time:

  • Clear the driveway and curb. If needed, politely ask neighbors to relocate cars.

  • Have remotes ready: ceiling fans (off for photos, on for video), TVs, and the fireplace key—and make sure they work.

4) Neutral, distraction-free exterior

• Remove all flags (any kind) and bright security yard signs for photos.

• Curb appeal tune-up: Brown mulch photographs best; pull weeds; mow; remove dead plants (better none than scraggly).

• Coil or store hoses. Tidy pool equipment out of sight.

5) Protect privacy

• Remove family photos, visible last names, and kids’ name letters from bedrooms.

6) Tell the story outdoors

• Umbrellas up (clean if needed).

• Uncover and shine the grill.

• Make the yard look “use-ready,” not stored away.

7) Kids & pets

• Put away toys, bright play items, dog bowls/leashes—and pick up pet waste.

• Plan for pets to be off-site (or secured). You should leave during the shoot, too.

8) Kitchen: less is more

• Clear all counters. No paper towel holders, dish towels, knife blocks, coffee makers, air fryers, microwaves on counters, etc.

• Empty the sink. No dishes, drying racks, or sponges.

9) Bathrooms: hotel clean

• Nothing visible in showers: no bottles, squeegees, or loofahs.

• Clear counters of toiletries and tissues.

• Remove bath scales.

• Use matching, neutral towels (white is ideal).

10) Bedrooms & common areas

• Beds made with duvet covers or a neat coverlet.

• Nightstands clear (alarm clocks and personal items put away).

• Fold or remove throws; no tissue boxes as “decor.”

11) Floors, dusting, windows

• Vacuum carpets; mop hard surfaces.

• Dust fans, lampshades, and furniture tops.

• Clean windows inside and out for crisp, bright images.

12) Hide cords

• Tuck lamp cords and remove visible phone chargers.

13) Holidays & themes

• Remove holiday décor before photos. It dates the listing and adds clutter.

Why all this matters

Nearly all buyers start online. Clean, bright, distraction-free images make spaces feel larger, newer, and more appealing—and get more showings. Put in the prep and your photos will do the heavy lifting.