Prep Guide
Property Photography Prep Guide
A practical checklist to get any property camera-ready.
Preparation is the difference between a good shoot and a great one. Share this page with sellers, homeowners, tenants, Airbnb hosts, or site superintendents a few days before the appointment — it covers the interior room by room, the exterior and pool, and the extra steps that matter for video and 3D tours.
Quick version
The five things that matter most
If time is short, do these first.
All lights on, bulbs replaced
Blinds open and evenly set
Counters and surfaces cleared
Vehicles moved, bins hidden
Pets and pet gear out of frame
Room by room
The full checklist
Work through the areas that apply to your property. Not every item applies to every home.
Whole-home basics
- Turn on every interior light, including lamps, under-cabinet lighting, and closet lights
- Replace burned-out bulbs and, where possible, match bulb color in each room
- Open blinds and shades evenly — set to the same height and angle throughout
- Turn off ceiling fans and TVs
- Remove floor mats, throw rugs that curl, and doorway clutter
- Tidy cords, chargers, remotes, and power strips out of view
- Empty and put away trash cans, laundry baskets, and cleaning supplies
- Vacuum and freshen carpet lines; wipe down glass, mirrors, and stainless surfaces
- Tuck away seasonal decor unless the listing is intentionally seasonal
Kitchen
- Clear countertops down to one or two intentional items
- Remove magnets, notes, calendars, and photos from the refrigerator
- Hide dish soap, sponges, drying racks, and paper towel holders
- Put away small appliances, knife blocks, and pet bowls
- Center bar stools evenly and align cabinet hardware
- Wipe down the sink and stainless appliances to reduce fingerprints
Bathrooms
- Clear counters completely — toothbrushes, soaps, and products out of sight
- Hang fresh, matching towels or remove towels entirely
- Close toilet lids and remove plungers, scales, and trash cans
- Remove shampoo bottles and shower caddies from tubs and showers
- Clean mirrors and glass shower doors
Bedrooms
- Make beds crisply with clean, wrinkle-free linens
- Clear nightstands to a lamp and one small item
- Remove personal photos where you would like privacy
- Close closet doors, or tidy closets if they will be shown in a 3D tour
- Put away laundry, shoes, and under-bed storage that is visible
Living and dining
- Straighten cushions, throws, and pillows
- Clear coffee tables to a simple arrangement
- Set the dining table simply, or leave it clean and empty
- Remove kids' toys, exercise equipment, and pet furniture
- Angle furniture to open up walkways and sightlines
Exterior, yard, and pool
- Move all vehicles out of the driveway and away from the front of the home
- Roll trash and recycling bins out of sight
- Mow, edge, and clear leaves, branches, and pet waste
- Coil and hide hoses; put away lawn tools and sprinklers
- Straighten patio furniture and cushions; remove covers
- Clean the pool, skim the surface, and remove floats, vacuums, and hoses
- Sweep porches, walkways, and decks; wipe down exterior glass
- Remove yard signs where possible and tidy the mailbox area
- Turn on landscape and porch lighting for twilight or dusk coverage
Video and 3D tour extras
- Prep every room, including secondary bedrooms, laundry, garage, and closets
- Clear entryways and hallways so the camera path stays clean
- Decide in advance which interior doors should be open or closed
- Plan for people and pets to stay out of the space during capture
- Silence sound sources — TVs, music, and appliances that run loudly
Vacant, tenant-occupied, and construction sites
- Vacant: sweep floors, remove paint cans, wipe windows, and confirm power is on
- Vacant: consider virtual staging so buyers can judge scale and furniture placement
- Tenant-occupied: give occupants the checklist and adequate notice
- Tenant-occupied: agree in advance on which personal items will be put away
- Construction: clear materials, pallets, and portable toilets from key sightlines where safe
- Construction: confirm site access, safety requirements, and any restricted zones
Day of the shoot
A ten-minute final pass
Right before the appointment, walk the property once with fresh eyes.
- Turn every light back on — including ones switched off overnight
- Do a last sweep for dishes, towels, and trash
- Move any vehicles that returned to the driveway
- Confirm gate codes, lockbox access, and alarm instructions still work
- Contain pets and remove bowls, beds, and toys
- Plan to step outside or into a finished area during capture
Keep going
Related resources
Everything else you might need before booking.
Book the shoot
Services this guide prepares you for
Real Estate Photography
Professional HDR listing photography that helps properties stand out online.
Real Estate Video Walkthroughs
Cinematic property tours that carry buyers through the home in the right order.
Zillow 3D Tours & Interactive Floor Plans
Interactive 3D tours with a linked floor plan so buyers can explore from anywhere.
Virtual Staging
Realistic digital furnishing that helps buyers picture living in an empty room.
Frequently asked questions
Prep questions, answered
How long does prep take?
For a well-kept home, an hour or two the evening before plus a quick pass the morning of is usually enough. Vacant, tenant-occupied, or heavily furnished properties benefit from starting a few days ahead.
Does the photographer move furniture?
Light adjustments such as nudging a chair or removing a small item from a counter are normal. Full staging, deep cleaning, and moving large furniture are best handled before the appointment.
Should lights be on or off?
Turn all interior lights on and replace burned-out bulbs beforehand. Matching bulb color throughout a room makes editing cleaner and the final images more consistent.
What about pets?
Pets, crates, bowls, beds, and litter boxes should be out of frame. Arrange for pets to be off site or contained in an area that is not being photographed, and note pets on site when booking.
Do I need to prep differently for video or a 3D tour?
Yes, a little. Video and 3D capture the whole space continuously, so clutter cannot be hidden just outside the frame — closets, corners, and pass-through spaces all matter, and doors should be set the way you want them.
What if the property is not fully ready?
Let us know in the access notes at booking. We will work with the property as it is, but preparation has a direct effect on how many usable images come out of the shoot.
Ready to get started?
Property prepped? Book the shoot
Pick your services and appointment window online, and add gate codes, lockbox details, and any special requests in the notes field.