Preparing for Photographs

Your listing photos are the first thing most buyers will see. These simple steps will help showcase the features of your home and attract more qualified buyers. A little preparation on picture day goes a long way.

Exterior

• Move all cars out of the driveway and down the street so they will not be captured in any photos.
• Close garage doors.
• Move or put away garden hoses and tuck trash and recycle bins out of sight.
• Remove any empty flowerpots and consider adding fresh flowers.
• Clean the swimming pool if applicable.
• Mow the yard, bag leaves, and trim bushes and trees — especially if they obstruct the house.
• Do not schedule workmen, landscaping crews, or maintenance to be present on picture day.
• Pick up newspapers from the driveway and walkways.

Interior

• Make beds and wash or put away dishes — do not leave them in the sink or drying rack.
• Pick up any clothes on the floor and put away robes, slippers, etc.
• Clear kitchen counters — remove extra cookbooks, bowls, and small appliances. Counters should have almost nothing on them.
• Pick up toys, piles of magazines, and other clutter throughout the house.
• Check bathroom counters and put away lotions, shampoo, electric toothbrushes, and bath toys.
• Ensure all pets are out of the house and food dishes and pet beds are put away.
• Put away mail, magazines, and newspapers so nothing is on a counter or table.
• Stow media remote controls out of sight.
• If the study or home office will be photographed, remove or neatly stack all paperwork.

Why Professional Photos Matter

According to the National Association of REALTORS, the vast majority of home buyers start their search online. That means your listing photos are not just part of the marketing — they are the marketing. A buyer scrolling through listings will spend only a few seconds on each one before deciding whether to click for more details or move on. High-quality photography grabs their attention and draws them in. Poor photos push them away, regardless of how nice the home actually is.

I coordinate professional photography for every listing I represent. My photographer uses wide-angle lenses, professional lighting, and careful composition to make your home look its best. But the photos can only capture what is there — and that is where your preparation comes in. The checklist above covers the most common issues that affect photo quality, but the general principle is simple: clean, clear, and well-lit wins every time.

Lighting deserves special attention. Open every blind and curtain to let in natural light. Turn on all interior lights, including under-cabinet lighting, closet lights, and bathroom vanity lights. Replace any burned-out bulbs with soft white LEDs of the same color temperature. Mismatched lighting — some yellow, some white — creates an inconsistent look in photos that buyers notice immediately.

For outdoor photos, timing matters. Most real estate photographers shoot exterior photos during the golden hour — early morning or late afternoon — when the light is warm and shadows are soft. Make sure your exterior preparation is complete well before the scheduled shoot so nothing is rushed. If you have a pool or water feature, confirm that it is clean and functioning the night before.

One detail many sellers overlook is the ceiling fan setting. Ceiling fans should be turned off during photography. The blades create a blur in photos and can look messy. The same applies to television screens — turn them off so they do not create a distracting glow or reflection in the images.

Finally, think about fresh touches that photograph well. A bowl of fresh fruit on the kitchen counter, a simple floral arrangement on the dining table, or neatly folded towels in the bathroom can add warmth and polish to your listing photos without looking staged or artificial.