How to Prepare a Property for a Listing Photoshoot: Agent and Client Checklists

Professional real estate photography is one of the most important steps in preparing a property for the market. Buyers often form their first impression online, so clean rooms, uncluttered spaces, attractive lighting, and a well-maintained exterior can significantly improve how a listing is presented.

Preparing a home before the photographer arrives also helps the photoshoot stay on schedule and allows the photographer to focus on creating strong images instead of moving personal belongings or rearranging rooms. The following checklists explain what real estate agents, homeowners, tenants, property managers, and other clients should do before a listing photoshoot.

Why Photoshoot Preparation Matters

A property does not have to be professionally staged to photograph well. However, it should be clean, organized, bright, and free from unnecessary distractions.

Cameras capture more detail than many people expect. Items that seem minor in person—such as countertop appliances, visible cords, overflowing trash cans, crooked blinds, or personal toiletries—can become noticeable in listing photographs.

Proper preparation helps:

• Present rooms as larger, cleaner, and more inviting

• Direct attention toward the property’s best features

• Create a consistent visual presentation throughout the listing

• Reduce delays during the appointment

• Minimize the need for additional editing or reshoots

• Help the property make a stronger first impression online

Checklist for Real Estate Agents

The agent should communicate expectations to the homeowner or property contact well before the scheduled appointment.

Before Scheduling the Photoshoot

☐ Confirm that the property will be photo-ready on the appointment date.

☐ Verify that cleaning, repairs, landscaping, and staging will be completed before the photographer arrives.

☐ Determine which services are needed, such as:

• HDR listing photography

• Aerial drone photography

• Zillow 3D Home Tour

• Floor plans

• Property video

• Digital or real twilight photography

• Community and amenity photography

• Virtual staging

☐ Provide the photographer with the complete property address and accurate square footage.

☐ Identify any access instructions, gate codes, lockbox information, parking restrictions, or community rules.

☐ Inform the photographer about pets, tenants, construction activity, restricted areas, or special access requirements.

☐ Confirm whether the homeowner, tenant, agent, or property manager will be present.

☐ Ask the owner whether there are specific property features that should be highlighted.

Communicating With the Client

☐ Send the preparation checklist several days before the appointment.

☐ Explain that the property should be fully prepared before the scheduled start time.

☐ Remind the client that the photographer may not have time to clean, organize, stage rooms, or move numerous belongings.

☐ Encourage the client to remove personal photographs, medications, financial documents, valuables, and other sensitive information.

☐ Confirm that pets will be secured or removed from the property.

☐ Remind the client that people should not appear in listing photographs, reflective surfaces, windows, or mirrors.

☐ Explain that vehicles should be moved away from the front of the home when possible.

Information to Give the Photographer

☐ Provide a list of important upgrades and selling features.

☐ Identify rooms or structures that should be photographed.

☐ Point out features that may not be immediately visible, including:

• Recent renovations

• Built-in storage

• Water views

• Smart-home equipment

• Energy-efficient features

• Workshops or detached buildings

• Community amenities

• Outdoor entertaining areas

• Specialty architectural details

☐ Notify the photographer of any areas that should not be photographed.

☐ Provide community access information when amenity photography is requested.

Whole-Home Preparation Checklist for Clients

The home should be cleaned and prepared before the photographer arrives. Complete the following tasks throughout the property.

☐ Complete all cleaning before the appointment.

☐ Open curtains and blinds to allow natural light into the home.

☐ Make sure blinds and window treatments are straight and positioned consistently.

☐ Replace burned-out light bulbs.

☐ Use bulbs with similar color temperatures whenever possible.

☐ Turn on all interior lights, lamps, and accent lighting.

☐ Turn off ceiling fans so the blades are not moving during photographs.

☐ Remove unnecessary furniture, boxes, toys, and personal belongings.

☐ Hide visible electrical cords and charging cables when practical.

☐ Remove pet beds, food bowls, litter boxes, cages, and pet toys.

☐ Remove trash cans or place them out of sight.

☐ Vacuum carpets and rugs.

☐ Sweep and mop hard floors.

☐ Clean windows, mirrors, glass doors, and reflective surfaces.

☐ Dust furniture, shelves, ceiling fans, and light fixtures.

☐ Remove seasonal decorations unless they are subtle and appropriate.

☐ Store valuables, medications, mail, bills, photographs, and personal documents.

☐ Make sure all rooms, closets, garages, and exterior areas requested for photography are accessible.

Kitchen Checklist

The kitchen is often one of the most important areas of a listing. Keep countertops as open and uncluttered as possible.

☐ Clean countertops, sinks, faucets, backsplashes, and appliances.

☐ Remove dishes from the sink and drying rack.

☐ Store countertop appliances that are not part of the presentation.

☐ Remove paper towels, dish soap, cleaning supplies, sponges, and brushes.

☐ Remove refrigerator magnets, photographs, calendars, notes, and paperwork.

☐ Hide trash and recycling containers.

☐ Remove pet bowls and feeding stations.

☐ Clear the top of the refrigerator.

☐ Straighten chairs and bar stools.

☐ Add one simple decorative item, such as a bowl of fruit, plant, or floral arrangement.

☐ Make sure all appliance doors and cabinets are closed.

☐ Replace burned-out under-cabinet or pendant lights.

Living Room and Family Room Checklist

☐ Remove excess furniture that makes the room appear crowded.

☐ Arrange seating to create an open and inviting layout.

☐ Straighten cushions, pillows, and throws.

☐ Remove remote controls, charging cables, magazines, and personal electronics.

☐ Organize bookshelves and entertainment centers.

☐ Turn off televisions and computer monitors.

☐ Remove personal photographs when possible.

☐ Clean fireplace glass and organize the hearth.

☐ Minimize toys, pet supplies, exercise equipment, and hobby materials.

☐ Add a small amount of neutral décor without overcrowding the room.

Bedroom Checklist

☐ Make every bed neatly.

☐ Use clean, coordinated bedding.

☐ Straighten pillows, blankets, and bed skirts.

☐ Clear nightstands and dresser tops.

☐ Remove medications, tissue boxes, water bottles, jewelry, and personal items.

☐ Store clothing, shoes, laundry baskets, and bags.

☐ Close dresser drawers and closet doors.

☐ Remove visible items from underneath the bed.

☐ Organize children’s toys and decorations.

☐ Turn on bedside lamps.

Bathroom Checklist

Bathrooms should appear especially clean and uncluttered.

☐ Clean sinks, countertops, mirrors, tubs, showers, and toilets.

☐ Close toilet lids.

☐ Remove toothbrushes, toothpaste, razors, cosmetics, medications, and toiletries.

☐ Remove towels hanging over shower doors or tub edges.

☐ Remove bathmats unless they are clean and decorative.

☐ Hide trash cans, toilet brushes, plungers, scales, and cleaning supplies.

☐ Remove shampoo bottles, soap containers, and shower accessories.

☐ Hang clean, coordinated towels.

☐ Replace empty toilet paper rolls.

☐ Check mirrors and shower glass for streaks or water spots.

Dining Room Checklist

☐ Clear the dining table of paperwork, bags, and everyday items.

☐ Straighten all chairs.

☐ Remove excess chairs if the room feels crowded.

☐ Use a simple centerpiece that does not block the view.

☐ Clean the table surface, light fixture, and surrounding furniture.

☐ Remove highchairs, booster seats, and pet feeding supplies.

Home Office Checklist

☐ Organize the desk and remove unnecessary paperwork.

☐ Hide confidential documents and personal information.

☐ Remove visible passwords, calendars, client information, and financial records.

☐ Minimize computer cables and office supplies.

☐ Turn off computer monitors.

☐ Arrange chairs and equipment neatly.

Laundry Room Checklist

☐ Remove clothing, laundry baskets, hangers, and cleaning products.

☐ Clear the tops of the washer and dryer.

☐ Close appliance doors and cabinets.

☐ Sweep and clean the floor.

☐ Organize shelves and visible storage areas.

Garage and Storage Area Checklist

Garages are not always included in standard listing photography. When they will be photographed:

☐ Remove vehicles.

☐ Organize tools, boxes, bicycles, and lawn equipment.

☐ Clear walkways and visible floor space.

☐ Close cabinets and storage containers.

☐ Remove trash and recycling.

☐ Replace burned-out bulbs.

☐ Confirm that garage doors and openers operate properly.

Exterior Preparation Checklist

The exterior photograph is often the primary image buyers see, so curb appeal is especially important.

☐ Mow the lawn.

☐ Trim shrubs, bushes, and low tree branches.

☐ Remove weeds and dead plants.

☐ Sweep walkways, porches, patios, and driveways.

☐ Remove leaves, sticks, and yard debris.

☐ Store garden hoses, sprinklers, tools, and lawn equipment.

☐ Hide trash cans and recycling containers.

☐ Remove children’s toys, sports equipment, and portable basketball goals when practical.

☐ Remove temporary signs, political signs, and unnecessary decorations.

☐ Clean outdoor furniture and arrange it neatly.

☐ Remove covers from grills and patio furniture when the items underneath are presentable.

☐ Clean the front door and exterior windows.

☐ Replace damaged or outdated doormats.

☐ Turn on exterior lights.

☐ Remove vehicles from the driveway and from directly in front of the property.

☐ Open patio umbrellas if weather conditions permit.

☐ Clean pools, spas, decks, docks, and water features.

☐ Remove pool-cleaning equipment, chemicals, toys, and floating devices.

Pet Preparation Checklist

Photographers often need to open doors, move between rooms, and enter exterior spaces. Pets should be safely secured before the appointment.

☐ Remove pets from the property when possible.

☐ Secure pets in a crate or in a room that will not be photographed.

☐ Tell the photographer where any secured pets are located.

☐ Remove pet bowls, beds, crates, litter boxes, toys, and waste.

☐ Clean pet hair from floors and furniture.

☐ Repair visible pet damage when possible.

☐ Remove pet waste from the yard.

☐ Do not leave pets loose in the home or yard during aerial drone photography.

Preparing for Aerial Drone Photography

☐ Move vehicles away from the driveway and front of the property.

☐ Remove trash containers, equipment, and temporary objects from the yard.

☐ Arrange outdoor furniture and recreation areas neatly.

☐ Make sure pools and water features are clean.

☐ Notify the photographer of nearby airports, restricted areas, power lines, towers, or other potential flight concerns.

☐ Keep people and pets away from the drone’s operating area.

☐ Understand that drone photography may need to be postponed because of rain, high winds, airspace restrictions, or unsafe operating conditions.

Preparing for a Zillow 3D Tour, Matterport Tour, or Floor Plan

Virtual tours and floor plans require access to the entire property and generally capture more of each room than individual photographs.

☐ Prepare every room and connecting hallway.

☐ Open interior doors unless a room should remain private.

☐ Make sure closets are organized when they will be included.

☐ Remove people and pets from the scanning area.

☐ Hide personal information, valuables, medications, and sensitive materials.

☐ Clear narrow pathways and remove tripping hazards.

☐ Make sure stairways, basements, garages, and utility areas are accessible.

☐ Turn on all lights.

☐ Avoid moving objects while the tour is being created.

☐ Inform the photographer about any rooms that should be excluded.

Preparing for Twilight Photography

Twilight photography requires additional exterior preparation because both the property and its lighting will be prominently featured.

☐ Replace burned-out exterior bulbs.

☐ Test landscape, porch, garage, pool, and architectural lighting.

☐ Turn on interior lights throughout the property.

☐ Open curtains and blinds where appropriate.

☐ Remove vehicles from the driveway and front of the property.

☐ Clean windows, doors, patios, pools, and outdoor furniture.

☐ Turn on pool and spa lighting.

☐ Light fireplaces or fire features only when they are safe, permitted, and supervised.

☐ Make sure automatic lighting systems can be manually controlled during the appointment.

The Day Before the Photoshoot

☐ Complete cleaning and staging.

☐ Finish lawn care and exterior preparation.

☐ Remove clutter rather than placing it in rooms that need to be photographed.

☐ Check every light fixture and replace burned-out bulbs.

☐ Confirm the appointment time and access instructions.

☐ Review the weather when exterior or drone photography is scheduled.

☐ Make arrangements for children, pets, tenants, or occupants during the appointment.

☐ Confirm that contractors and cleaning crews will be finished before the photographer arrives.

The Day of the Photoshoot

☐ Make all beds.

☐ Open curtains and blinds.

☐ Turn on all lights and lamps.

☐ Turn off ceiling fans, televisions, and computer monitors.

☐ Remove vehicles from the driveway.

☐ Put away last-minute personal items.

☐ Wipe down kitchen and bathroom surfaces.

☐ Empty sinks and trash containers.

☐ Secure pets.

☐ Make sure the photographer can access all requested areas.

☐ Leave the property when possible so the photographer can move efficiently from room to room.

What Should Not Be Left Until the Photographer Arrives

To keep the appointment on schedule, clients should not expect the photographer to:

• Deep-clean the property

• Make beds

• Wash dishes

• Move large or heavy furniture

• Organize closets or storage rooms

• Remove large amounts of clutter

• Perform lawn care

• Repair damaged fixtures

• Handle valuable or fragile belongings

• Supervise children or pets

• Complete professional home staging

A photographer may make small adjustments when appropriate, such as straightening a chair, repositioning a pillow, or opening a curtain. However, the overall preparation of the property remains the responsibility of the agent and client.

Final Walk-Through Checklist

Before the photographer begins, walk through the property and ask:

☐ Are the rooms clean and uncluttered?

☐ Are beds made and pillows arranged?

☐ Are kitchen and bathroom counters clear?

☐ Are all lights working and turned on?

☐ Are blinds and curtains positioned neatly?

☐ Are ceiling fans turned off?

☐ Are personal documents and valuables out of sight?

☐ Are pets secured?

☐ Are vehicles, trash cans, and lawn equipment removed from view?

☐ Are all requested rooms and exterior areas accessible?

A Little Preparation Makes a Major Difference

The best listing photographs begin with a property that is clean, organized, and ready before the photographer arrives. Agents can help by clearly communicating expectations, while homeowners and property contacts can prepare each space using the checklists above.

When everyone works together, the photoshoot can be completed efficiently and the final images can present the property at its very best.

Ready to showcase your next listing? Contact Jiffy Images to schedule professional real estate photography, aerial drone photography, virtual tours, floor plans, and complete property marketing services throughout Williamsburg, the Historic Triangle, and the surrounding Hampton Roads communities.