The photos are the listing. Buyers scroll past hundreds of homes a week, and a prepared house photographs dramatically better than an identical one that wasn't. Use this checklist the night before and the morning of your shoot — it takes an afternoon and pays for itself the first time a buyer books a showing from the photos alone.
The day before
- Deep clean every room the camera will see — floors, mirrors, glass, and stainless especially catch the light.
- Declutter aggressively. Countertops, nightstands, and coffee tables should hold no more than two or three intentional objects.
- Remove personal photos, awards, religious items, and children's art. Buyers need to picture themselves in the space.
- Replace any burnt-out bulbs and, where possible, match colour temperature across the room (all warm or all cool).
- Mow the lawn, edge the walkways, and clear the driveway of cars, bins, hoses, and toys.
Kitchen
- Clear the counters — hide the toaster, coffee maker, knife block, and dish rack.
- Remove magnets, notes, and calendars from the fridge.
- Set out one styled element: a bowl of fresh fruit, a cutting board, or a folded tea towel.
- Wipe fingerprints from stainless appliances and polish the sink dry.
Living areas
- Fluff and straighten pillows and throws; align them symmetrically.
- Hide remotes, cords, chargers, and gaming consoles.
- Pull furniture slightly away from walls so rooms feel more spacious on camera.
- Open blinds and curtains fully to let natural light in.
Bedrooms
- Make every bed hotel-tight — iron the duvet if you can.
- Clear nightstands down to a lamp and one small object.
- Close closet doors; store laundry baskets and hampers out of sight.
- Hide phone chargers, water glasses, and personal items.
Bathrooms
- Remove all toiletries, toothbrushes, soap bottles, and bathmats.
- Hang fresh, matching towels — or remove towels entirely for a cleaner look.
- Close every toilet lid. Every one.
- Polish mirrors, faucets, and glass shower doors until they're spot-free.
Exterior and curb appeal
- Sweep the porch, front steps, and entry. Straighten the doormat.
- Move vehicles off the driveway and away from the front of the house.
- Coil hoses, hide garbage and recycling bins, and tuck away kids' and pets' toys.
- Trim overgrown branches from the front of the home and windows.
- In summer, water the lawn the evening before so it photographs a rich green.
The hour before we arrive
- Turn on every light in the house — lamps, overhead, under-cabinet, exterior.
- Open all blinds and interior doors.
- Set thermostats to a comfortable temperature; the crew will be moving quickly.
- Secure pets in a room we'll shoot last, or arrange to have them out of the home.
- Do one final walk-through with fresh eyes — anything you notice, the camera will too.
A note on virtual twilight and staging
If your home has a great exterior but you're shooting at midday, virtual twilight ($25/image) transforms it into a warm evening scene that consistently draws more clicks. Virtual staging ($25/image) is the fastest way to make a vacant space feel livable. Both are worth considering before the shoot so we can capture the right base image.
Prep well, and the rest is our job. If you have questions about a specific property, get in touch — we're happy to walk through it with you before booking.