How far in advance should I prepare before the photo shoot?

Start decluttering and doing any cleaning or minor repairs at least a few days before the scheduled shoot, and finish the heaviest work — deep cleaning, yard work, moving items you're storing elsewhere — the day or two before. The photo shoot should be the last step after prep is finished, not scheduled around ongoing work.

Should I take down family photos and personal items?

Yes, generally. Removing personal photos, collections and highly personal items helps buyers picture themselves in the space, and it keeps the listing photos focused on the home rather than your belongings.

What should I do with pets on photo day?

Plan to have pets, their bowls, beds, toys and litter boxes out of sight or off-site during the shoot. Even well-behaved pets and their gear tend to distract from the room in photos.

Do I need to move my cars?

Yes — move vehicles out of the driveway and off the street in front of the house for exterior shots. An empty driveway and unobstructed front elevation make a much stronger first photo.

Are twilight and drone photos necessary for every home?

Not every home needs them, but they can be especially effective for properties with strong curb appeal, a distinctive setting, a view, or a larger lot. Lori can advise on which additional shots make sense for your specific property.

What if I still have repairs to finish?

Finish repairs and touch-ups before the shoot if at all possible. Photos are one of the most influential parts of your listing, and it's worth waiting a few extra days to schedule the shoot once the home is genuinely ready rather than photographing it mid-repair.

Bright, tidy living room staged and ready for real estate photography

Resources · Photo Prep

Preparing Your Home for Real Estate Photos

Listing photos are often a buyer's very first impression of your home. A little preparation before the shoot makes a real difference in how it shows.

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Most buyers form their first impression of a home from photos, long before they ever request a showing. That makes the photo shoot one of the highest-leverage moments in the entire selling process — and one of the easiest to get right with a bit of planning.

The goal of preparation isn't to make your home look like it belongs to someone else. It's to remove distractions — clutter, personal items, stray cords, an obstructed driveway — so the photos show the space itself clearly and let buyers imagine their own life in it.

This checklist walks through interior, exterior and specialty shots room by room, plus the timing questions that trip sellers up most often: what to finish before the shoot, and why it's worth waiting a few extra days to get it right rather than photographing a home that's still mid-prep.

Getting ready to list?

Tell Lori your target timeline and she'll help you plan prep and the photo shoot around it.

Interior

Room-by-room checklist

Work through each space with fresh eyes, or ask a friend to walk through with you — it's easy to stop noticing your own clutter.

Clear kitchen counters down to a few intentional items; put away small appliances, mail and dish racks.
Remove personal photos, collections, and highly personal items from common areas.
Put away pet bowls, beds, toys, litter boxes and visible pet gear.
Tuck away cords, chargers and cables from countertops, desks and entertainment centers.
Empty and remove visible trash cans and recycling bins from rooms before shooting.
Make sure lightbulbs match in color temperature and all fixtures are working; replace any that are burnt out.
Open blinds and curtains fully to maximize natural light in every room.
Clean mirrors and glass surfaces thoroughly — they show up prominently in wide shots.
Give bathrooms a spa-like reset: clear counters, fresh towels, closed toilet lids, no personal toiletries visible.
Style the primary bed with simple, neutral, wrinkle-free bedding.

Exterior

Yard, curb appeal and specialty shots

Move vehicles

Clear cars from the driveway and street in front of the home so the exterior shot isn't obstructed.

Tidy the yard

Mow, edge, clear fallen leaves or debris, and put away hoses, toys and yard equipment before shooting.

Clean walkways and entry

Sweep the front walk and porch, and consider a fresh doormat and simple potted plants at the entry.

Twilight shots

If planned, make sure exterior and interior lights are all working and turned on for the scheduled evening shoot.

Drone shots

For larger lots or distinctive settings, confirm the yard, roof and any visible clutter (trash cans, tarps, equipment) are cleared before an aerial pass.

Pool and patio areas

Clear pool toys and covers if possible, tidy furniture, and remove any visible maintenance equipment.

Timing

Scheduling the shoot for after prep is finished

Photos should be scheduled once cleaning and any planned repairs are actually complete — not around them. A photographer can't retouch a room that's still cluttered or a yard that hasn't been mowed, and rescheduling costs more time than it saves.

If you know repairs or a deep clean will take more than a day or two, plan the shoot date around that timeline from the start rather than rushing prep to meet an earlier date.

Logistics

What to move in advance and your day-of routine

1
Move out-of-season or excess items early
If you have items you plan to store or donate before selling, move them out well before the shoot rather than shuffling them at the last minute.
2
Do a full declutter pass the day before
Go room by room the day before the shoot with the checklist above, so nothing is rushed the morning of.
3
Handle pets and vehicles the morning of
Arrange for pets to be elsewhere and move vehicles off-site shortly before the photographer arrives.
4
Do a final light and blind check
Walk through right before the shoot to turn on all lights, open all blinds, and clear any last-minute items.
5
Leave the space during the shoot if possible
Photographers generally work more efficiently, and rooms show better, without a full household present.

Good questions

Photo prep: common questions

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Sellers

Sell your home with Lori

An overview of how Lori works with sellers from first conversation to closing.

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Resources

Home selling checklist

A broader step-by-step checklist covering the full path to listing.

See the full checklist

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