20-Step Checklist to Prepare Your Home for Real Estate Listing Photos

Getting your home ready for a real estate photoshoot can feel overwhelming. The day your photographer arrives is often one of the most nerve-wracking moments in the selling process. Suddenly, every detail needs to be perfect, and that pressure can be intense.

As a photographer, I've seen homeowners scrambling to finish up just as I arrive. It’s not uncommon to find sellers dashing around, trying to put the final touches on every room. If you've ever been in that situation, you know exactly how stressful it can be.

Realtors often help ease this chaos by working with detailed seller checklists and arranging coaching sessions with staging experts. They get your home looking its best long before the photographer even steps through the door.

Remember, the way your home is presented can really shape a buyer's impression—and even affect your final sale price. Great photos and videos have become a game changer in real estate marketing over the past few years.

Keep in mind that your photographer or videographer is an artist. They know how to play with light and space to capture the most inviting angles of your home. When they arrive, they take a thoughtful walk-through to pinpoint the areas that will truly captivate potential buyers. Their experience lets them highlight your home’s best features, turning every room into a standout selling point.

That’s why having your home ready when they arrive is so important. If they have to pause their creative process to rearrange furniture or tidy up, it can throw off the flow of the shoot. You should let them focus on making your home look its absolute best.

To get the most out of your professional photographer, take a few extra steps ahead of time. Follow our pre-shoot checklist to have your house photo-ready and welcoming before you list it for sale. Ready to make your home shine?

Property Photography Checklist: 20 Must-Do Steps to Get Your Home Ready

Clear & Clean Kitchen Counters & Sink

A clean, clutter-free kitchen makes a big difference in real estate photos. When countertops are completely cleared off, the space looks larger and more inviting, helping buyers picture themselves using the kitchen. Small appliances like coffee makers and mixers, along with excess decor, can make the area feel crowded and distract from the room’s features.

To get your kitchen photo-ready, remove everything from the counters except for one or two carefully chosen decorative items. Wipe down all surfaces, including countertops, appliances, the sink, and the backsplash, to ensure a spotless, polished look in your listing photos.

Declutter and Deep Clean Bathroom Sinks, Tubs, and Showers

A clean and clutter-free bathroom photographs much better and makes the space feel larger. Start by removing all personal items from the sink, shower, and tub, including shampoo bottles, soaps, razors, and toothbrushes. Store them in a small bin that can be tucked away under the sink or inside a cabinet.

Next, clear everything off the bathroom counter. The goal is to create a sleek, hotel-like appearance that feels fresh and spacious. If you want to add a touch of warmth, neatly folded towels on the towel rack are a great finishing touch. Make sure the sink, mirror, and fixtures are spotless—streaks and water spots can be distracting in high-resolution listing photos.

Replace Burned Out Light Bulbs

One of the most commonly overlooked details when preparing a home for real estate photos is checking the light bulbs. Walk through each room and test every ceiling light, lamp, and exterior fixture to ensure they are working properly. A single burned-out bulb can create dark spots in photos, making the home appear less inviting.

If certain areas of the home tend to be dim, like basements or hallways, consider adding extra lighting. Floor lamps that provide upward lighting work especially well for brightening up shadowy spaces. The goal is to make the home look as well-lit and welcoming as possible, as brighter spaces typically photograph better and feel more inviting to potential buyers.

Turn On All Lights Throughout The Entire House

Good lighting is crucial for high-quality real estate photos. A bright, well-lit home looks more inviting, spacious, and appealing to buyers. Before your photographer arrives, go through every room and turn on all available lights, including ceiling fixtures, lamps, and under-cabinet lighting.

Don’t forget exterior lights as well. These can enhance curb appeal and make your home look warm and welcoming in listing photos. Proper lighting helps highlight your home’s best features and ensures your photos turn out crisp and vibrant.

Open All Window Treatments

One of the easiest ways to make your home look its best in real estate photos is by letting in as much natural light as possible. Bright, well-lit rooms feel more inviting and spacious, which can make a big difference in how potential buyers perceive your home online. Before your photographer arrives, open all blinds, curtains, and shades in every room to allow natural light to fill the space.

If the sunlight is too harsh, don't worry—your photographer will adjust the window coverings as needed to get the perfect shot. Just be sure to clean your windows beforehand! Smudges and streaks can be surprisingly noticeable in high-resolution photos and might take away from the clean, polished look you're aiming for.

Remove Unnecessary Furniture & Decorations

One of the biggest challenges for home sellers is deciding what to keep and what to remove before a real estate photo shoot. While it may be tough to part with certain furniture and décor, clearing out unnecessary or oversized pieces can make a dramatic difference. Open floor space makes rooms feel larger, more inviting, and easier for buyers to visualize as their own.

Start by removing bulky furniture, extra decorations, and personal items that could distract from the home itself. If you're unsure what should stay or go, consider working with a professional stager. They can help create a balanced look that enhances the space without making it feel empty. In real estate photography, less is often more, and a clean, uncluttered home will always photograph better.

Remove Floor Mats and Runners

While floor mats and runners help protect your floors, they can make a room appear smaller in real estate photos. Wide-angle lenses, commonly used by photographers, enhance the sense of space, but floor mats often distort and shrink the perceived floor area. This can make rooms look more cramped than they actually are.

To ensure your home looks as spacious as possible, remove all floor mats from high-traffic areas like bathrooms, kitchens, and laundry rooms. If you have larger rugs, consider consulting a professional stager to decide whether they should stay or be temporarily removed for the photo shoot. A clear, unobstructed floor helps create a cleaner, more expansive look in your listing photos.

Turn All Ceiling Fans, TVs, and Computer Screens Off

When preparing your home for real estate photos, it’s important to eliminate anything that could cause motion blur. Most professional photographers use HDR photography, a technique that captures multiple exposures and blends them into a single, high-quality image. If ceiling fans are spinning or TV and computer screens are on, they can create strange distortions in the final photos.

To ensure crisp, clean images that showcase your home at its best, turn off all fans, televisions, and monitors before the photographer arrives. This simple step makes a big difference in achieving professional-looking real estate photos.

Clear Appliance Surfaces of Magnets and Clutter

Refrigerators often become a catch-all for magnets, notes, calendars, and other personal items. While these may be useful for everyday life, they can be distracting in real estate photos. A cluttered fridge can make a kitchen look messy and take attention away from the home’s best features.

Before your real estate photos are taken, remove all magnets, reminders, and personal items from the refrigerator and other appliances. This simple step helps create a clean, polished look that appeals to buyers. Plus, it protects your personal information from being visible in online listings. A sleek, uncluttered kitchen makes a great first impression and keeps the focus on the space, not the stuff.

Make All of the Beds

Making the beds might seem like a small detail, but it’s one of the most important steps in preparing your home for real estate photos. A neatly made bed instantly makes a bedroom look polished, inviting, and well-maintained. Yet, this simple task is often overlooked—especially in secondary bedrooms.

To create a clean and visually appealing space, ensure all beds are fully made with properly fitted sheets, blankets, and comforters that drape evenly over the sides. Choose bedding that complements the room’s decor and avoid mismatched or wrinkled linens. Decorative pillows can add a stylish touch, bringing in pops of color and texture to make the space feel more inviting.

Even if the rest of the room is spotless, an unmade or poorly made bed can make the entire space feel unkempt in photos. A well-dressed bed helps create a warm, welcoming atmosphere that appeals to potential buyers scrolling through listing photos. Taking a few extra minutes to perfect the beds can make a significant difference in how your home is perceived online.

Remove All Personal Photos and Items

Buyers need to be able to picture themselves living in your home, and that’s difficult when personal photos and items are on display. Family pictures, keepsakes, and personal decorations can make the space feel like it belongs to someone else, which can be a distraction in real estate photos.

To create a clean, neutral look, remove all personal items from every part of the house, including living spaces, bedrooms, bathrooms, and even outdoor areas like patios and porches. This allows buyers to focus on the home's features rather than the people who currently live there. A well-staged home looks inviting and move-in ready, making it easier for buyers to imagine making it their own.

Put All Shoes & Jackets in Closets

First impressions matter, especially in real estate photos. A cluttered entryway with shoes and jackets on display can make a home appear smaller and give buyers the impression that storage is limited. This small detail can create a subconscious concern about the home’s functionality.

To present a clean and inviting space, remove all shoes, jackets, and other personal items from entryways, coat racks, and visible storage areas. Store them neatly in closets or designated storage spaces to eliminate distractions. A tidy, open area helps highlight the home's best features and makes it look more spacious in listing photos.

Clear All Night Stands and Dressers

Nightstands and dressers often become catch-all surfaces for everyday items like books, charging cables, tissue boxes, and personal belongings. While this is fine for daily life, it can make a room look cluttered in real estate photos.

To create a clean and polished appearance, remove everything except a lamp and one simple decorative piece, such as a small vase of flowers or a stylish book. This approach helps the space feel organized and inviting, much like a well-kept hotel room. A tidy, minimal look will photograph better and make the bedroom appear more spacious and appealing to potential buyers.

Remove All Pet Items

Even if you’re a pet lover, potential buyers may not be. Some people have severe allergies, while others simply prefer a home that feels fresh and neutral. The last thing you want is for pet odors or scattered pet items to turn buyers away. Before your real estate photos are taken, remove all pet beds, food bowls, toys, and litter boxes. Deep clean any areas where pets spend the most time, and use an enzymatic cleaner to eliminate lingering odors.

Keep in mind that you might be "nose blind" to pet smells since you live in the home every day. To be sure your house smells fresh, ask a friend, neighbor, or real estate agent for an honest opinion. A clean, pet-free appearance in listing photos can help attract more buyers and prevent negative feedback that could impact your home's sale price.

Tidy Up the Yard & Landscaping

First impressions matter, and for real estate photos, the front yard is the first thing buyers will see. A clean, well-maintained yard instantly makes your home look more inviting and well cared for. Before your photo session, mow the lawn, trim overgrown bushes, and remove any weeds or dead plants. Fresh mulch, neatly edged flower beds, and a swept walkway can add instant curb appeal.

Since the front of your home is usually the first image in a real estate listing, it needs to look its absolute best. Buyers often decide within seconds whether they want to see more, so make sure the exterior is tidy, welcoming, and free of distractions. Put away hoses, garbage bins, and any outdoor clutter to create a polished, magazine-worthy shot that grabs attention.

Sweep up the Porch/Patio/Deck

A clean and well-maintained porch, patio, or deck sets the stage for stunning real estate photos. This step is especially important in the fall when leaves pile up quickly. Sweep away any debris, dust, or dirt to ensure the space looks fresh and inviting. If possible, remove any unnecessary items to create a clean, open feel.

To enhance the appeal, consider staging the area with simple yet stylish decor. A few potted flowers, a cozy outdoor chair, or a decorative lantern can make the space look warm and welcoming. A thoughtfully arranged outdoor area not only photographs better but also conveys a strong sense of pride in homeownership, making a lasting impression on potential buyers.

Remove All Vehicles from the Driveway and Street

When preparing your home for real estate photos, make sure the driveway is completely clear of vehicles. Cars, trucks, RVs, and trailers can be distracting in listing photos and take attention away from the home’s curb appeal. A clean, open driveway makes the property look more spacious and inviting.

For the best results, also check the street in front of your home. If possible, ask neighbors to temporarily move their vehicles to keep the area looking open and uncluttered. This small detail can make a big difference, especially for wide-angle and drone shots, helping to create a more polished and professional look.

Hide Garbage Cans & Lawn Equipment

When preparing your home for real estate photos, one of the easiest ways to improve the overall look is by removing large garbage cans and lawn equipment. These items can be an eyesore and draw attention away from your home’s best features. Before the photographer arrives, store all trash cans in the garage or out of sight. The same goes for garden hoses, lawnmowers, and any other yard maintenance tools.

Additionally, take a moment to clear the lawn of small toys, pet bowls, or any other clutter. These little details might seem minor, but they can make a big difference in how polished and inviting your home looks in photos. A clean, distraction-free yard allows buyers to focus on your home’s curb appeal rather than unnecessary objects in the frame. The goal is to create a picture-perfect setting that makes a strong first impression.

Remove Outdoor Cooker Covers

When preparing your home for real estate photos, every detail matters—even your outdoor cooking setup. A clean, well-maintained grill or smoker can help showcase your outdoor space as a functional and inviting area. Instead of leaving covers on, remove them so buyers can see the appliances in their best light. A shiny, well-kept grill suggests a home ready for entertaining, which can add to the overall appeal of your listing.

If your grill is old, rusted, or an eyesore, consider storing it out of sight or replacing it entirely. A neglected or heavily worn cooker can be a distraction in photos, potentially giving buyers the wrong impression about how the rest of the home has been maintained. The goal is to create an inviting and polished look that enhances your home’s curb appeal and outdoor living space.

Open Up Patio Umbrellas

Opening up patio umbrellas can make your outdoor space look more inviting and polished in real estate photos. If the weather allows, raise the umbrellas to create a welcoming, shaded area that buyers can picture themselves enjoying. Take a moment to dust off any outdoor furniture and arrange the space as if you were about to host a gathering.

Adding fresh outdoor pillows and a few potted flowers can enhance the setting, making it feel more vibrant and well-maintained. These small details help highlight the potential of your backyard and create an appealing atmosphere that stands out in listing photos.

Here are a Few Extra Things to Consider:

Be Prepared to Reschedule

Weather plays a major role in real estate photography, and professional photographers often adjust their schedules to capture the best possible images. Overcast skies, heavy rain, or strong winds can make it difficult to get clear, high-quality shots, especially for exterior photos and drone footage.

If poor weather is in the forecast, your real estate agent or photographer may need to reschedule the shoot. While this can be frustrating, it’s usually in your best interest. A sunny day with good lighting will make your home look more inviting and help create stunning listing photos that attract buyers. Trust your photographer’s judgment—they know how to get the best results.

Plan To Be Away During the Photo Shoot

To get the best real estate photos, it's important to give the photographer an empty space to work with. Many professional photographers use 3D imaging technology to capture every part of the home, including the yard and garage. If kids or pets are moving around during the shoot, they could unintentionally end up in the photos or 3D tour, which can be distracting for potential buyers.

Even if you try to stay out of the way by moving from room to room, it can still disrupt the process. The best approach is to plan ahead and leave the house for a few hours. This allows the photographer to focus without interruptions and ensures that every room is captured in its best light. An unoccupied home makes for a smoother, more efficient shoot and results in higher-quality listing photos.

Leave Instructions for the Photographer to Lock Up

When your real estate photographer or videographer finishes capturing your home, they typically notify the Realtor who scheduled the session. However, if you won’t be home during the shoot, it’s important to leave clear instructions on how they should lock up before they go. Provide a key in a secure location or share details on how to lock the door properly.

Whether it’s using a keypad, securing a deadbolt, or placing the key back in a lockbox, make sure they know the exact steps to follow. This ensures your home stays secure while allowing the photographer to focus on delivering high-quality images without any confusion.

Summary:

Your home’s marketing is one of the most important factors in selling it quickly and for the best possible price. It all starts with preparation, followed by high-quality real estate photos and videos. A professional photographer or videographer can showcase your home in its best light, but only if the space is properly staged and ready for the shoot. Taking the time to complete a few key steps before they arrive will help maximize the quality of your listing photos and make the most of their expertise.

By now, you’ve likely spent weeks or even months decluttering, cleaning, and making improvements to get your home ready to sell. The final step—ensuring your home is picture-perfect for the photography session—is just as crucial as all the work you’ve already done. Overlooking small details at this stage can diminish the impact of your listing photos, which are often the first impression buyers will have of your property.

Don’t let all your hard work go to waste by skipping this last, essential part of the process. Proper preparation will allow your home to shine in photos, attract more buyers, and ultimately lead to stronger offers. With the right approach, you can set your home up for success before the photographer even walks through the door.