Real Estate Photo-Ready Checklist

How to Get Ready For Your Real Estate Photography Appointment

This checklist is designed to be your game plan for capturing amazing real estate photos that make potential buyers click.

Our goal is to work together to showcase the property beautifully while ensuring the homeowner can return to their regular schedule as quickly as possible. Having the home 100% prepared before the photographer arrives is the best way to achieve this!

Your preparation allows us to shoot quickly and efficiently, delivering top-notch images in record time. To help us focus and work effectively, we suggest that homeowners prepare to vacate the home for at least 1-2 hours during the session, sometimes more depending on services ordered. Please review the approximate appointment duration in your appointment email or portal.

Please keep in mind that for efficiency, photographers cannot wait for items to be shuffled between rooms; we recommend tucking any remaining clutter away in closets, storage areas, or the garage so we can keep things moving smoothly for you.

Click here to get this checklist as a Google Doc

General Preparation

Ensure the home is 100% show-ready before the photographer arrives.
Cancel or reschedule at least 24 hours in advance to avoid fees.
Photographers will not move furniture, clean, or have much time to wait for staging or cleaning to be finished.

Outdoor Prep

Remove all real estate signage from the yard and windows.
Mow lawns, trim shrubbery, and tidy up gardens.
Clean and open outdoor umbrellas; remove if faded.
Clean and uncover pools, and water features such as hot tubs, fountains, etc.
Turn ON all water features such as hot tubs, fountains, etc.
Remove pool vacuums and hoses.
Sweep driveways and walkways (complete wet cleaning 6 hours prior).
Move all vehicles from the driveway and park 1-2 houses away.
Keep a leaf blower with a charged battery, or broom available if possible.

Windows & Lighting

Clean all windows inside and out.
Open curtains wide and set blinds at right angles to the glass.
Turn OFF all ceiling fans, TVs, and computer screens.
Turn ON all lights, lamps, under cabinet lights, hallways, closets, etc. and ensure all bulbs are working and match in color.
Turn ON all exterior lights.

Personal Item Removal

Remove all family portraits, papers on the refrigerator, anything personal, or anything you do not want to appear in the photos.
Remove all pet-related items such as kennels, food and water bowls, bedding, etc.

Interior Living Areas

Declutter all rooms; hide remote controls and power cords.
Straighten couch pillows and lamp shades.

Kitchen & Dining

Clear and clean all counters; remove soaps, paper towels, and dish towels.
Empty and clean the sink; put away all dishes.
Clear the refrigerator of all items and magnets.
Hide garbage containers in the garage or a closet.

Bathrooms

Clear all counters and showers of products (use a box to hide daily items).
Clean mirrors and glass shower doors.
Close all toilet lids and fold/hang towels neatly.

Closets & Storage

Keep walk-in closets neat and clean for the camera.
Use secondary closets as storage areas to hide clutter from other rooms.

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Real estate photographer in Atlanta – Agents Choice Media

Agents Choice Media℠ (formerly Real Estate Photos Atlanta) is North Atlanta’s premier real estate media partner. We combine same-day HDR delivery with collaborative branding strategy to help high-performing agents win more listings and build a lasting legacy in the Georgia market.