Smooth Shoots, Happy Clients: How to Prep for Your Real Estate Photography Session
1. Set Expectations Early
A quick conversation with your seller before the shoot helps avoid surprises. Let them know a photographer will be arriving with equipment, likely moving around the home quickly and occasionally adjusting small items for the best shot. Explaining the process upfront helps everyone feel more comfortable…and prepared.
2. Declutter the Essentials
Encourage your seller to tuck away personal items like toiletries, magnets, pet supplies, and framed family photos. These small items can make a space feel cluttered in photos and are better moved by the homeowner than the photographer.
3. Stash & Simplify Furniture
Extra furniture can make a room feel smaller. If there are small chairs, ottomans, or floor lamps that aren't essential, go ahead and store them in the garage or a closet…preferably one that won’t be photographed. The cleaner and more open the space looks, the better it will photograph.
4. All Lights On, All Fans Off
Before the photographer arrives, turn on every interior light and turn off all ceiling fans. Even if we're done shooting a room, the next angle might capture part of that space again. Keeping lights on and fans off until we’re completely finished keeps the look consistent and professional.
5. Tidy Up the Exterior
Naples is blessed with sunshine and swaying palms, but those fallen branches and leaves can quickly clutter a driveway or yard. A quick sweep or rake-up before the session makes a huge difference. Also, be sure to hide pool gear, hoses, and garbage bins in the garage or behind a fence if possible.
Final Thoughts
These prep steps may seem small, but they make a big impact. Well-prepared homes photograph faster, look better online, and ultimately help buyers connect with the space. As we continue working together, these little things become second nature…and that’s when the magic really happens.
Need a printable checklist to share with your sellers? Let me know, I’ve got you covered.
