Photography Prep Checklist

Week of Shoot

Exterior:

  • Landscaping (weed flower beds, add fresh mulch, mow the lawn, add colorful plants/flowers)
  • Make sure cushions are on your patio furniture
  • Clean all the windows and the area around the front door
  • Pressure wash the house, driveways, walkways, patios, and decks if possible

Interior:

  • De-clutter all rooms
  • Replace any non-functioning light bulbs, making sure to keep the same color temperature
  • Clean the windows and walls
  • Clean the floors free of all smudges and footprints

Day of Shoot

Exterior:

  • Remove your car from the driveway/front of the house and park across the street
  • Move all of your garbage cans to your garage or bring them to the curb (not in the backyard or side of the house)
  • Remove garden hose, sprinklers, shovels etc.
  • Rake up any leaves
  • Clean the pool and remove pool cleaners and toys if applicable (hours before shoot to allow any water to dry on the concrete)

Interior:

  • Turn off your TVs
  • Turn off your ceiling fans while still leaving on the lights
  • Hide remote controls
  • Hide all of your power cords/cables/phone chargers etc., to the best of your ability
  • Put away clothing
  • Clean & de-clutter the kitchen countertops, making sure to have a full roll of paper towels (remove detergents, sponges, rags, dishes etc.)
  • Add VERY FULL fruit bowls or fresh flowers in the kitchen and dining room for an extra color pop
  • Remove stickers and magnets from the refrigerator, and clean the stainless steel if applicable
  • Clean the vanities in the bathroom and make sure they are bare (a nice, full soap is great, but hide things such as toothpaste, face wash, shampoo etc.)
  • Close all of the toilet seats
  • Make sure to have fresh toilet paper in all of the bathrooms
  • Make sure all the beds are made and free of wrinkles
  • Turn on all of your lights
  • Hide everything pet related

*Keep in mind that “hidden items” under beds and behind furniture can sometimes be seen depending on the angle of the photograph. Please be sure that all hidden items are not visible.