Pre-Shoot Checklist
To Ensure The Best Results!
Pre-Shoot Checklist
Agents Please Read & Advise Your Sellers
To ensure the highest quality photos and videos, we've created this pre-shoot checklist for both real estate agents and homeowners. Proper preparation allows our team to spend less time cleaning and rearranging items and more time capturing your property at its absolute best.
Please note that if our photographers arrive and must wait for the property to be cleaned, organized, staged, or otherwise prepared for the session, an additional fee of $50 will be applied.
It is the responsibility of the agent and homeowner to ensure the property is fully prepared prior to our arrival. The difference between a prepared home and an unprepared home is significant and directly impacts the quality of the final deliverables. Following this checklist is strongly recommended, as any items left unaddressed may be visible in the final photos and videos. Simply put, the property will be photographed and filmed exactly as it appears during the session.
Please ensure all unnecessary items are removed from living spaces prior to our arrival. Our photographers will not move furniture, boxes, pet cages, pet crates, storage bins, personal belongings, or other large items from room to room. These items should be properly stored in a garage, basement, crawl space, storage area, or removed from the property before the session begins.
If additional editing or Photoshop work is required to remove overlooked items, a minimum editing fee of $10 per image will apply.
For 3D Virtual Tours and Video Services, all homeowners, tenants, children, guests, and pets must vacate the property for the duration of the session. Unfortunately, movement throughout the home during filming or scanning can negatively impact the final product, create delays, and affect scheduling for subsequent appointments. To ensure the highest quality results and maintain our production schedule, an unoccupied property is required for these services. Respectfully, this requirement is mandatory and exceptions cannot be accommodated.
While not every item on this checklist will apply to every property, we encourage you to review each section carefully and complete all applicable tasks before your scheduled appointment.
Our goal is to make the process as smooth and efficient as possible for everyone involved. A clean, organized, and well-presented home not only photographs better, but also helps potential buyers envision themselves living in the space. Removing clutter and personal items allows the property's features to take center stage and creates a stronger first impression.
We are committed to delivering exceptional results, and proper preparation is a key part of that process. Thank you for taking the time to ensure your property is ready for a successful and professional media session.
Exterior
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Prior to our arrival, remove cars from the driveway and front of the home, either in the garage or down the street. Garage doors must remain closed.
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Hide garbage cans, hoses, and gardening tools.
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Mow the lawn and remove any leftover debris (twigs, branches, discernable weeds).
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Remove any toys or sports equipment from the lawn and driveway.
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Uncover pools and hot tubs if clean; skim leaves. We will turn on lights and hot tub jets. Please put away cleaning equipment.
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Clean and arrange outside furniture, open patio table umbrella, tidy chairs, and plump cushions.
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Remove grill cover and hide utensils.
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Sweep sidewalks, driveway, patio, decks, and pool area.
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Remove all flags, hanging ornaments, and home security signs.
Lighting
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Turn on ALL lights in the house; replace burnt-out bulbs.
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Turn ON ceiling fan lights; please keep fan OFF.
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If a window has curtains, please open them. If the window has blinds, lower them but keep horizontal slats open.
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Turn all TVs and computer screens OFF.
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Any glass door/window/mirror should be clean and free of streaks or fingerprints.
Kitchen/Dining Room
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Recommended: Use standard dining table set up (i.e. plates, napkins, placemats, cutlery. Place bowl of fruit or flowers to add color, if possible).
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Clean off and wipe down all countertops.
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Remove appliances, knife blocks, toasters, etc. ONE nice, modern-looking device can stay (i.e., coffee maker or tea kettle on stove).
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Remove all items from the refrigerator (no magnets, pictures, etc.)
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Remove throw rugs, hanging towels, and paper towels.
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Hide garbage can, remove dishes and drain stopper.
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Straighten and tidy all chairs.
Bedrooms
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Make all beds; use decorative pillows if available.
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Remove ALL clutter from end tables, dressers, and nightstands. This includes personal photos, drinking cups, alarm clocks, etc.).
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Store away the phone, tablets, charging cords, books, tissues, and other items.
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If possible, remove all personal photos.
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Address any clutter under the bed that may show in photos or video.
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Walk-in closets should be clean and kept.
Bathrooms
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Arrange clean hand and body towels to be orderly.
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Hide all trash cans, plungers, or toilet scrubbers.
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Remove floor mats and be sure to close the toilet seat. Apply fresh toilet paper roll.
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Remove shampoos, razors, and loofahs from the shower; close the shower curtain or door.
Living Room/Family Rooms
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Vacuum, sweep, and mop where appropriate. This includes sweeping/dusting wooden floors.
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Tidy couches, fluff pillows, remove clutter from tables/desks.
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Dust off any screens.
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Remove shampoos, razors, and loofahs from the shower; close the shower curtain or door.