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Preparation Guide
Overview for Homeowners & Realtors
Unless otherwise requested, these areas are NOT photographed.
Use these areas for storage.

Areas Not Photographed
  • Garage

  • Toilet Rooms (In Master Bathrooms)

  • Closets

  • Kitchen Pantry

  • Storage Sheds

  • Laundry Room

Realtors

  • DO NOT INSTALL SIGNS UNTIL AFTER PHOTO SHOOT
General Prep
(applies to all rooms)
Applies to all areas in the house
  • Hide clothes and shoes

  • Remove boxes, storage containers/bins, suitcases,
    cleaning supplies, brooms, vacuum cleaners
    from all spaces that will be photographed

  • Remove personal photographs or replace with
    general landscape/object photographs if desired,
    but it is not our requirement

  • Remove sports' memorabilia, collectibles
    or anything else that express strong
    personal opinion or views

  • Remove small floor rugs to reveal actual flooring

  • Remove all floor fans, space heaters, air cleaners,
    humidifiers, sound speakers if possible

  • Unplug and remove all phone/ipad chargers
    in the entire house, tuck in all visible cords,
    but do not unplug any lamps

  • Hide all trash cans and close all toilet lids

  • Each room is photographed from 3 corners,
    do not hide anything behind or under the furniture,
    do not hide anything behind doors, it will be visible
    in photos. Hide everything into closets,
    laundry room or garage
Exterior
Front Exterior
The front of the home is usually the first photo buyers will see,
and this photo will determine if they will look
at additional property details

  • Close garage doors

  • Remove cars from driveway and front of the home

  • Remove trash cans from front of the house

  • Clean up landscaping (mow, trim shrubs, clear leaves)

  • Remove empty planters

  • Remove visible water hoses

  • Remove toys, sports balls, basketball goals, soccer goals, etc.

  • Do put American flag out if you wish
Back Yard / Decks / Docks
  • Clean porch, tidy up outdoor tables/chairs/cushions

  • Clear out toys, balls, frisbees, etc.

  • Clean pool

  • Remove pool vacuum/cleaner hose if possible

  • Hide pool cleaning supplies

  • Turn on pool fountains/hot tub/water features

  • Remove visible water hoses

  • Remove trash cans

  • Fire pits should be lit if evening photography
    is being provided
Kitchen
Kitchen
    Property for Sale:

  • Simplify countertops. Remove some items like food, knife blocks, any bulky items that take too much counter space and remove small items, like salt/pepper shakers because they will look lost. Remove items that do not belong on the kitchen counter. Please leave a couple of small appliances and decorative pieces, if desired. You may clear your contertops completley if you wish, but it will look better styled with a few decorative items, fruit bowl and greenery or flowers.


  • Clear outside of refrigerator of magnets, papers, photos, etc. Clear off the top of the refrigerator. No food or cereal boxes on top. Use green artificial plant on top of the fridge if space allows or leave empty

  • Hide garbage cans in pantry or closet

  • Clear in and around the kitchen sink. Remove paper towels, sponges, soaps, dish drainer

  • Clean stainless steel appliances of fingerprints or smudges if needed

    Property for Rent:

  • Please do all of the above but keep items provided for renters visible on the countertops if you wish (such as coffee maker, toaster, blender, utensils, etc.
Living Room & Family Room
Living Room & Family Room
  • Remove stacks of magazines, papers, mail, hide remote controls, hide drink coasters etc.

  • De-clutter fireplace mantel/hearth

  • Do not block fireplace with furniture

  • Fluff and arrange furniture pillows

  • Remove kids and pet toys. Check underneath the furniture to make sure nothing is underneath that can be visible
Bedrooms
Master Bedroom
  • Make all beds. It will look better if pillows are not covered with bedspread. Bring pillows on top of the bedspread, sit them against the headboard, add decorative pillows. Make sure the bedspread is large enough if possible, it doesn't look good when you can see mattress from underneath the bedspread. Fresh bedding is what makes bedrooms look good. Buy new inexpensive set if needed

  • Clear nightstands of all personal items especially phone chargers

  • Remove all clutter from tops of dressers including bottles of perfume or toiletries, they tend to get lost in photos, but please leave decorative pieces

  • Clear under the beds, removing items that may show in the photos
Kid Rooms & Guest Rooms
  • Remove personalized names from walls if you wish

  • Remove wall stickers/posters

  • Make beds. Pay attention to bunk beds to make sure blankets or bedspreads do not overhang

  • Clean under beds, removing items that may show in the photos
Bathrooms
Bathrooms
    Property for Sale:

  • Clear countertops completely. if possible. Too many toiletries will make bathroom look small. Please remove soaps, toothbrushes, medications, deodorant, etc.

  • Put toilet seats down

  • Close closet doors

  • Remove shampoo, soaps, loofahs, razors etc. from showers and tubs

  • Remove used towels, leave out only fresh, unused towels

  • Remove floor mats, wipe mirror of water drops. Wipe shower doors and sinks of water drops

    Property for Rent:

  • Please do all of the above but keep supplies provided for renters visible if you wish
Pets
Pets
  • Place food and water bowls in pantry or closet

  • Place pet beds/toys in pantry or closet

  • Use lint roller on furniture to remove pet hair if desired but sometimes pet fur doesn't show in photos

  • Please take dogs out for a walk during the photo session. Old/sick dogs may stay in the house but they may not be left unattended. Cats - they do not hide under beds. When photographer comes in - cats come out. Please be present during photo session if possible to help keeps cats out of photos. We will not photoshop pets out of photos - please make sure they are not present in the room that is being photographed.

  • Clear back yard of pet waste/toys
Holidays
Holiday Decorations
Holiday decorations can quickly date your real estate photos. Please minimize the amount of seasonal decor. But it is not our requirement to remove it.
Twilight Photography
Twilight Prep
Twilight photography is impressive and creates a dramatic presentation. Here are some tips to help achieve the best results. These tips are in addition to the Front Exterior tips previously covered. Dusk/Twilight photo session begins at sunset time. Time depends on seasons.

  • Turn on all exterior AND interior lights

  • Open blinds and/or window treatments

  • Keep windows clear

  • Visible outdoor fire pits or fireplaces should be lit

  • Turn on landscape lights

  • Make sure pool lighting is operational

  • Ensure timers are working and operating prior to the shoot

  • Replace burned out bulbs or broken fixtures

  • Turn on pool lights and patio lights for pool/patio shoots

  • Test lights prior to arrival and reschedule if needed
  • Hot tub must be open prior to photographer's arrival

    • 30 minutes prior to photographer's arrival please do the following:

  • If you are present for the photo session, please move all vehicles out of the driveway, hide trashcan in the garage, please do not leave it out

  • Please turn on all lights and lamps in the entire house. Please ensure all lamps are plugged in and have working lightbulbs. No need for lightbulbs of the same color temperature, any lightbulbs will work. If you are not present, photographer will turn the lights on

  • Open all light blocking curtains, turn blinds to open. Keep the windows open, photographer will close if the view outside is not pleasing

  • Turn off TVs, all ceiling fans and any other moving objects. Turn off the music

  • Unplug all wall air fresheners, BLOW OUT ALL CANDLES (SAFETY)

  • Remove or hide pets. While having animals can truly bring life to any real estate photographic session, they can also distract the viewers from focusing on the real star of the shoot- your property. Hide all pets related items, bowls, toys, beds, leashes.

  • Put toilets lids down in each bathroom, hide all toiletries (especially toothbrushes), hide plungers and toilet bowl brushes, please check that you have fresh towels on towel racks, no any personal items hanging on doors, remove scales, sponges etc. Clear everything around kitchen sink that does not relate to decor, leave decorative items only

  • If there is a special circumstance, let's discuss ahead of time so we can plan accordingly


    • Thank you for your understanding and cooperation!

    • It is important that the house is ready prior to photographer's arrival. This preparation ensures that we can focus on creating top-notch images without worrying about rearranging furniture or other tasks. As much as we would love to help with such tasks, due to the commitments of photographing multiple properties we cannot stay in your home for an extended period of time. If you think that your home will not be ready before appointment, please contact us so that we can reschedule. This will ensure that the shoot is successful and you have the best possible images! We can be reached at 443-614-5957 - call or text

    Svetlana Leahy Photography
    443-614-5957
    svetlanaleahy@gmail.com
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