PHOTOGRAPHY PREP CHECKLIST
Our goal is to photograph your home with the highest quality that will wow buyers and attract offers. To ensure your photoshoot goes smoothly and safely, we’ve put together this preparation checklist of things you should do prior to your scheduled shoot.
General Prep
• Be shoot-ready: Cleaning and staging needs to be done before we arrive, preferably the day
before your photoshoot. We may move small items (flowers, small pictures, etc.) to improve photo
composition, but larger items need to be in place before we arrive, and staging accessories need to be
in place as well.
• Secure or remove pets: we love pets but we can’t have them around for your photoshoot. Dogs must be secured or off the property to ensure the safety of everyone and our equipment. It's also a good idea to hide pet food and waterbowls as well.
• Plan not to be seen: All occupants should plan on either being off the property or remain in areas where they can't be seen during the photoshoot. Rooms overlap in the photos, people can cause shadows and reflections, and there is risk to equipment that will be setup throughout the property.
• Use the garage for storage: we normally don’t shoot garages, so this is a great place to store items you’d like to hide.
​
​
Outside Prep
• Hide trashcans: Trashcans can be placed on the side of the property or in the garage.
• Turn off sprinklers: Do not water the day of the shoot to prevent puddles on pavement.
​
• Clear the cars: Make sure no cars are in the driveway. If possible, also move cars from the
street in front of the home. We want as clear a view as possible of your property.
• Hide hoses: Do this the day before the shoot since hoses can drip water onto the pavement
• Prep the yard: Do at least 24 hours prior to your photoshoot. Yard should me mowed and cleared of any toys, tools, etc.
• Prep pool and spa: If you have a pool and/or spa, please have them clean with covers
removed. For spas, provide instructions to the realtor on how to turn it on.
• Prep water features: If you have fountains, waterfalls, etc., please clean them and provide
instructions to the realtor on how to turn them on.
• Remove for-sale sign: The for-sale sign should be removed from the property (if possible) by
the realtor if it has already been installed. It’s best to schedule sign installation for after the photoshoot.
• Clean patio furniture: Dust and remove cobwebs from all outdoor furniture. Do not hose down
your furniture the day of your shoot, since this can create puddles.
​
​
Inside Prep
• Declutter kitchen: A few items on the counters are usually fine, but dishes, sponges, rags, etc.
should be put away. It's best to remove all magnets, pictures, etc. from the refrigerator and remove
throw rugs from the floor.
• Declutter bathrooms: Toothpaste, toothbrushes, razors, and other "personal" items should be
hidden. Decorative unused soaps, candles, flowers, etc. are preferred. It’s also good to remove all
throw rugs from the floor.
• Prep bedrooms: All bedrooms should have their beds made and items put away.
• Hide trashcans: Trashcans can distract so it’s best to hide all of them in closets or the garage.
• Clear entryways: Remove all shoes, umbrellas, and similar items from entryways.
• Turn off ceiling fans: Before we arrive, please make sure all ceiling fans are turned off.
• Hide cords and remotes: Sometimes electrical cords can’t be hidden, but you will have more
appealing pictures if you can hide TV remotes, game consoles, and any noticeable cords.
• Open blinds with views: Your indoor photos will show outdoor views if there are views, or just
light if a window looks onto a neighbor or other unappealing view.
• Please replace all burned-out bulbs before the photoshoot.
​
Twilight Prep
​
If you’ve scheduled a twilight shoot the following are additional items to prepare before we arrive. Note
that twilights have tight schedules to ensure optimal lighting, so please make sure all of these items
are ready before we arrive.
​
• Turn on all interior and exterior lights: All lights throughout the property need to be turned
on. Please replace all burned-out bulbs at least 24 hours before the photoshoot.
• Turn on spas and remove covers: If you have a spa, remove the cover, and turn it before we arrive. Turn on the lights in the spa as well.
• Turn on pool lights: If you have a pool, turn on the pool lights before we arrive.
​
• Turn on water features: If you have fountains, waterfalls, or similar water features, please turn them on before we arrive.
​
​
Thank you for your time and patience for going through this checklist! If you have any questions, or need any additional information, please contact us anytime at info@wvmedia.ca
​
​