Long before anyone walks through your front door, they have scrolled through your listing on a phone. The photos decide whether they keep scrolling or schedule a showing. Preparing your home for the camera is one of the highest-value afternoons in the whole selling process.
What each format does
Still photos remain the foundation of every listing. They are what buyers see first in search results and what they share with friends and family.
Video walkthroughs show flow: how the kitchen opens to the living room, how the stairs land, how the yard connects to the back door. They are especially helpful for buyers relocating from a distance.
3D or virtual tours let buyers move through rooms at their own pace and revisit details, like the size of a closet or the placement of windows. They often reduce the number of showings from people who would not have been a fit.
Floor plans answer the question photos cannot: how the rooms relate and how big they really are.
Aerial images, where appropriate, show the lot, the roof and the setting. Aerial photography is regulated, so leave it to a photographer who handles the requirements.
Preparing the inside
- Clear every counter and surface. Keep one or two simple objects at most.
- Open all blinds and curtains and turn on every light, including lamps and under-cabinet lighting. Replace burned-out or mismatched bulbs.
- Hide cords, chargers, remotes, trash cans, pet bowls and bathroom toiletries.
- Make beds with smooth, neutral bedding and put out fresh towels.
- Remove personal photos and documents. This is partly for staging and partly for your own privacy, since listing photos stay online for a long time.
- Close toilet lids, shower curtains open, and closet doors shut.
Preparing the outside
- Move cars out of the driveway and off the street in front of the house.
- Coil hoses, store bins and toys, and sweep walkways and the porch.
- Mow, edge and put out patio cushions if the weather allows.
- Clean the front door and windows; smudged glass shows up in photos.
On the day
Ask your agent what time the photographer prefers; the sun’s position matters for a front-facing house. Have pets out of the home or secured, and plan to step out so the photographer can work without interruption. Resist the urge to put things back during the shoot. If something is being repaired, ask whether it is better to wait a few days than to photograph the home with a gap.
A word on accuracy
Good photos show a home at its best, but they should still show the home. Wide-angle lenses that make a room look twice its size, or edits that remove power lines and add a blue sky, can leave buyers disappointed at the door. Honest, well-lit, carefully composed images bring the right buyers, and the right buyers are the ones who make offers.
A Room-by-Room Camera Checklist
Photographers can only capture what is in front of them. A final pass through each room right before the shoot catches the details that are easy to miss.
Kitchen
- Clear the counters except for one or two simple items, such as a bowl of fruit or a cutting board.
- Remove magnets, papers and photos from the refrigerator.
- Hide dish soap, sponges, dish towels and the dish rack.
- Wipe stainless steel appliances to remove fingerprints.
Living areas
- Fluff and straighten pillows and fold any throws neatly.
- Remove remotes, game controllers, magazines and cords.
- Pull furniture slightly away from walls if it helps the room look more open.
- Turn off the television and ceiling fans so they do not blur.
Bedrooms
- Clear nightstands except for a lamp.
- Store laundry baskets and items under the bed.
- Straighten blinds so slats are even.
Bathrooms
- Remove all toiletries, razors, toothbrushes and bath mats.
- Hang one or two matching towels neatly.
- Polish mirrors and fixtures.
Getting Ready for Video and 3D Tours
Video and 3D tours capture more of the home than still photos do, which means preparation has to go further.
- Every room is visible. In a 3D tour, buyers can turn and look anywhere. Closets, laundry rooms and hallways need the same attention as the main rooms.
- Mirrors reflect the camera. Be ready for the photographer to adjust angles, and do not stand where you might appear in a reflection.
- Movement shows up. Turn off ceiling fans, keep pets out, and close doors to rooms that are not part of the tour, if the photographer requests it.
- Clutter can be frozen in place. A 3D scan is usually captured in one session. Anything left out will stay visible for the life of the listing.
Mistakes That Show Up in Listing Photos
- Personal items in plain view. Mail, calendars, children’s names and family photos are best put away.
- Mixed light colors. Bulbs of different color temperatures can make a room look uneven. Use matching bulbs where you can.
- Dark rooms. Even with professional equipment, a dim room photographs better when every light is on and every window is uncovered.
- Cars and trash cans out front. These often end up in exterior shots unless they are moved.
- Rushing before repairs are done. Fresh paint and finished repairs photograph far better than a project in progress.
Planning the Shoot Around the Weather and Season
In North Georgia, spring can bring bright sun one day and steady rain the next, along with a heavy layer of pollen on porches, cars and windows. A few planning steps help the exterior look its best:
- Watch the forecast with your agent and be ready to shift exterior photos to a clearer day if needed.
- Rinse pollen off the porch, railings, front steps and outdoor furniture the day before, and again that morning if it builds up.
- Wipe down exterior windows and the front door glass, which show pollen and water spots clearly in photos.
- If the lawn has not greened up yet, keep it neatly mowed and edged. A tidy dormant lawn still looks cared for.
Photo Questions Sellers Ask
Should I be home during the photo session?
You can be on hand to answer a question or two, but most photographers work faster without people in the home.
Can photos be retaken later?
Sometimes, such as when the yard greens up or a project is finished. Ask your agent whether updated photos would help.
What about seasonal décor?
Keep it minimal. Listing photos may be viewed for weeks or months, and heavy holiday décor can make the listing look dated.
