Photography Day Checklist

Dan’s Personal Photography Day Checklist for Sellers

(coming from an Artist eye and a Realtor eye too)

Please checkout my First Impression List

Preparing for a photography day can be quite the task for sellers. To ensure a smooth and successful session, use this comprehensive checklist to cover all your bases. To help your home stand out, Dan is excited to offer you a professional photography and a 3D virtual tour. But Dan will need your help to ensure your home makes a great first impression on potential buyers. These are Dan’s top listing prep recommendations to follow before your home is photographed, and while it’s being listed publicly for sale.

Your property will be photographed as-is when our photographer arrives. No one will be moving anything during the photo shoot.

Before the Photography Day

1. Organize and Declutter Your Home:

Ensure all areas are clean, polished, and ready for photos.
Please turn all fans off for pictures. If they are on, it will cause a blur.
Check that all lights match. Day, Warm, and so on. Each space needs to have the same color tone throughout the same room.
Put away personal items, like family photos and religious symbols.
Organize children’s toys and pack away non-essentials.
Remove unwanted items that are taking up space in cupboards, pantry, and closets.
Use the garage as a temporary moving space. You are going to be moving soon, so all of the extra items go into the organized moving designated area in the garage.
Remove or rearrange furniture to open up cluttered rooms.
Remove or replace rugs with wear, tear, or pet stains.
Wrap or remove excess cords so they are along walls or out of sight.
Put away pet items, including food / water bowls, crates, toys, etc.
Dust all of the ceiling fan blades and light kits.
Dust all of the vents.
Kitchen / Dining / Breakfast room:
Remove everything from the top of the stove or range.
Remove everything that may be attached to the refrigerator. Magnets, photos, kids artwork, etc.
Remove double coffee makers or double toasters and so on.
Remove all non-decorative items from counters (phones, cleaning supplies, etc.)
Clean sink and appliances, including oven, microwave, dishwasher, and fridge.
WD-40 works great on a freshly cleaned, free of wet water and dry, stainless steel finishes.
sweep and mop floors. These pictures will capture everything...
Remove kitchen towels from handle on the dishwasher, near sink on handle, or anywhere. No kitchen towels out.
Living rooms / Lofts / Game rooms:
Less is more, so if there is too much furniture please relocate some of it to the garage, for temporary storage.
Bathrooms
Wipe down countertops, mirrors, all glass, and fixtures.
Clean and sanitize the sink, toilet, shower / tub.
Sweep and mop floor.
Keep toilet seats down and remove non-decorative items.
Replace bath mat and shower curtain, if needed.
Remove toiletries from shower / tub (door / curtains are often opened during the showings too).
Bedrooms and Common Areas
Ensure that all lights bulbs work and are the same color tone.
Dust vents and ceiling fans.
Clean window interiors and baseboards.
Wipe down any stained walls with a hot towel. Typically near the wall switches.
Wipe down baseboards with a hot towel to remove dust and debris, if needed.
touch up any paint damage to walls, doors, baseboards, and frames.
Spot treat any pet stains on carpet or floors, if needed.
Sweep / mop floors and or vacuum carpet.
Have carpets professionally steam cleaned and deodorized, if needed.
In general, keep rooms clean and tidy.

Exterior

Tidy up and remove weeds from flower beds and gardens.
Ensure your lawn is freshly mowed, edged, and debris blown away.
Discard any extra items that are being stored outside or relocate to the designated moving area in the garage.
Pick up pet waste, please throughout the duration of the showing of the home also.
Consider adding fresh mulch and flowers to improve curb appeal.
A freshly potted plant or flowers near the sidewalk to the entrance is always nice.
Power wash driveway and walkways, if needed.
Take down flags, put away water hoses, and tidy up the pool or spa area, if needed.
Add a fresh welcome door mat at the entrance to greet visitors.

2. Plan the Layout:

Please remove any vehicles from the driveway before our photographer’s arrival.
Decide on backgrounds and props that match your home style aesthetic.
Create a shot list notes for the photographer to prioritize which areas or any specifics of the property need more detailed photos.

3. Coordinate with the Photographer and or with Dan:

Confirm the schedule and location.
Discuss the style and mood you want to convey in the photos.
Share the shot list and any specific angles or features to highlight.
Look up the future weather reports for the picture day and reschedule if needed.
Delays require a minimum of 24 hours prior notice or Dan will be charged a 25% fee, if your shoot is canceled or rescheduled after 5 PM the day before the photo shoot and Dan will likely ask to be reimbursed, by you the seller. Please let me know sooner rather than later.
1. If you're not ready or are going to do more repairs, please cancel the appointment. We'll both be better off.

4. Prepare the Space:

Ensure ample lighting, whether natural or artificial.
Open the drapes and blinds or shades.
Turn all lights on, including under the microwave and lamps throughout the home.
Set up a clean and clutter-free home for the shoot.
Let the next door neighbors on both sides know about the scheduled shoot so that they can ensure their yards are clean, cars are out of the driveway, and garage doors are closed.
Remove all holiday decor - examples include pumpkins, Christmas trees, menorahs, Christmas lights, wreaths from the front door, etc.
If available, place minimal unobtrusive decorative items on counters and tables - examples include fresh flowers, bowls of fresh fruit, pottery, vases, and new candles. Lite staging is best, like matching bath towels in the bathrooms.
Ensure that no vehicles are in the driveway or on the street in front of the home Close garage doors Make sure driveway is clean and clear.

On the day before Photography Day

Please note Dan will be charged a 25% cancellation fee if your shoot is canceled or rescheduled after 5 PM the day before the photo shoot.
No one likes to pay extra for things.
If you haven’t completed everything we need to do, we need to reschedule.
There’s no way around it.
If we have to send out the photographer a second time for things you decide to do later on, Dan has to pay another full round of photographer fees, at the same price as the first time.
It’s best to complete every single thing you are willing to do, upfront, the first time.

On the Photography Day

1. Set Up Early:

If need be, arrive ahead of schedule to set up the home lights, ceiling fans off, blinds and shades open and organize what need be.
Open bedroom doors and close all closet doors.
Close garage doors.
Put away garbage bins so they are out of site.
Do not plan picture day on a trash day. If it is, we need to reschedule with the photographer.
Remove all pets and evidence of pets throughout the home.
Set the thermostat to a comfortable temperature for the photographer.
Ensure all items are ready for the photographer before they arrive and please remove any remaining items you do not want in your home’s photography; remember your home will be photographed the way you leave it.
Note: The photographers may arrive as early as 10 minutes before or 10 minutes after the scheduled time.
Zillow Interactive Floor Plans will be delivered by 5:00PM (2) business day after the shoot. The photographer will deliver all other services by 5:00PM (1) business day after the shoot Monday through Friday, not on the weekends.
Typical on site time for the photographer is 1 to 1.5 hours for 1500 - 2500 SqFt. homes. Homes larger than this will take longer.
The photographers Dan use have been photographing properties for 15,000+ real estate agents over the last 8 years. They are experienced in which listing images bring in the buyers. Below is a list of rooms they photograph and rooms they typically do not photograph.
Finally, let's check the weather to confirm the sky will be clear and the sun will be shining. Austin 10 Day Forecast Link

Rooms They Photograph

Both front and rear exterior facades
Patios, decks, balconies, yards
All interior common areas
Finished basement
Primary bedroom and bathroom
Finished laundry room

Rooms They Don't Photograph

Walk-in closets
Storage areas
Garage interiors
Unfinished basement
Utility rooms
Poorly finished laundry rooms
(unless requested!)

2. Review the Shots:

Dan will text or email you the property website after the shoot to review.
Provide feedback Dan or even directly, if you are on the property when the shoot is being taken, to the photographer to make real-time adjustments.

3. Maintain Picture Quality as you get close to picture day:

Frequently check items for dust or fingerprints and clean as necessary.
Make necessary adjustments to the layout or lighting as you progress.

After the Photography Day

1. Analyze the Results:

Review all images through the property website that Dan will text or email you.
Identify any areas of the home or property that may require reshoots and reschedule with the photographer.

2. Post-Production:

Work with the photographer on any required edits or enhancements.
Ensure consistency in lighting, color, and style across all images.

3. Update Listings:

Upload any new photos to MLS and property website.
Update product descriptions and details as necessary to match the new images or any updates as we progress.

By following this checklist, sellers can ensure a successful and productive photography day, resulting in high-quality images that effectively showcase their home and help drive offers and eventual sales.

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