Ready! Set! Photograph!
Seller’s Guide to Getting Your Home Ready for Professional Photos
What should you do to prepare your home before the photographer arrives?
Getting your home photo‑ready is one of the most powerful things you can do to attract buyers and help sell your home fast. Professional real estate photos are often the first impression buyers have of your property — and you want that first impression to be a great one.
Why Preparing for Photos Matters
Today’s buyers scroll online listings before ever stepping foot inside a home. Great photos help your listing stand out, generate more showings, and often lead to quicker offers at stronger prices. But if a space looks cluttered, dark, or poorly styled, the photos can hurt buyer interest rather than help it.
Here’s how to prepare your home so your professional photographer can capture it at its best — and so you can maximize your sale.
1. Declutter Every Room
Clutter makes spaces look smaller and distracts buyers from noticing desirable features.
Remove excess items from countertops, tables, and shelves. Rule of thumb: all flat services should be nearly empty.
Clear out personal items like mail, laundry, and children’s toys.
Keep décor simple and neutral so buyers can envision their own life in the space.
Tip: Rent a storage unit or clear a garage corner to store extra furniture or accessories that make rooms look crowded.
2. Depersonalize Your Space
Buyers want to imagine themselves living in your home — not feel like they’re visiting someone else’s.
Pack away family photos, keepsakes, and personal artwork.
Remove personalized bathroom items and toiletries.
Choose simple, tasteful décor that enhances the space but doesn’t scream “this is mine.”
This step is a key home staging tip that often pays off with better‑performing photos and stronger buyer engagement.
3. Clean Everywhere — Yes, Everywhere
Professional photos work best in pristine spaces.
Wash windows inside and out for maximum natural light.
Vacuum and mop floors, and steam clean carpets if needed.
Wipe down baseboards, lighting fixtures, and any visible fingerprints.
Clean spaces look well maintained — and cameras pick up details your eye might overlook.
4. Maximize Light
Light makes photos look bright, inviting, and spacious.
Open all curtains and blinds before the photographer arrives.
Replace low‑wattage bulbs with brighter, daylight‑balanced bulbs. Make sure all bulbs in a room match.
Turn on all interior lights — even lamps — to eliminate shadows.
Natural light plus good interior lighting equals photos that pop.
5. Stage Key Rooms
Professional staging isn’t always necessary, but simple staging makes rooms look larger, fresh, and purposeful.
Focus staging on:
Living Room: Arrange seating to create conversation areas.
Kitchen: Clear countertops and add a small plant or bowl of fruit.
Primary Bedroom: Use fresh bedding and fluff pillows.
Bathrooms: Display fresh towels and remove personal products.NEW
These home staging tips help buyers instantly “get” the function of each room. Ask me about my staging services and how they can work for you.
6. Mind the Exterior
Don’t forget curb appeal — exterior photos are often what buyers see first.
Mow the lawn and trim bushes.
Sweep porches and walkways.
Add a pop of color with potted flowers or fresh mulch.
A tidy exterior sets the tone before buyers even step inside.
7. Tidy Your Pets’ Spaces
Pets are part of the family, but the camera doesn’t always appreciate their mess.
Put away pet dishes, toys, and litter boxes.
Make sure fur is vacuumed and floors are hair‑free.
If possible, have pets out of the house during the shoot.
Clean, pet‑free photos help buyers focus on your home — not the fur tumbleweed in the corner.
8. Communicate With Your Photographer
If you have features you love (a fireplace, built‑in shelving, a great backyard), let your photographer know. They can capture those highlights more intentionally.
Ask:
Which areas should you focus on before they arrive?
Do they recommend moving furniture?
What time of day is best for light?
Good communication ensures your home’s best features shine in the photos. Part of my job as your listing agent is to be on site during photos, helping the photographer by moving trash cans, ensuring toilet lids are down, and each space is ready.
Final Takeaway
Preparing your home for professional photography doesn’t have to be stressful — but it does require thoughtful planning. A little effort goes a long way toward beautiful photos that attract buyers, increase showings, and help you sell your home fast.
If you take the time to declutter, depersonalize, clean, stage, and optimize lighting, your listing photos will tell a compelling story — one buyers won’t want to scroll past.
