How to prepare your home for professional photography
Professional photography is one of the key ways to ensure the best possible return and interest on your property when putting it to market. This is the first impression that any viewers and would-be buyers will have of your home, whether it is on the hight street, in a physical brochure or online, so getting it right first-time is of the utmost importance.
With that in mind, preparation is just as important as the final outcome - a messy, cluttered house will generate far less interest than a tidy, clean and well-kept home, so a little effort at this stage can, quite literally, pay dividends down the line.
Contrary to popular belief, you do not need to go out and spend money on staging props to make your home look its best - simply follow a few easy prompts and suggestions to make your home shine for its moment in the spotlight without spending a penny.
General ‘to-do’ list:
Hoover, mop and clean floors - whilst dust (generally) won’t show in photographs, dirty carpets, messy floors and staining will. It’s a great idea to run a hoover or mop around your house to ensure its nice and clean prior to the my arrival, as it gives the impression that your home is clean and well cared-for.
Windows - Not technically a ‘must do’ item, but clean windows let in more light than dirty, smeary glass, and if large windows and extensive glazing are a major part of your home’s appeal, then having your windows cleaned close to your appointment will make a big difference to the final photos.
Pets - We all love our pets, but they come with a scarcely-believable amount of clutter and items. It’s best to hide these out of the way (specifically items such as litter trays, cat towers, dog beds and toys) prior to photography taking place.
Personal effects - If there are any personal effects you do not want to be shown in the photographs (such as family portraits or keepsakes) either remove these if possible, or, in the case of larger framed pictures or items, just let me know at the time of photography that you’d like the item blurred in the final images.
Bulbs - ensure that there are no blown bulbs in the house, particularly for spotlights or statement lighting (think cabinet lighting) - it is worth nothing that not every agent likes lights to be switched on for the photographs, but this is an easy way to show pride in your house for the photographs.
Blinds and curtains - ensure all blinds and curtains are open for photography, this includes roman/shutter-style blinds.
Hallways / reception areas
Coats and bags - removing these is an easy way to make your home feel less cluttered. Similarly, hiding shoes out of shot is an easy ‘win’ on the path to presenting your home - the phrase ‘hiding not tidying’ may sound cliché, but it really is the truth here; if you can’t put it away in a cupboard/box/garage out of sight, hide it out of the room, have the photograph taken and then put it back.
Welcome mats/rugs - on a wooden floor, statement rugs can look fantastic, but if you have a number of welcome mats, floor rugs or other coverings, removing these in the photograph can not only open up the space visually, but also removes any thoughts by viewers about whether you are hiding stains/damage to the flooring.
Living room / Reception rooms
Cushions and pillows - ensure these are plumped and ‘fluffed up’ - if they are looking a bit sad and sorry for themselves, new cushion inserts are a cheap way to enhance the appearance of your soft furnishings, with the benefit of being transferrable to your new home.
Books, newspapers and other reading material - these should be hidden out-of-shot, or on a bookcase, as newspapers and magazines not only look cluttered, but can date the imagery. Cards, in a similar vein, should also be removed for the photography. ‘Coffee table’ books and art books are exempted from this, so long as they are purposefully displayed.
Christmas time - if you’re having your property photographed over the Christmas period, it is best to wait to decorate your house until after your appointment, or to remove the Christmas decorations for the duration of the photography session, to avoid instantly dating your photographs.
Fireplaces/log burners - please sweep up the hearth/area underneath the fire and remove any ash or debris. Do not light the fire until the room is ready to be photographed, and the fire will only need a fire lighter and a few balls of newspaper - it is more for show than heat!
Dining room
Tables - ensure the table is clear and tidy. If you wish to lay out plates/cutlery/etc for presentation, please feel free to do so, but generally this is not expected.
Home office working - if you use your dining room as a home office, please clear up any evidence of this for the photography session - we want to portray rooms being used for their intended use, however different your own personal use for the rooms may be.
Fireplaces - as per the point above for living rooms, if your dining room has a log burner or open fireplace, please set it with a fire lighter and some kindling or newspaper to light when the photographs are taking place.
Kitchen
Work surfaces - clean and wipe-down any work surfaces, particularly if you have a dark-coloured work surface such as granite, which looks its best with a deep shine.
Clutter - reduce the amount of clutter on your work surfaces as much as possible - hide condiments (unless on a rack), loose mugs, make sure utensils are put away properly, etc. If you can remove items such as baby bottle sterilisers, air fryers and the like, it always helps, but this is not necessary.
Cupboards - ensure all cupboards are closed neatly, and that there is no clutter dumped/visible on top of cupboards.
Ovens/cookers/washing machines - ensure that these appliances are free from any pots/pans on the top, and in the case of ovens and washing machines, please ensure they are empty and switched off. Viewers don’t need to see your laundry being done!
Sinks - hide away the washing up liquid, sponges and any washing-up. Tip: you can hide items in the washing-up bowl or sink itself, and they will not be seen in the photos.
Office / Study
Note: Not all estate agents wish to showcase offices, unless they are purpose-built home offices, external buildings or a large bedroom being used as an office - it is best to discuss this with your agent ahead of your booking.
Screens - make sure all screens are off.
Desks - ensure all desks are clear and free of clutter, paperwork and general workday detritus.
Chairs - desk chairs should be tucked neatly underneath your desk, and this doubles as a great way to hide any waste paper bins underneath the desk.
Bedrooms
Bedding - ensure any beds are made neatly, with no half-covered duvets or mis-matched pillows. If possible, straighten the covers to minimise wrinkles, or go a step further and iron your duvet prior to photography.
Bedding colour - In an ideal world, all bedding for photography should be light-coloured and as plain as possible. If you have plain bedclothes, I strongly encourage fitting them for the photography session, but please do not buy any bedding just for the sake of photography.
Drawers and wardrobes - all drawers, wardrobes or cupboards should be closed neatly, and bedside tables should be free from any clutter or miscellaneous items such as bedtime creams, knick-knacks or books.
Laundry baskets - hide these out of the room for photography wherever possible.
Children’s rooms - these will always have a certain element of chaos (children will be children, after all) but tidy up as much as reasonably possible, ensuring the floors are as clear as you can get them.
Bathrooms
Toiletries and cosmetics - hide these out-of-sight in any way possible; in the bath is often an easy way to hide them from the camera! Surfaces covered in toiletries look cluttered and distracting.
Bath/shower screens - either fold these back (if of the concertina type) or ensure they are sparkling clean
Toilet bins and brushes - again, these should be hidden from the camera.
Towels, mats and soft furnishings - these should be hidden out-of-sight for the cleanest appearance wherever possible.
Gardens
Lawns / Grass - weather permitting, lawns should be cut a day or two before your appointment to have them looking their best.
Garden furniture - remove all covers from furniture, including BBQs and outdoor seating. If you have an outdoor dining table, setting up the umbrella is always a good idea, so long as the winds are not dangerously high.
Washing lines - if you have a rotary washing line, remove this and fold it out of sight.
Flower beds - wherever possible, weed flower beds to make them look their best, even if it is out of season.
Pools/tennis courts - if your property has a pool or tennis court, ensure the covers are removed, the net set up, and they are clean and free of leaves and debris
Front of house / driveway
Cars - remove all cars from the driveway at the time of photography. Depending on your situation, it may be best left until the end of the photography session, when all cars can be removed temporarily, the photographs taken, and then the cars put back. If your car/s can fit in your garage, then this is the easiest course of action and will ensure they aren’t seen through the windows of any internal photographs.
Bins - hide any waste or recycling bins out of shot.
Garage doors - ensure these are closed.