LICENSED & INSURED
Sarasota / Manatee
Pinellas / Pasco
Polk / Hillsborough
North Carolina
336.494.6566
Home Preparation Checklist
Please make sure the property is ready for photos prior to the appointment.
Exterior
Photographer's
Note
Time and weather conditions
We don't recommend shooting too early in the morning or too late in the afternoon.
Shadows are good and provide contrast and depth to the facade of the home; however, we don't want too deep / long shadows, so we don't recommend to photograph homes before 9am or after 5 - 6pm (depending on time of the year).
As much as we love bright and sunny days, reality is (specially in Florida) overcast and partially cloudy days occur more often and even more during summer. The good news is that our editors are the best at sky-replacement and making sure that the photos turn out always bright and with good contrast and rich color.
Interior
IMPORTANT NOTE
The Photographer's role expertise is to capture the best angles of a space and adjusting camera and lens settings for the best and sharpest images. The Photographer is happy to help move a few items if needed, adjust a pillow, open up a blind, straighten a chair... but it's best if anything personal is handled by the homeowner or agent since they are more familiar with the home and know where everything goes or is stored. Plus we want to respect their privacy and prefer not to touch valued belongings, hygiene items or anything else that is personal.
The Photographer does not stage!
As long as the items on the checklist are followed the photos will come out perfect. Anything else, such as staging and decorations are mostly a matter of preference.
The Photographer's role and expertise is to capture the best angles of a space and adjusting camera and lens settings for the best and sharpest images. The Photographer is happy to help move a few items if needed, adjust a pillow, open up a blind, straighten a chair and give some ideas and direction, but it's best if anything personal is handled by the homeowner or agent since they are more familiar with the home and know where everything goes or is stored. Plus we want to respect their privacy and prefer not to touch valued belongings, hygiene items or anything else that is personal.
No cars in the driveway.
Front yard and back yard clear of trash, dead branches, etc.
Any signs put away (For Sale, home security)
Garden hoses rolled neatly.
Recycling / trash containers put away.
No holiday decorations (it dates the pictures).
Blow leaves and dirt off the driveway / walkway.
Preassure wash as needed.
Trees and bushes trimmed.
All lights on. Replace any burned out light bulbs before the photoshoot! Check table lamps, side lamps, desk lamps, shelf lights inside entertainment sets, etc. Lights under cabinets in the kitchen and over the sink and showers
All fans dusted. They will be kept off during the photoshoot
Area rugs removed
Hygiene products removed from sink counters, bathtub and showers
Magnets off the refrigerators
Windows, mirrors and TVs cleaned
Blinds dusted and even. Curtains open. We want the space to be as open and as bright as possible
Kitchen counter clear of toasters, blenders, countertop ovens or microwaves and any other bulky appliances. Hide paper towels, chargers and anything with cables. Limit to decorations that fill in the counters gently, hide anything that has strong colors or is distracting. A nice bowl with fresh fruit or small plant can be a nice decoration, but nothing that takes up too much space. The less the better! (Same for any other counters and tables in the house)
Trash cans put away
Toilet seats closed. Toilet paper rolled up nicely. No Cleanex boxes. No soap bars
Store away pet bowls, cages, accessories and toys
Keep personal items, photographs and / or anything of special value (such as jewelry, medicine, etc) stored away safely
If you'd like a picture of any closets, laundry room or garage please be sure it's clean and neatly organized. Same like the bathrooms, no hygiene products or tools
Home office space clear of clutter as much as possible (try to hide cables, paper, sticky notes, files, pens and any other office supplies)
Regulations for Real Estate Photo Edits
Can you just Photoshop this?
While we're happy, and highly skilled to make ANY changes you'd like us to do in any image, we simply encourage you to keep the MLS regulations in mind. Real Estate Agents are held liable and are fined for violations of such rules for image alterations.
Keep in mind also, there is an additional charge for extra Photoshop edits outside of the standard edits we already do. The cost will vary depending on: 1) Skill level and 2) Time spent
Photos and Video on MLS