How to prepare your home for property photography
You don’t need to turn your home into a furniture showroom before I arrive. But a bit of preparation makes a real difference to what we can photograph.
The aim is simple: let people see the rooms, the light and the space without their attention landing on the washing basket in the corner. Here’s where I’d put the effort.
Start with the things that take up visual space
Clear kitchen counters enough to show the working area. Put away the dishes, cleaning bottles and loose paperwork. A kettle or a few everyday items are fine. We’re still photographing a home.
In bedrooms, make the beds, straighten the bedding and move laundry out of sight. In bathrooms, put away toiletries, cleaning products and bathmats that make the floor look busy. Close the toilet lids and give mirrors a wipe.
Clear surfaces first. It’s usually a more useful starting point than buying decorations or completely rearranging the house.
Let the windows do their job
Open curtains and blinds where appropriate, and clean noticeably marked glass. Check that lights work before the shoot. If a globe needs replacing, doing it beforehand is easier than discovering it once we’re ready to photograph the room.
Let me know if there’s a particular view or a room that gets lovely light at a certain time. We can discuss that when planning the booking rather than hoping the timing works on the day.
Don’t forget outside
Tidy the entrance, sweep the patio and put bins, hoses and garden tools away. If there’s a pool, remove the cleaning equipment where practical and make sure the surrounding area is ready.
Move vehicles if they block the view of the house and there’s a safe, suitable place to park them. The approach to a property matters too, especially when it’s one of the first photographs a buyer sees.
Get the property ready before the camera comes out. It gives us more time to concentrate on the photographs.
Keep personal items and access in mind
Put away valuables, private documents and anything you don’t want appearing online. Decide beforehand what should happen with family photographs. Make a comfortable plan for pets so they aren’t stressed by someone moving between rooms.
If tenants occupy the property, confirm access and preparation with them in advance. Make sure the person meeting me has the keys and can open the rooms we need.
A quick check before I arrive
- Beds made and surfaces cleared.
- Bathrooms tidy and mirrors clean.
- Curtains open and lights checked.
- Entrance, garden and patio ready.
- Private items put away and access arranged.
Editing can improve lighting and colour, but it shouldn’t be the plan for hiding permanent problems or changing what the property actually offers. Clean and honest is the goal.
See examples in my property portfolio. When you’re ready, check the shoot details or WhatsApp me with the address and preferred date. Please allow at least 48 hours’ booking notice.
