Photo Prep Guide
Getting ready
for your photos.
A room-by-room guide to getting a home or rental camera-ready. Choose who you are, and the checklist below updates to match your guide.
Which describes you?
Neutralize your space as much as possible. Buyers respond best to homes that feel like they could be their own, not homes that feel like someone else’s.
Make your space feel guest-ready, not lived-in. Guests book stays they can picture themselves enjoying, so every room should look fresh, inviting and ready for their arrival.
Start Here
Your six priorities.Your three priorities.
Short on time? Focus on these and you'll be in great shape.
Clean like it's spring cleaning, including the spots you usually skip: ceiling fans, baseboards and window sills.
Leave just 1–3 styling items per surface. Clear counters make every room look larger.
Put away family photos, mail and anything you'd rather not have online. Normal art and decor can stay.
Move cars off the driveway and out of the garage, roll trash cans out of sight and secure pets.
Make every bulb work and match in color (ideally 2700–5500K). It makes a huge difference on camera.
Corners are where I stand to capture each room, so keep them as open as you can.
Clean like it's spring cleaning, including the spots you usually skip: ceiling fans, baseboards and window sills.
Move cars off the driveway and out of the garage and roll trash cans out of sight.
Corners are where I stand to capture each room, so keep them as open as you can.
The Finishing Touches
What looks good on camera.
Heads Up
What the camera exaggerates.
Some things look minor in person but stand out in photos. Give these extra attention.
Window Treatments
Blinds, curtains + shower curtains.
How these are set changes how bright, open and balanced a room looks. Here's how to leave them before I arrive.
Blinds + shades
Raise blinds all the way up so the full window shows and the most light comes in.
Raise blinds halfway and tilt the blades flat and open, so light still comes through the covered part.
Raise roman shades all the way, so the folds stack neatly at the top of the window.
Curtains
Open them to each side of the window and space the pleats evenly, so both sides match.
Push a single panel to one side and let the pleats fall evenly. On matching windows, like either side of a fireplace, pull the left curtain left and the right curtain right so the wall feels balanced.
Shower curtains
Leave it open to show off a nice showerhead, a grab bar or other premium features.
If the showerhead is basic and there are no special features, close it neatly with even folds.
Or pull it to the center or about two-thirds of the way across, with the folds evenly spaced.
If It's in Your Budget
Small updates, big difference.
- Repaint in a neutral gray that leans warm or cool to complement your flooring’s tone
- Swap mismatched bulbs so every room glows the same color
- Update switch plates, knobs and pulls for a consistent look
- For curb appeal, fresh mulch, a freshly painted front door and a power wash of the siding, driveway and walkways are the best budget-friendly ways to make a great first impression
- If you repaint, avoid gloss finishes, dark colors and vivid shades. They all photograph poorly: they exaggerate roller lines and look washed out in images
Show Off Your Amenities
Make sure nothing gets missed.
- Set out anything you want shown. If there are games, fire pit and s'mores supplies, beach gear or other extras you'd like photographed, leave them out where I can see them so nothing you care about stays tucked away in a closet
- Take the covers off. Remove covers from patio furniture, grills, hot tubs and pools so guests can see exactly what they're booking
Room by Room
The checklist.
Tap each item to check it off as you go.
Take It With You
Download the printable guide.
The same checklist as a 2-page PDF, perfect for printing or sharing with your sellers.
The same checklist as a 2-page PDF, perfect for printing or sharing with your cleaner or co-host.
Hosting a rental instead? Get the STR Host Guide
Selling a home instead? Get the Seller's Guide
Questions?
Not sure what to prep?
Call or text, and I'll help you decide what's worth doing before your shoot.