Real Estate Photography Prep List

The official prep list for real estate agents and developers to prepare for professional photography

Introduction: Real Estate Photography Prep

Chances are, you are looking to hire or already hired a professional real estate photographer to take photos of a property you represent and you need a prep list so that the photos look bright, clean, minimalistic, styled, and decluttered. If you haven’t yet, I recommend you start by hiring a professional interior decorator in your area to help your space stand out and your buyers can get a visual and feel of how their furniture can fit in the rooms. A day or two before the photoshoot, plan to hire a local cleaning crew to get the space looking fresh and dust-free. Your interior designer can walk-thru with final touch ups on the week leading up to the photoshoot.

When a space is professionally designed, cleaned, and organized, your photographer can capture it and help sell your property faster than a space with little care for design, dirty and cluttered.

About the New Jersey Real Estate Photographer

Hello!

I am Miranda Suess, a Jersey City based New Jersey (NJ) professional photographer. I am sharing helpful tips to prepare you for your upcoming commercial or home interior design/architectural/real estate photos. I serve most locations in New Jersey.

How to Prep for Real Estate Photos

• Make a list

  At the time of booking your real estate photos, have a list prepared of all the rooms, amenities, features, exterior and interior shots you are expecting

• Who to hire

  Not required, but highly recommended

  
  Prepare for real estate photos by hiring a cleaning crew and a professional interior designer to stylize your space(s) for sale

  Should I hire a real estate videographer?

  
  The answer is simple, it’s yes. Try and find a local videographer who also has a drone license for those birds eye view shots and add a wow factor in selling the property

• Real estate pre shoot checklist

  1. Expose all windows and nicely wrap any blind cables and stylize the drapes

  2. Turn on all the lights and hide any lamp cords the best you can

  3. Dust TVs and counters

  4. Streak-free clean windows, TVs, mirrors & appliances

  5. Vacuum/Sweep and mop

  6. Declutter and wipe down all counters. The more minimalistic (no cables) the more clean it looks

  7. Push in all dining chairs evenly

  8. Hide clutter in a closet that will not be photographed (mention this to photographer)

  9. Remove distractions, such as hire a nanny if you have kids or keep pets away

  10. Ceiling fans turned off

  11. Check for locked doors to prevent photographer from getting locked out but still having access to all the rooms for photos

  12. Pillows shaped nicely or karate chopped

  13. Trash cans empty or removed from room scene

  14. Toilet paper rolled up nicely and toiletries (like, tooth brushes, etc) removed from scene

  15. Toilet seats down

  16. If possible, temporarily have cars parked out of driveway/garage for exterior shots

• Ettiquette

  Grand tour

  As soon as the photographer arrives, access to the property should come easy - please be early to welcome your photographer and provide a tour and specify any requests.
  
  Distraction free
  
  Allow time for the photographer to setup gear and take their time to take photos without any distractions.
  
  Be available for questions/assistance
  
  Please be available in case they have questions and to help turn off lights/clean/declutter/lock doors when necessary
  

  Helpful- Handy supplies
  
  It may be helpful to keep microfiber hand towels, duster, a swiffer mop & pads, windex, paper towel roll, toilet paper roll, hand sanitizer, trash bag, counter cleaner for shine and stainless steel cleaner handy!

• How long will photographer take?

  Depending on the size of the property, will determine how long the process can take for photos. Some photographers can photograph a commercial property within 4 hours or half a day and a real estate photographer can capture a two-bedroom apartment within 30 minutes. It is case by case!

• What to expect after the photos are taken?

  Every photographer is different on the way they operate. So please check your contract or ask them directly.
  
  I guarantee my real estate photos edited, unwatermarked, and ready for digital download within three weeks from the real estate photoshoot.