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
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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
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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 saleShould 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 -
Expose all windows and nicely wrap any blind cables and stylize the drapes
Turn on all the lights and hide any lamp cords the best you can
Dust TVs and counters
Streak-free clean windows, TVs, mirrors & appliances
Vacuum/Sweep and mop
Declutter and wipe down all counters. The more minimalistic (no cables) the more clean it looks
Push in all dining chairs evenly
Hide clutter in a closet that will not be photographed (mention this to photographer)
Remove distractions, such as hire a nanny if you have kids or keep pets away
Ceiling fans turned off
Check for locked doors to prevent photographer from getting locked out but still having access to all the rooms for photos
Pillows shaped nicely or karate chopped
Trash cans empty or removed from room scene
Toilet paper rolled up nicely and toiletries (like, tooth brushes, etc) removed from scene
Toilet seats down
If possible, temporarily have cars parked out of driveway/garage for exterior shots
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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 necessaryHelpful- 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! -
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!
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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.
