Real estate photography pre-shoot checklist.
Prepare the home before your photographer arrives: clear counters, clean floors and windows, make beds, hide personal items, turn on lights, and move vehicles out of view. Use this room-by-room prep list the day before the shoot, then make one final walkthrough.
By the Flylisted team. For sellers, listing agents, and property managers.
Exterior
- Manicure the lawn, remove dead plants, trim bushes
- Power wash driveway and walkways if needed
- Remove trash cans, recycling bins, and garden hoses
- Park all vehicles in the garage or off-site
- Close all windows and doors
- Take down decorations, flags, and seasonal lights
Lighting
- Turn on every interior light
- Replace any burnt-out bulbs ahead of time
- Turn on exterior landscape lights for evening shoots
Kitchen and dining
- Clear counters and tuck away small appliances
- Wipe cabinets and align handles
- Remove magnets, papers, and clutter from the refrigerator
- Clean the sink and fixtures
- Make sure the table surface is clear
Bedrooms
- Clear floor clutter
- Make every bed neatly with clean linens
- Close closet doors (organize them if visible)
- Hide personal hygiene items
Bathrooms
- Arrange clean towels neatly
- Hide trash cans, plungers, and toilet scrubbers
- Remove floor mats, close the toilet seat, and replace toilet paper
- Clear hygiene products, soap, medications, and toothbrushes from counters
- Remove shampoos, razors, and loofahs from the shower; close the curtain or door
Living and family rooms
- Vacuum, sweep, mop
- Tidy couches, fluff pillows, declutter tables and desks
- Dust screens
- Sweep wood floors
Before the photographer arrives
- The day before: finish cleaning, declutter rooms, replace failed bulbs, and check exterior areas.
- Before the appointment: turn on lights, stop ceiling fans, remove vehicles from the driveway, and open access to every space being photographed.
- Secure pets, arrange access instructions, and let your agent know about any areas that should not be photographed.
- Remove visible mail, family photos, medication, valuables, and other private information from the frame.
Prep checklist or photography shot list?
A prep checklist gets the home ready. A shot list tells the photographer what must be covered. Share the property's key selling features with your agent and photographer: exterior approach, living spaces, kitchen, primary suite, outdoor areas, views, and distinctive features. Confirm any aerial, twilight, floor-plan, or video requirements before shoot day.
We don't clean homes or move personal items.
Flylisted does light staging on the day, but the property needs to be shoot-ready when we arrive. If we have to come back because the property wasn't ready, the return charge is $150.
Call or text 603-413-8007 or email info@flylisted.com.