Get Your Home Photo-Ready: Real Estate Photography Checklist

Selling your home is like going on a first date—you want to make a great first impression. And in today’s market, that first impression happens online, long before a buyer steps foot through your front door. That’s why professional real estate photography is such a game-changer. A well-shot listing can make your home look like it belongs in a glossy magazine (or at least not like it belongs on a “before” episode of an HGTV makeover show).

But here’s the thing: Even the best photographer can’t fix cluttered countertops, unmade beds, or that one rogue sock your dog leaves randomly throughout the house. Preparing your home properly before the photographer arrives can mean the difference between “Wow, I need to see this place!” and “Next.”

So, let’s get into exactly what you need to do to get your home picture-perfect—without losing your sanity in the process.

First, Understand the Photographer’s Perspective

Think of your real estate photographer as a magician with a camera. They know how to play with lighting, angles, and composition to make your home look its absolute best. But here’s the catch: They are not professional declutterers, house cleaners, or interior designers. If your living room looks like an explosion of laundry, toys, and half-eaten snacks, no amount of fancy camera work can fix that.

Your job? Make their job as easy as possible by setting the stage for a flawless photoshoot.

So here’s The Essential Pre-Shoot Checklist for Inside Your Home

Declutter and Depersonalize.

Your home should feel like a welcoming space—not like someone else’s personal museum of memories. That means:

✔ Pack away personal photos. (Yes, even that adorable baby picture you love.)

✔ Hide personal items like shoes, coats, and anything else that screams “I LIVE HERE.”

✔ Clear off tables, countertops, and nightstands. A clean, open space looks bigger and more inviting.

Pro tip: Walk through your home as if you’re a buyer seeing it for the first time. If something looks too “you,” it probably needs to go.

Clear Surfaces (Yes, Even Your Beloved Coffee Station)

You love your espresso machine. Your future buyer? They don’t care. 

✔ Remove small appliances (blenders, toasters, coffee makers).

✔ Hide dish soap, sponges, and any collections. Anything that starts to resemble clutter. Which my rule of thumb is the rule of three. Meaning no more than three items on a given surface. 

Bathrooms should be as clear as possible.

Put away bathroom items like toothbrushes, razors, and hair products, makeup, medicine. You know what, just clear off the entire countertop except for soap. No one wants to see your personal belongings. And if they do, you don’t want them in your home anyway.

Deep Clean Like Your Mother-in-Law is Coming Over

Nothing says “buy this home” like sparkling clean surfaces:

✔ Dust everything (yes, even the tops of doorframes).

✔ Wipe down mirrors and windows to remove streaks.

✔ Make all beds with neatly tucked sheets (matching bedding is a plus!).

✔ Fluff couch pillows like you’re preparing for a furniture showroom visit.

Bonus tip: Look at your house in daylight. If you suddenly realize your windows are more “foggy nightmare” than “crystal clear,” it’s time to grab some glass cleaner.

Let There Be Light

Photographers love light. Buyers love light. Basically, light is your new best friend.

✔ Replace any burned-out bulbs. Make sure they match what’s around.

✔ Turn on every light in the house—including lamps and accent lighting. Remember the light under the microwave too!

✔ Open all blinds and curtains (unless the view is of a brick wall… then use your judgment or tilt your blinds a little to let some light in but obscure the wall on the other side).

Now for The Essential Pre-Shoot Checklist for Outside Your Home

Curb Appeal 101

The first thing buyers see is the outside of your home, so make it shine:

✔ Mow the lawn, trim bushes, and remove dead plants.

✔ Sweep walkways, porches, and patios.

✔ Hide garbage cans, garden tools, and any clutter

Give your Porch & Patio A Glow-Up

Outdoor spaces sell homes, so make them look inviting:

✔ Arrange patio furniture neatly (no random chair clusters).

✔ Clean cushions and add a few throw pillows for color.

✔ Open patio umbrellas for a “relaxed, resort vibe.”

Think about Vehicles & Miscellaneous Eyesores

✔ Move all cars out of the driveway (and ideally off the street).

✔ Ask your neighbors to temporarily relocate their cars if needed (bribe them with cookies if necessary).

✔ Take down holiday decorations—even if you really love Halloween.

The Day of the Shoot Last-Minute Touch-Ups

Double-Check Everything

Before the photographer arrives, do a final walk-through:

✔ Turn on all lights.

✔ Open all blinds.

✔ Hide pet bowls, litter boxes, and any evidence that animals live in your home.

✔ Close toilet lids. 

Make It Feel Like a Home,

✔ Add fresh fruit like apples to a nice bowl on the kitchen or dining table.

✔ Fold throw blankets neatly over couches or chairs.

And then leave.

Leave the house so you can leave the Photographer Alone

This one might be hard, but let the photographer do their thing. Even if you want to hover and “help,” resist the urge. You’re more likely to slow things down. If possible, take a coffee break, go for a walk, or just pretend your house doesn’t exist for an hour.

If you have pets, take them with you. Your dog may be adorable, but a barking, curious pup is a distraction. (And we really don’t need Fluffy photobombing the living room shots.)

Why All This Effort Matters

You might be thinking, Is all this really necessary? The short answer: YES.

Real estate listings with professional, well-prepared photos get more views, more showings, and often sell faster than those without. Buyers make snap judgments when scrolling through listings—if your home doesn’t stand out in the first few seconds, they move on.

The more inviting and polished your home looks in photos, the more likely you are to get top dollar. So while it might feel like a lot of work, trust us—it’s worth it.

Final Thoughts

Selling your home is a big deal, and preparing for listing photos is a key step in making sure buyers fall in love with your space. Yes, it takes effort (and maybe a little sweat), but with the right preparation, your home will be photo-ready, buyer-ready, and most importantly, sale-ready.

So grab that vacuum, fluff those pillows, and get ready to see your home shine!

You can also check out our detailed home staging guide at the home staging guide.com. It has a room by room checklist of what to do.

Want more expert real estate advice?
Thinking about selling? Need a strategy to get the best price?

If we haven’t met yet, I’m Jennifer Templeton. I’m a Realtor and Broker Associate with The Crestedge Group at Keller Williams Rockwall and we work with buyers and sellers all over the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex. 

If you’re thinking about making a move in 2025, I’d love to be your real estate resource and earn your business. You can call or text me at 214-803-4444 or send an email to jennifer@thecrestedgegroup.com to get started.