Photography Prep Checklist | www.propertymedia-burnley.co.uk

 My goal is to photograph your home with the highest quality that will wow buyers and attract offers. To ensure your photoshoot goes smoothly and safely, I’ve put together this preparation checklist of things you should do prior to your scheduled shoot.

The weather - Do not be concerned about what the weather is doing. Sunny, blue sky days are the worst conditions for Real Estate Photography. The best conditions are cloudy skies as this gives nice soft defused light on your property. Any external photos will be taken for a bright and airy edit and the sky will be replaced with a nice sky.

There are so many problems caused with bright sunny, blue sky days and it also restricts you on the angles and compositions for photos.

If it is raining on the day of your shoot, then do not worry. There are very few times when it is raining when it gets to a point we need to reschedule. This is when it is pretty much torrential rain. All my camera gear is water sealed, but it is when you see the rain in the photos, this can not be removed in post processing.

 General Prep

❑ Be shoot-ready: Cleaning and staging needs to be done before I arrive, preferably the day before your photoshoot. I may move small items (flowers, small pictures, etc.) to improve photo composition, but larger items need to be in place before I arrive, and staging accessories need to be in place as well.

 ❑ Secure or remove pets: I love pets, but we can’t have them around for your photoshoot. Dogs must be secured or off the property to ensure the safety of myself and my equipment. MLS rules also prohibit people and pets from being in pictures. Cats should be secured as well, although they usually pose fewer problems than dogs (cats often hide). It's also a good idea to hide pet food and water bowls as well.

 ❑ Plan not to be seen: All occupants should plan on either being off the property or remain in areas where they can't be seen during the photoshoot. Rooms overlap in the photos, people can cause shadows and reflections, and there is risk to equipment that will be setup throughout the property.

 ❑ Use the garage for storage: I normally don’t shoot garages, so this is a great place to store items you’d like to hide.

❑ If you have window blinds - make sure they are all aligned and straight. Put them on a 50:50 split between open and closed. If you have a nice view then you can open the blinds wide open.

❑ Make sure any TV’s, computer monitors or CCTV Monitors are turned off.

 Photography Prep Checklist | www.propertymedia-burnley.co.uk

Outside Prep

❑ Clear the cars: Make sure no cars are in the driveway. If possible, also move cars from the street in front of the home. We want as clear a view as possible of your property.

 ❑ Do NOT wet driveways: If a wet look is desired, this can be added in the editing process. Watering driveways can cause patches of dry spots and puddles, so adding it in editing is best.

 ❑ Hide bins: Bins or Wheelie Bins can be placed on the side of the property or in the garage.

 ❑ Hide hoses: Do this the day before the shoot since hoses can drip water onto the pavement when being moved, leaving puddles in your pictures.

 ❑ Mow and trim the yard: Do at least 24 hours prior to your photoshoot.

 ❑ Turn off sprinklers: Do not water the day of the shoot to prevent puddles on pavement.

 ❑ Pick up poop: If you have a dog, make sure that all of their droppings are cleared from the yard.

 ❑ Prep pool and spa: If you have a pool and/or spa, please have them clean with coversremoved. For spas, provide instructions to the realtor on how to turn it on.

 ❑ Prep water features: If you have fountains, waterfalls, etc., please clean them and provide instructions to the realtor on how to turn them on.

 ❑ Remove for-sale sign: The for-sale sign should be removed from the property or installed after the shoot, since visible signs violate MLS policies and can’t always be edited out.

 ❑ Clean patio furniture: Dust and remove cobwebs from all outdoor furniture. Do not hose down your furniture the day of your shoot, since this can create puddles.

 Photography Prep Checklist | www.propertymedia-burnley.co.uk

Inside Prep

❑ Declutter kitchen: A few items on the counters are usually fine, but dishes, sponges, rags, etc. should be put away. It's best to remove all magnets, pictures, etc. from the refrigerator and remove throw rugs from the floor.

 ❑ Declutter bathrooms: Toothpaste, toothbrushes, razors, and other "personal" items should be hidden. Decorative unused soaps, candles, flowers, etc. are preferred. It’s also good to remove all throw rugs from the floor.

 ❑ Prep bedrooms: All bedrooms should have their beds made and items put away.

 ❑ Hide trashcans: Trashcans can distract so it’s best to hide all of them in closets or the garage.

 ❑ Hide portable fans: Ceiling fans are selling items, but portable fans can give the wrong impression. It’s best to hide all portable fans in closets or the garage.

 ❑ Hide cords and remotes: Sometimes electrical cords can’t be hidden, but you will have more appealing pictures if you can hide TV remotes, game consoles, and any noticeable cords.

 ❑ Clear entryways: Remove all shoes, umbrellas, and similar items from entryways.

 ❑ Open blinds with views: Your indoor photos will show outdoor views if there are views, or just light if a window looks onto a neighbour or other unappealing view.

 ❑ Turn on lights: Before I arrive, please make sure all interior lights are turned on. If need-be, please replace all burned-out bulbs at least 24 hours before the photoshoot.

❑ Turn off ceiling fans: Before I arrive, please make sure all ceiling fans are turned off.

Photography Prep Checklist | www.propertymedia-burnley.co.uk

360 Virtual Tours

If you have ordered a 360 Virtual Tour with your agent then please read through the following information carefully.  There are two types of 360 Virtual Tours, Matterport and Vieweet, both need the following done prior to my arrival.

❑ Clean up the house as best you can, hide anything you don’t want on the tour in your garage, sheds or even in your car until after the shoot.

❑ All doors to rooms you want on the tour will need to be wide open. Please remove anything hanging on the back of doors such as coats or dressing gowns.

❑ Remember these are not photos, they are scans, so it can see everywhere so we can’t move anything during the shoot. If something is moved then the tour will not work and we will have to do it all again.

❑ Turn on all interior lights: All lights throughout the property need to be turned on. Please replace all burned-out bulbs at least 24 hours before the photoshoot.