Preparing For Property Photography and Video

Turning up to a property to photograph, film, and shoot a 360º Virtual Tour is not the easiest of jobs. Throw in having to measure each space and sketch a floor plan and you have an intense couple of hours work. But when you show up to find children's toys strewn over the place, multiple pairs of shoes in the hallway, jackets hanging over stairs and on the backs of doors, our job as property photographers gets a whole lot more difficult. Don't get me started on messy kitchens and dog bowls and beds either.

But it isn't always the fault of the homeowner. It is the job of the photographer and the estate agent to educate clients so they know what is expected of them. People get so used to seeing things around their home that they become almost invisible to them. It is our job to bring attention to these things and let them know how to declutter their home. Below is a list of tasks we ask homeowners to undertake before a member of our photography team arrive on the day of the shoot.

Oh, one more thing. Moving clutter from one room to the next on the day of the shoot is neither acceptable or possible. A video walkthrough and a 360º camera sees everything. Everywhere.

Exterior preparation

• Remove any vehicles from the outside of the property

• Remove any clutter from outside the property such as bins and hoses, kids toys etc.

• Mow the lawn and tidy round the garden including weeding and removing leaves

• Clean the windows and doors

• Remove washing from washing lines

• General declutter

Set the scene inside

• Moving furniture around may help to make a room look more spacious

• Make sure your home is well lit, and replace any light bulbs that have gone out. Have all lights on when the photographer arrives, including lamps.

• Open all curtains and open or tilt all blinds

• Fresh flowers help to breathe life into a property

• Declutter and remove any items including pictures, ornaments and items of personal taste.

• Remove any pet hairs or any items covered in pet hair

• General declutter

Reception rooms

• Throws on sofas should be artfully arranged or removed

• Arrange cushions to look smart and tidy

• Set dining room tables

• Remove rugs, especially where you have wooden or tiled floors

• Any children’s toys or piles of magazines, DVDs etc should be out of sight, preferably in a cupboard.

• General declutter

Bedrooms

• Make the bed and choose bed clothes that compliment the room

• Anything stored under the bed should be completely out of sight or removed

• All drawers and wardrobe doors should be shut

• No clothes hanging over doors or hooks on doors

• Remove shoes, washing baskets or any other items generally stored in bedrooms.

• Remove beauty and hair products and accessories including straighteners, hair dryer etc.

• General declutter

Kitchen

• Clear all work tops and make sure there are no tea towels or chopping boards on show

• Move bins out of sight

• Clear away spare appliances or utensils

• Close all cupboards

• Hide all fridge magnets

• Clear the sink (no dirty dishes!)

• If you have pets, hide their food bowls and beds

• A full, fresh fruit bowl can add a flash of colour

• General declutter

Bathroom

• Keep the toilet lid down

• Remove clutter like shower gels and toothbrushes

• Open the shower curtain

• Remove all toilet paper from its holders and stands

• Any towels should be artfully arranged or removed

• General declutter

Visit our PORTFOLIO PAGE to see examples of our photography, video, and 360º virtual tours.