The day before your listing photos is the moment to get your home camera-ready, and it asks less of you than you might expect. This is the room-by-room checklist I share with sellers and their agents across Raleigh and the Triangle before every shoot.

A little prep goes a long way. If your agent sent you this page, she is already thinking about how your home will be seen. Work through the list the day before your photos are scheduled, and your home will look its absolute best.

Why great photos matter

Most buyers meet your home online before they ever step inside, so your photos become the first showing.

• First impressions are made online.
  Most buyers will meet your home through its photos first, and those first few images often decide whether they want to see more.
• Photos set the tone for everything after.
  Buyers get a feel for your home within seconds of seeing it online. Great photos help them fall for it from the very first click.
• Great presentation turns a listing into a must-see.
  When your home looks its best in photos, more buyers take notice, book showings, and walk in already excited about what they’ll find.
• A little prep makes a big impact.
  These small touches make a difference, and a little time spent now helps your home stand out in every photo buyers see.

Throughout the home

Begin with four small things that shape every photo, in every room.

• Put away trash cans, recycling bins, and hoses.
  The eye should rest on the room, not on the everyday things in it.
• Turn on every light and turn off every ceiling fan.
  Lights add warmth to each room, and moving fan blades blur in photos.
• Open all blinds and curtains.
  Natural light gives a room its soft, open feeling.
• Put away pets and pet items (bowls, beds, etc.).
  The focus stays on your home, and your pets stay relaxed while I work.

Kitchen

A kitchen photographs best when its surfaces are clear and calm.

• Clear countertops of appliances, dish racks, and mail.
  Open counters let the kitchen feel generous and clean.
• Remove magnets and photos from the fridge.
  A clean fridge front looks calm, and your family photos stay private.
• Hide trash cans and dish towels.
  Tuck them under the sink or in the pantry for the shoot.
• Empty the sink of dishes.
  The sink shows up in more kitchen angles than you’d expect.

One or two beautiful things are welcome to stay, like a small plant or a bowl of lemons. A single considered detail makes a kitchen feel lived in, never cluttered.

Living areas

In living spaces, a little less of everything lets the room breathe on camera.

• Remove excess furniture to make rooms feel larger.
  An extra chair or ottoman can rest in the garage for the day.
• Fluff pillows and straighten throws.
  Soft, tidy textures are what make a room feel inviting.
• Clear coffee tables and side tables of clutter.
  Remotes, chargers, and mail can slip into a drawer.
• Turn off ceiling fans.
  They blur in photos, so give them a minute to settle before we begin.

Bedrooms

A beautifully made bed does most of the work in a bedroom photo.

• Make all beds and remove excess pillows.
  Smooth the bedding and keep two to four pillows per bed.
• Clear nightstands of excess items.
  A lamp and one small thing you love, like a book or a candle, is plenty.
• Close closet doors.
  Closed doors give the room clean, quiet lines.

Bathrooms

Bathrooms are small, so every item on the counter is seen.

• Clear counters of toiletries.
  Toothbrushes, razors, and bottles can go in a drawer or under the sink.
• Put toilet lids down.
  It takes a second, and it is the detail most often forgotten.
• Remove personal items and hang fresh towels.
  Fresh, neatly folded towels give the room a spa-like calm.

Outside

The front of your home is usually the first photo in a listing, so it deserves the same care as any room.

• Sweep porches and patios.
  Swept surfaces make outdoor spaces feel cared for.
• Simplify outdoor seating: cushions on, clutter off.
  Put away grill covers, toys, and garden tools.
• Mow the lawn, edge walkways, and clear leaves.
  In the Triangle, leaves and pine needles pile up fast in the fall, so a quick pass that morning helps.
• Move all vehicles out of the driveway and off the street in front of the house.
  Cars block the view of your home and are hard to edit out.

Don’t worry about getting it perfect

Even a little prep makes a real difference for your photos. Do what you can, and don’t worry about getting it all perfect. Every bit of effort helps your session go smoothly and helps your home shine.

Prefer a printable version?

The Lightwell Haus checklist is here.

For listing agents:

This page is yours to share. An agent who sends it to their sellers arrives on photo day to a home that is ready, and leaves with images they are proud to put her name on.

Lightwell Haus creates photos and films for realtors in Raleigh and across the Triangle. When you are ready to book a listing shoot, I would love to hear from you: Book here!