Preparing your home before the scheduled arrival time is essential to achieving professional, market-ready real estate photos. All cleaning, organizing, and staging should be completed prior to the photographer’s arrival. The session is carefully scheduled, and the photographer’s time is dedicated to capturing your property at its best—not waiting for last-minute preparation. A ready home ensures the shoot stays efficient, on schedule, and delivers the strongest results.

Remove personal items such as mail, paperwork, family photos, and loose clutter from all visible areas. Clear kitchen and bathroom countertops as much as possible, straighten wall art and décor, and ensure mirrors are clean and aligned. Beds should be neatly made with pillows arranged evenly. All toilet seats and lids should be closed, trash bins removed from interior and exterior spaces, and pet items hidden or stored away. Pets should be secured in another room or off-site during the session.

Proper lighting is critical for high-quality real estate photography. Replace any burnt-out bulbs and confirm that all light fixtures are working properly. Turn on all interior lights before the photographer arrives and turn off all ceiling fans. Open blinds and curtains to allow natural light unless otherwise instructed. For twilight or dusk sessions, confirm that all exterior lights are functioning correctly to ensure balanced, professional images.

The photographer’s arrival time is not the time to begin cleaning or staging. Being fully prepared shows respect for the photographer’s schedule and allows full focus on capturing your property in the best possible way. When everything is ready upon arrival, the session runs smoothly, remains efficient, and results in stronger images that help your property stand out online and attract more buyers.