10 Things to Do Before the Photographer Arrives

Sprinklers and garden hoses can leave puddles and wet patches that show up clearly in exterior photos. Shut them off at least a full day before the appointment to give the ground time to dry out.

Walk through the entire home — interior rooms, exterior fixtures, accent lights, under-cabinet strips, and vanity lights — and replace any burned-out bulbs. Consistent, working lighting dramatically improves the quality of HDR photography.

A neatly trimmed lawn and pruned shrubbery frames a home beautifully. Whenever the schedule allows, plan to have outdoor maintenance done before shoot day — it's one of the highest-impact things you can do for curb appeal photos.

Make beds neatly, fluff pillows, and straighten any bedding. Pull curtains fully open and back — natural light is an asset. Blinds should be fully open or fully closed, not at an angle. Sheer curtains can stay; heavy drapes should be pulled aside.

Focus on entryways and high-traffic rooms. Remove shoes, bags, and jackets from the entryway. Hide small electronics and tuck cords behind furniture or decor. Clear excess appliances from kitchen countertops, and put remotes, alarm clocks, and everyday items out of sight.

Unless they're included with the sale, kids and pets can't be in the photos. Appointments typically run 1–2 hours and go much faster in an empty home. If possible, have them stay with someone for the duration — it makes a real difference.

Remove mail, notes, kids' artwork, and personal photos from the fridge and any visible surfaces. While photographers will blur or block out personal information, a cleaner fridge front simply looks better and requires less editing after the fact.

Fold towels neatly and reduce them to just two or three per bathroom. Straighten the shower curtain and extend it to fully cover the shower or tub. Clear countertops of personal care items where possible — a clean, minimal bathroom photographs far better.

Tuck indoor trash cans into a cabinet or closet before the appointment. Outdoor bins should be moved to a shed, under a deck, or another out-of-sight spot. If there's no good hiding place, your photographer can work around them — but out of frame is always better.

This is the single best thing you can do to speed up your appointment. Go room by room and switch on every overhead light, lamp, accent light, undercabinet strip, and vanity fixture. For HDR photography, having everything on from the start saves significant time on set.