90% of buyers decide to visit based on photos alone — great prep leads to great photos.
The Day Before Your Shoot
Interior
Declutter every room
Clear counters, tables, nightstands, and floors. Less is always more in photos.
Deep clean all surfaces
Mirrors, windows, and appliances should sparkle. Cameras capture everything.
Remove all personal items
Family photos, mail, medications, and personal items off all surfaces.
Stage with intention
Fresh flowers, a fruit bowl, folded towels — simple touches elevate every room.
Replace burned-out bulbs
Warm-white bulbs throughout. Mixed color temperatures look unprofessional.
Hide all cables and cords
Tuck TV cables, chargers, and power strips completely out of sight.
Exterior
Mow, edge, and blow the yard
Clean landscaping frames the home. Overgrown grass signals neglect to buyers.
Sweep all walkways and driveways
Leaves and stains are clearly visible in drone and exterior shots.
Move ALL vehicles off the property
Clear the driveway and the street directly in front of the home.
Remove trash bins and garden hoses
Roll bins to the side. Coil hoses neatly or remove entirely.
Clean the front door and house numbers
Polish hardware and remove cobwebs — first impressions begin here.
Turn off sprinklers the night before
Wet driveways and puddles are difficult to remove from exterior shots.
■ Pro Tip
Walk each room and ask: "Would I be embarrassed if a buyer saw this?" If yes — remove it. Buyers mentally move in through photos. Make it effortless for them to picture their life in the space.
Morning of Your Shoot
1–2 Hours Before I Arrive
Turn on EVERY light in the home
Every lamp, overhead, under-cabinet, and accent light. More light = warmer photos.
Open all blinds and curtains fully
Natural window light creates depth. Pull curtains completely to the sides.
Remove pets and all pet items
Bowls, beds, leashes, and toys all out of sight.
Make all beds with fresh linens
Hotel-quality presentation. Add decorative pillows if you have them.
Final Checks
Put toilet lids down — every bathroom
Small detail, massive difference. Every single bathroom, no exceptions.
Final declutter walk-through
One last pass through every room. Things creep back overnight.
Turn on pool, spa, and water features
Ensure the pool is clean and clear. Running water photographs beautifully.
Clear the garage if it will be photographed
A tidy garage adds perceived value and shows buyers every space.
■ The Hotel Room Standard
The best listing photos look like a luxury hotel or model home. Walk the property with that lens before I arrive — if something wouldn't belong in a hotel room, it shouldn't be in the shot.
During the Shoot
For You
Be available — but give me space
Stay nearby for questions, but let me move efficiently through each room.
Point out any special features
Upgraded finishes, views, smart home tech, built-ins — tell me what matters most.
For Your Sellers
Keep everyone out of frame
Family and pets stay in one room or outside for the entire shoot.
Don't move staged items once set
Once I've set up a room, leave everything exactly as-is until I'm done.
After the shoot wraps...
Editing begins immediately. Photos arrive in your inbox the next morning before noon — fully edited, branded, and MLS-ready.
What Happens After You Book
1
Arrival
Quick walkthrough — light check, room order, last staging notes.
2
The Shoot
Interior first, exterior next, drone aerials last. Efficient and thorough.
3
Editing
HDR color correction and professional editing to MLS standards.
4
Delivery
Photos in your portal next morning before noon. MLS-ready.
The Vista Media Homes Promise
Next-day delivery before noonNo rescheduling feesFree branded property website
My goal isn't just great photos — it's media that helps your listing sell faster and for more money.
Why Preparation Matters
First impressions are digital.
Over 95% of buyers start their search online. Your listing photos are seen before the open house, before the showing, before any conversation. They are the first showing.
A few hours of prep has real, measurable impact.
Listings with well-prepared photography receive 73% more online views, sell 32% faster, and consistently close at higher prices. Preparation is part of the marketing strategy.
Great media is always a team effort.
The best photography cannot fix a cluttered countertop or a car in the driveway. What sellers do before I arrive directly determines what we achieve together. This guide is their half of the job.
Vista Media Homes