Photography Checklist

The ultimate guide for preparing your property for professional real estate photos

The “Photo-Ready” Home ✅ Checklist

Professional real estate photography can make or break a listing. At Tenfold Media, we specialize in creating stunning media that showcases your property at its best. To ensure your home shines, we’ve created this comprehensive checklist to help you prepare for your photo session.

Following these steps will help your property look polished, spacious, and inviting, making a strong impression on potential buyers.

Exterior Checklist

Prepare the outside of your home to make a great first impression:

✅ Park vehicles on the street
✅ Turn on all exterior house lights (front and back)
✅ Put away garbage cans and recycling bins
✅ Sweep or shovel sidewalks, porches, and driveway
✅ Mow and trim the lawn, prune shrubs, and tidy flower beds
✅ Clean and arrange patio furniture
✅ Put away kids’ toys and pet toys
✅ Clean up yard of dog waste
✅ Wash or wipe down the front door and exterior windows
✅ Remove any visible garden hoses, tools, or equipment
✅ Sweep or power-wash driveway and walkway stains
✅ Ensure outdoor lighting fixtures are clean and functional
✅ Remove any seasonal decorations that may distract

Interior Checklist

Make the inside of your home look its best:

✅ Turn on all interior lights, including lamps
✅ Depersonalize your home as much as possible
✅ Hide personal photos from walls, shelves, etc.
✅ Sweep, mop, or vacuum all floors
✅ Clean windows and dust surfaces
✅ Remove small rugs or mats
✅ Declutter all surfaces (countertops, vanities, nightstands, dressers)
✅ Put away clutter in drawers, closets, or the garage
✅ Make all beds and straighten curtains
✅ Hide personal hygiene items in the bathroom
✅ Hide trash cans and cleaning supplies
✅ Tidy kids’ toys
✅ Crate or remove dogs (to garage, basement, or off property)
✅ Replace any burnt-out lightbulbs using the same color/temperature bulbs throughout the home
✅ Hide all visible cords (cable, power cords, etc.)
✅ Adjust furniture placement slightly to improve flow (without moving heavy items)
✅ Remove or hide cleaning supplies under sinks
✅ Ensure all appliances are clean and free of magnets, papers, or clutter
✅ Close toilet lids
✅ Open curtains/blinds to maximize natural light
✅ Remove excess items from kitchen countertops

What we will NOT do

To set clear expectations, here’s what our team will not handle:

❌ Move items from room to room
❌ Move or rearrange furniture or other household items
❌ Move or hide cords (TV/cable, power cords, etc.)
❌ Make beds, clean, dust, or declutter
❌ Move or handle pets or pet items
❌ Touch personal hygiene items
❌ Photoshop vehicles, power lines, walls, etc.
❌ Stage or decorate the home
❌ Move heavy furniture
❌ Touch fragile items (vases, collectibles, artwork)

What we WILL do

✅ Conduct a quick walkthrough to ensure everything is ready
✅ Adjust blinds and lighting for optimal exposure
✅ Capture professional photographs and media to showcase your home
✅ Capture multiple angles of each room to highlight flow
✅ Showcase unique architectural or design features
✅ Ensure proper colour balance and lighting in all photos

Important reminders

  • Do not schedule other services (cleaners, painters, etc.) on the day of your appointment.

  • For the safety of our team and equipment, we will not enter a home with uncrated dogs. If no one is available to remove or crate pets, your appointment will need to be rescheduled.

  • Your home should be photo ready when we arrive.

  • Homeowners are encouraged to leave the property during the appointment. Enjoy running errands, grabbing coffee, or simply giving us space to work.

Following this checklist ensures your property is ready to shine. At Tenfold Media, our goal is to create beautiful, professional media that highlights your home’s best features and helps it sell faster.

Thank you for trusting us to showcase your property!