Preparing for a Shoot

Just before our appointment

• Remove cars from driveway

• Move garbage cans into garage

• Close garage doors

• Turn ON all lights

• Turn OFF all fans

• Raise or turn open blinds and curtains

• Put away toys from the yard and living areas

• Put toilet lids down (I will not touch them myself)

• Crate medium/large dogs, or move them to the garage

• Hide garbage cans from the kitchen, bathrooms, and bedrooms

• Turn off all screens (TVs and computers)

• Remove small rugs from kitchen/baths to show flooring

General

• Clean all countertops

• Vacuum/clean all carpets

• Reduce clutter on counters, mantle, and shelves

• Put away shoes and coats

• Recommended: Replace bulbs with daylight LED bulbs (I recommend Ecosmart bulbs from Home Depot/Walmart)

Exteriors

• Mow the day before or the morning of our appointment

• Sweep porch

• Arrange porch furniture, set out pillows and chair pads

• Clean pool

• Put away water hoses and pool cleaning supplies

• Turn on fountains/water features

Kitchen/Dining

• Clean out sink

• Hide dish drainers, sponges, and dish soap, leave out hand soap only

• Reduce counter clutter and appliances as much as possible, but leave the coffee maker out

• Remove all magnets and photos from refrigerator

• Decorate dining table with a centerpiece and/or place settings

• Remove booster seats and high chairs

• Straighten chairs and space them evenly

Living Room

• Neatly arrange pillows and blankets on furniture

• Hide visible charging cords

• Remove stacks of newspapers and magazines

Bedrooms

• Make all beds

• De-clutter dressers and beds

• Clean under bed, removing items that may show in the photos

• Organize closets that will be photographed

Bathrooms

• Remove toothbrushes and personal items from sink (leave one soap dispenser)

• Clean bathtub and shower

• Wipe down glass shower doors and mirrors

• Remove bottles and loofahs from bathtubs and showers