Thank you for viewing these helpful tips. To assist you in your preparation for your photo session, I have put together a list of suggestions which will help the photo session process go more smoothly. First, be sure to thank your real estate agent for providing you with the added benefit of marketing your house with Internet technology and quality professional photography.
When your photo session is being shot by a pro, preparing your home to look its best will help you to catch the eye of more buyers. It may also help your home to sell faster and at a higher price. Conversely, poor quality photos or an unkempt home could result in less buyer interest, fewer showings and a lower selling price. Remember, you need to look at the property through the buyer’s eyes and imagine what would be appealing to a buyer. Buyers want to imagine themselves living in the house and making it their home. The more that you can do to accommodate this vision, the better your house will show in the resulting photos.
Upon arrival a photographer will usually begin with interior shots. They then will take shots of outdoor amenities including backyards, pools and outbuildings or workshops. Last will be the front of the property. The sequence will vary according to the photographer’s preference and how well the property has been prepared. For a property of less than 2000 sq.ft, it will take anywhere from 20 to 30 minutes for an experienced professional to complete your photo shoot. Larger homes will take longer. Someone should be present throughout the appointment to help clear away any last minute items and to answer questions.
This is the look we're shooting for...
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Now, let's make certain your home is “camera ready” before the photographer arrives. Here are some steps to follow:
If you would prefer not to have photos taken of a certain room (maybe a small secondary bedroom) due to the storage of boxes and other items, you should let the photographer know upon arrival, otherwise we highly recommend that most rooms be photographed. Best to take more photos than needed in case you decide to show a few more later on.
Feel free to place boxes and excess belongings in your garage before the photo session appointment. Unless you have custom cabinets or some other unique feature of the garage, your photographer will probably not take photos of the inside of the garage. So this is a safe place to hide items out of the way during your photo session. Other areas typically not photographed include: closets, hallways, pantries, unfinished basements and inside storage areas. If you really just have too much “stuff” and will not have sufficient space to hide things, consider rental of a self-storage unit.
Outside, make sure that cars are out of the driveway and not on the street directly in front of the home. Place trash cans inside the garage or place them neatly on the edge of the property. Also, make sure that your lawn has been freshly cut (or driveway and walkways cleared of snow) and your landscaping has been recently tended. Anything that can be seen during an actual visit to the property will be seen through the camera lens and potentially shown to thousands of viewers over the Internet. If you have any questions about what should and should not be present either inside or outside during your photo session appointment, please ask your real estate agent for their input.
Kitchens are often the most important room in the house. Be sure to clear all islands and counter-tops. Remove knickknacks and excess appliances. One or two candles and a wine rack are visually much more appealing than a full display of knickknacks, toaster and spice-rack. The more cluttered your kitchen is, the smaller it will look. So, hide as much as possible and show off those gorgeous counter-tops. Put away toasters, toaster ovens, microwaves, coffeepots, knife blocks, can openers, espresso machines, etc. One or two of these items are fine, but together can produce a very cluttered look. Be sure to clear the refrigerator of magnets (and the children’s art) and any items you may keep on top. Be sure to empty the waste baskets (and recycle bins) and remove them from view. Sometimes you can move them to a room that has already been photographed. Remove all dishes from the sink area. Hide the soap bottles, brushes and sponges. Shine all of your stainless steel appliances to make them look their best. Even if an appliance will not convey with the property, just by looking good, it will add to the appeal of the kitchen in your photos.
Take down as many family pictures as possible and replace with generic, yet appealing, artwork or photos. Anything that is not included in the sale of a home should be put away. This especially includes cash and valuables. For example: if you intend to take a light fixture with you when you move, it would be a good idea to replace it prior to the photos being taken.
Open all window blinds and curtains. Allow natural light to fill the rooms. All lights should be turned on. Replace any burnt out bulbs. All fans, televisions and computer monitors should be turned off. Doing all of these things will help to emphasize the beauty of your house.
If you have pets, please make sure they are not included in the photos. Also, be sure to put away all pet toys, crates, dishes, scratching posts, litter boxes and beds.
If you have hardwood floors or custom tile flooring, remove throw rugs to show off those unique features. Clean up paperwork clutter in office work areas. In bathrooms, be sure to clear off all counters, close toilet lids and open shower curtains to show off the bathroom tile and fixtures. Hide shampoo bottles, wash cloths and soap.
Can you see the difference all of this can make?
To learn more about preparing your home for professional photography, contact Wayne at (413) 449-4545 or wayne@ApexVirtualMedia.com.