Prep Guide
So that you can be assured of the best photography experience possible, please have the property prepped and ready to go by the scheduled appointment time.
Due to Covid protocols and insurance, our photographers are not able to touch or move anything.
Please ensure that all work is completed prior to your scheduled appointment time including maids, staging, contractors, carpet cleaners, etc.
Appointments are scheduled tightly especially during busy season and we would hate for you to incur additional trip fees.
The purpose of this preparation guide is to ensure you get the best possible results from your photoshoot.
PPM will photograph the property in any condition; however, by following these guidelines, you can be sure to get the best possible images and the most interest in your listing.
If possible, wait to place your sign until photos have been taken. Having it removed digitally can incur unnecessary photoshop fees.
- Preparation will take longer than expected. Don’t wait until the last minute to start readying the home for photography! The cleaner the house, the better it will photograph—but removing all clutter is most essential.
- Regardless of the level of preparation required, it should be completed before the photo sessions scheduled time. We cannot shoot a house while someone is cleaning it.
- Generally speaking, worry about the larger problem areas first, don’t fret over a little dust when there’s a pile of clutter in the room.
- Personal items should be completely removed from view. Hide them in closets, cabinets, garages, etc. As opposed to a hallway, or a room that’s going to be photographed.
- If you place a storage container under a bed or a box beside the refrigerator, it will often still be visible in the photo.
- ALL lights in the house (with the exception of closets) should be turned on, don’t forget the small lamps! The Photographer will not be familiar with where all the switches in a particular home are, or exactly how they work. Finding them takes up a lot of precious time during a shoot so we would kindly ask that all lights be turned on before arrival.
- ALL ceiling fans throughout the entire home should be turned off prior to arrival. These can be difficult to turn off and take a while to stop moving, photographer will not be equipped with a stool and cannot climb on beds to turn these off.
- ALL televisions, computer screens, and projectors should be turned off.
- In the kitchen, it’s a good idea to have counter tops relatively clear of all but large appliances or decorative staging items such as a bowl of fruit or flowers, remove refrigerator magnets, paper towel rolls, pet feeding dishes, and beds, as well as trash cans. Dried hard water stains tend to show on dark-colored lower cabinets. Clean fingerprints from stainless steel or black appliances.
- In bathrooms, Photographer will not touch or move personal items. Put down toilet seats. If showers are to be photographed with the curtains open, please open them. Make sure shower doors and mirrors are cleaned of all spots and residue. Remove all personal items from the shower and countertops and all rugs and towels that are not serving a decorative purpose.
- Replace any nonfunctioning light bulbs, and consider replacing any mismatched color light bulbs.
- Blinds should be opened so that slats are level, providing the best view out of the windows. If blinds are damaged, it may be best in that room to lift them all the way up.
- If the driveway is in front of the house, it’s best to move the vehicles to the street.
- Make sure the lawn is manicured and as clear of leaves and debris as possible. Pools and hot tubs should be uncovered and hoses or cleaners removed in advance so that water spots on pavement have dried prior to arrival. All water features should be on and running.
Premier Twilight
Please ensure that all exterior lighting is operational and on. If exterior lighting is photocell activated, you may consider covering the eye so that they are on prior to dark.
Ensure that pool lights are working and on, blue usually works best for color. Ensure that all water features and waterfalls are running. Leave blower off in hot tub, but jets are fine.
During the Photoshoot
- A typical photo shoot runs less than 20 minutes, but a bit longer for premium or video packages.
- With more than one person present, it’s almost impossible to keep people out of the photos. We only use premium ultra-wide angle lenses, which will see you at even extreme angles on either side of the camera. It will catch you even if you’re standing all the way down a hallway across the house, on another floor, in a reflection, or outside a window. In our experience, moving a group of people from room to room during a shoot is just not a workable solution, it’s difficult to tell if you’re standing in the photo area or not. This process can increase the time required for a photoshoot which can result in additional fees so, respectfully, we ask there not be several people or pets present.
- Pets obviously must be kept out of all areas being photographed. But keep in mind that they often will get into the photos if they are standing by the windows in the backyard. Consider putting them in the garage for the duration of the shoot.
- Because we frequently have more than one appointment scheduled in a day and a limited amount of time to spend on each property, we respectfully must insist that you have the premises ready to go at the time of the appointment to ensure a quick and painless photo session.
If you are unable to be present, please have someone from your team double check that the property is “Photo Ready”. Client accepts and understands property will be shot “as is”.
Thank you in advance for understanding!