Photoshoot Procedures

  • Properties should ideally be vacated for duration of photoshoot, both residents and agents (and pets)

  • Properties should be 100% ready to shoot before photographers arrival. This includes every light turned on, blinds open, doors open, fans off, counters clear. Staging done by either stager, agent or homeowner should be finished, prior to my arrival.

  • If the property is vacant with nobody living there lights etc do not need to be turned on prior to arrival.

  • The ideal solution is that homes be on a lockbox or SUPRA box

  • If on SUPRA, the CBS code is required

    Preparation
    (All must be done BEFORE scheduled shoot time)

    • - None of these get photographed unless requested in advance: closets, laundry room, garage, powder rooms.

    • Closets, Laundry, Garage and powder rooms will be captured in Matterport tours

    INTERIOR PREPARTION

    • Open all blinds

    • Open all curtains

    • Only raise blinds if there is view

    • Please turn them all ceiling fans off

    • Lights - please turn on all lights, including small lamps and exteriors lights

    • Replace any non functioning bulbs

    • Using daylight balanced bulbs looks much better in photos than yellow/orange (warm bulbs)

    Clutter Clutter Clutter

    Remove anything that isn’t furniture or something that makes the home look more comfortable
    INCLUDING: - fridge magnets, tissues, piles of paperwork, paper towels, remote controls, dish soap dispensers, cleaning tools, everything except the lamps on nightstands, no phone chargers, glasses, piles of books, water glasses

    - Hide all interior trash cans especially in the bathrooms and kitchen 

    Bathrooms

    • Remove everything from the shower and bath area such as:
       toothbrushes, tissue boxes, razors, make up, perfume, loofahs, shampoo, conditioner

    • Clean and dry shower doors

    • Unless they are beautiful, remove the bathmats and bathroom throw rugs

    Offices 

    • office desks can have an open computer with mouse but no paperwork, mail, tissue boxes and excessive clutter

    • try and tidy cables as best as possible
       

    Bedrooms 

    • Make the beds

    • Fluff the pillows

    • If you stash things under the bed, push them back so they can't be seen - Close all closet doors.

    • Declutter the nightstands

    • Hide phone chargers 

    Vehicles

    • Remove all vehicles from the outside of the property.

    • Park in such a place where they can't be seen from inside
       

    Landscaping

    • Grass need watering? Mowing? Raking? Then water, mow, or rake.

    • Pet - clean up after them in the yard, hide toys, crates, food and water bowls, litter boxes

    • Security sign outside - hide it

    • Hoses should be coiled/rolled up or, better yet, out of sight.

    • Pool vacuums - removed from pool

    • Garbage cans – in the garage or out of sight, even from the side view of the home
       

    Outdoor Furniture

    • wipe the table, chairs off and consider simple placemats and dishes

    • open patio umbrellas

    • remove kids toys

    • remove pet toys

    Barbecues

    • remove BBQ covers

    • clean and accessories such as  charcoal, tools or lighters out if sight

    Seasonal Items

    • Remove everything seasonal
      holiday lights, blow-up Santa, pumpkins, 4th of July decorations 

Twilight Photoshoots

  • Twilight photos are normally delivered within 24-48 hours of the shoot time. 

  • A twilight shoot takes place about 10 minutes after the official sunset time

  • It will only last a maximum of 10 minutes as the light fades

  • Twilight Shoots generally produce 3 to 5 showcase images

  • Please ensure every light is on inside and outside the property before the shoot begins as there is no time to do it during the very short time window

  • Pleas make sure pool lights, tree lights, hot tub lights are turned on

  • Remove grill covers, hot tub covers and turn off exterior patio ceiling fans

Virtual Twilight Photos

  • Virtual twilights are shot during daylight and digitally edited to look like they were shot at twilight

  • Best results are obtained on overcast days but can be shot under any conditions

Turnaround time

  • Photos are normally delivered within 24 hours of the shoot time. 

  • Photoshoots that take place on Friday afternoons may not be delivered until the following Monday.

  • Videos are normally delivered with 48 hours of the shoot.

Lots and Acreage

  • Please provide map showing lot lines BEFORE shoot date as well as any particular views you want captured.

  • It is much preferred than nobody be on site for these shoots to to the additional work required to digitally edit out people and vehicles from images.

Postponement and Cancellation

  • Postponement or Cancellation must be done with a minimum of 24 hours notice

  • E-mail or text are the methods of contact to cancel/postpone

  • Less than 24 hours notice incurs the minimum fee of $120

Virtual Staging

  • When ordering virtual staging the ideal situation is to have completely vacant rooms. No blinds, curtains, rugs. All ceiling fans turned off, all light bulbs working and ideally all the same daylight balanced color temperature.

  • We can provide sample furniture sets to view before staging if required. Changes requested after staging is complete can take 24+ hours to complete.

  • Decluttering or removal of existing furniture, rugs, drapes etc is possible, but will incur additional fees and longer processing times.

Question: Whats the best time of day to photograph my property?

Answer: There is no perfect time to shoot. As a very general rule for regular daylight shots, the best time is when it looks best to you. This is often when the front of the building is in full sun. It rarely looks best if the sun is behind the house and in the shot when shooting the front exterior.
 
 So if the house faces east, morning is normally best, if west, then afternoon is often good. Often the back of a home may be a more important photo than the front, especially of there is a pool or some other high end landscaping or view.
 
 For twilight shots, these are shot approximately 5-10 minutes after official sunset time and will finish 15-20 minutes after sunset.