Photoshoot Procedures

  • Properties should ideally be vacated for duration of photoshoot

  • 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 or homeowner should be finished, prior to my arrival.

  • If the property is vacant and being accessed by lockbox; lights etc do not need to be turned on prior to arrival.

  • The ideal solution is that homes be on a lockbox

    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 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

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

    Bathrooms

    • Clean and dry shower doors

    • Close your toilet seats

    • Remove small trash cans from view

    Offices 

    • office desks can have an open computer

    • try and tidy cables/chargers, as best as possible
       

    Bedrooms 

    • Make the beds

    • Fluff the pillows

    • Do not stash things under the bed,

    • Close all closet doors.

    • Declutter the nightstands

    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 (do not leave a trail of water)

    • Patio umbrellas open

    • 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

    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 

Turnaround time

  • Photos are normally delivered within 48 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 48hours notice

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

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


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.