PREPARE

THE PATH TO PICTURE-PERFECT PRESENTATION

Creating a powerful first impression is one of the most important steps in selling your home. The photos we capture aren’t just for marketing — they’re your home's digital first showing. And with a quick 12–24 hour turnaround on photos, your listing could go live within 48 hours… meaning potential buyers may be walking through your doors just a day or two after that.

That’s why it’s crucial for your home to be fully staged and show-ready — inside and out — when the photographer arrives.

Please do not plan to move items from room to room during the shoot. What’s seen in the photos should be exactly what buyers experience when they walk in.

The more prepared your home is at photo time, the more stunning and accurate the photos will be — and the faster you’ll attract real interest and get to the closing table.

If your home needs a little more time to get ready, that’s okay! Just let us know by 5 PM the day before your scheduled shoot and we’ll happily reschedule.

Let’s work together to make sure your home puts its best foot forward — in photos and in person.

ROOM BY ROOM GUIDELINES

LIVING ROOM

Remove all clutter, including excessive decorative items, tissue boxes, remote controls, and as many personal photos and belongings as possible. Neatly arrange or hide wires from view. Floors should be swept, and carpets vacuumed. If large area rugs cover beautiful flooring, consider temporarily removing the rugs. Additionally, hide all children's toys and portable cribs.

HDR Professional Real Estate photograph Bathroom with dual sinks, marble countertop, large mirror, black fixtures, and a walk-in shower with a rainfall showerhead. Adjacent room has white walls, wood flooring, a window, and a door leading outside.

BATHROOMS

Hide all toiletries, including soap dispensers, toothbrushes, and cosmetics, even those within the shower area. Wipe down counters and remove throw rugs. Keep clean, folded towels in their usual spots. If any visible areas are dirty, ensure they are cleaned. Also, remember to stow away bathroom scales.

HDR Professional Real Estate photograph Modern white kitchen with stainless steel appliances, wooden floor, and large windows showing green trees outside.

KITCHEN AND DINING ROOM

Wipe down counters and stow away all small appliances in cabinets. Remove magnets and photos from the refrigerator, and hide sponges and soap dispensers. Remember to clear items from the top of the fridge and tuck away any throw rugs. Lastly, consider setting the table and/or adding a bottle of wine and glasses as a nice touch.

HDR Professional Real Estate photograph Residential backyard with a swimming pool, tall palm trees, and a brick house with multiple windows, a brick chimney, and tropical plants.

OUTSIDE

Make sure the lawn looks presentable; however, a fresh cut is not necessary. Roll up hoses and arrange outdoor furniture, including open umbrellas. Make sure trash cans are out of sight; either putting them in the garage or moving them to the street, as far away from the front of the house as possible.

A bedroom with a large bed with white and beige bedding, three stuffed pillows, and a dark green blanket. There is a wooden dresser with a mirror on the left, and a red leather armchair near the bed. Two bedside tables with lamps are on each side of the bed. The room has hardwood floors, a window with blinds and a valance, and a ceiling fan with wicker blades.

BEDROOMS

Make all beds and neatly arrange or hide children's toys. Vacuum or sweep all floors. Hide tissue boxes, personal items, excessive photos, remote controls, alarm clocks, wires, and phone chargers. The goal is to create a comforting and inviting atmosphere throughout the entire house. Double-check that all lamps have bulbs and are properly plugged in.

Aerial view of a suburban neighborhood near the coastline with houses, trees, and streets, overlooking the ocean.

FINALIZE

Right before your Rouse Real Estate Media shoot, ensure all interior lights are switched on, blinds are open, and ceiling fans are turned off. Replace any bulbs that are out and accessible. Additionally, please remove all vehicles from the driveway and do not park in front of the house.

IMPORTANT TIPS

To help your photo session go as smoothly as possible, there are a few things to keep in mind. If you need to quickly tuck away items before the shoot, the garage or laundry room makes for a great temporary hiding spot. If those aren’t available, under-bed storage or inside closets is perfectly fine — just be sure those closet doors stay closed during the shoot. For a clean, timeless look, it’s best to remove seasonal decorations ahead of time.

Everything visible in the room will show up in the photos, so be sure to remove any personal items, valuables, or sensitive documents you wouldn’t want captured. Before the shoot begins, we’ll gladly walk through the home with you and offer light staging suggestions or micro-adjustments. However, we won’t be able to move items between rooms during the session — everything should be fully staged and photo-ready before we arrive.

Lighting makes a big difference in how your home looks on camera, so please make sure all interior lights are working and turned on. Open the blinds or curtains to bring in natural light unless there’s a distracting view you’d prefer to keep hidden.

We also kindly ask that you consider vacating the property during the shoot. This helps us move efficiently from room to room without interruption and ensures we’re not in each other’s way. If you’re unable to leave, we recommend staying in a room that has already been photographed.

Lastly, don’t forget about your pets! We love them too, but they can be unpredictable during a photo session. For their safety and ours, please secure them in a crate, garage, or take them offsite if possible.

Thank you for trusting Rouse Real Estate Media to photograph your home — we’re excited to help you make a picture-perfect first impression!