Common Questions About Preparing for a Real Estate Photo Shoot

Each answer below stands on its own, so you can jump to the one you need. If you would rather work from a full checklist than look up individual answers, our complete home preparation guide walks the property room by room. Browse our portfolio to see how a well-prepared listing photographs.

Should I leave the lights on for real estate photos?

Yes — turn on every light in the house before the photographer arrives, including lamps, under-cabinet lighting, and bathroom vanity lights. Interior light adds warmth and depth that a flat, unlit room does not have. Walk the property the evening before and replace any burnt-out bulbs, since a dark fixture leaves a dead spot that editing cannot fully recover. Where you can, use bulbs of the same color temperature within a single room; mixing warm and cool tones creates an uneven cast across the frame. Also switch off every ceiling fan, because spinning blades photograph as a blur.

Do I need to move cars out of the driveway?

Yes — move every vehicle off the driveway, and off the street directly in front of the house if you can. The front exterior is almost always the lead image on a listing, and a parked car cuts across the lines of the house while hiding the entry, the landscaping, and part of the facade. An empty driveway also reads as more space. Parking a few doors down for the hour the shoot takes is usually enough. While you are outside, roll the trash and recycling bins out of view, coil up hoses, and put away lawn tools and toys.

Should my pets be home during the photo shoot?

Ideally not — take pets off the property if you can, or confine them to one room or the garage that we photograph last. Pets wander into frames, and a dog following the photographer from room to room slows the shoot down considerably. Before we arrive, put away food and water bowls, litter boxes, crates, beds, and toys, and vacuum visible pet hair from upholstery and rugs. Buyers respond better to listing photos with no visible sign of animals. If a pet does have to stay in the house, just tell us which room and we will work around it.

How long does a real estate photo shoot take?

Most standard photography shoots take about 60 to 90 minutes for a mid-size home. Adding a 3D tour, floor plans, or drone coverage extends that, as do larger properties, multiple outbuildings, and extensive grounds. The single biggest variable is preparation: a home that is fully ready when we arrive shoots quickly, while one that still needs counters cleared and lights switched on can add half an hour. Whatever the package, your finished media is delivered the next day by 12:00 PM, and no payment is due until it is in your hands.

Do I need to be home during the photo shoot?

No — you do not need to be present, as long as access is arranged in advance. Many shoots are handled with the listing agent on site or through lockbox access. If you are home, that is completely fine; the shoot simply moves faster if you can stay a room ahead of the photographer or wait outside, since we need clear sightlines and no one in frame. The one thing worth doing either way is a final walkthrough right before we arrive to confirm lights are on, blinds are open, and counters are clear.

Final Thoughts

Preparing your home for photography does not require a full renovation, just thoughtful organization and attention to detail. A well prepared property allows professional photography to highlight its strengths and attract stronger buyer interest.

If you are unsure about preparation before your scheduled shoot, contact us anytime. You can also view our detailed preparation guide with room-by-room checklists for photography day.