Home Preparation Tips

General: The home must be decluttered, cleaned and fully prepared with all interior, exterior and pool lights turned on prior to your San Diego real estate photography shoot. If the home is on a lockbox it’s important that someone has inspected the home prior to the shoot to confirm the space is ready for San Diego real estate photography. We will not be moving construction items, paint cans, patio furniture, garden hoses, trash cans, ladders or other miscellaneous items that may have been left out by residents, tenants, prior visitors or contractors. The front and back yards should be well landscaped and dry for your San Diego real estate photography shoot. We will be going in and out several times during your San Diego real estate photography shoot so irrigation should be timed to minimize any wet grass. Please move all vehicles from the driveway. Depersonalize the spaces and remove family photos for your San Diego real estate photography shoot if you have privacy concerns. Please reschedule any home maintenance or repair providers such as gardeners, pest control, contractors, etc. The home must be fully ready to shoot upon our arrival with all lights turned on and shades in your preferred position. Please secure the pets and remove any evidence of pets. We love animals, but can't have them wandering around while shooting stills or video and we'll be leaving the doors open for some of the pictures. The best situation is when the home is unoccupied during your San Diego Real Estate Photography shoot. However, we can usually work around tenants and homeowners when it's impossible to get them out of the house.

Outside: Please remove garden hoses, garbage receptacles, pool toys, fire pit covers, pet waste, holiday lighting, leaves and any other item that may be distracting or contribute to clutter. Remove any patio furniture you don't want in the pictures. It's usually easier to move an unwanted item than to remove it in post production. Do not light fire pits or outdoor BBQ’s unless advised to do so. It’s usually best to remove the BBQ cover depending on the condition of the appliance for your San Diego real estate photography shoot. Please remove or open the spa cover and turn on spa lights. You can leave the pool hoses in the pool. We'll remove those in post production. Turn on all hanging lighting fixtures for your San Diego real estate photography shoot. Open outdoor umbrellas unless it’s windy or the canopy blocks an important view. Please turn on any outdoor heaters at the request of your San Diego real estate photographer. Please leave outside floor mats in place for your San Diego real estate photography shoot.

Fireplaces and Fire Pits: We normally deliver your San Diego real estate photography with and without flames in the fireplaces and fire pits. However, when shooting San Diego real estate videography at twilight, we'll want to light the fires in the operable fireplaces or fire pits when possible. Please advise your San Diego real estate photographer of any fire pits or fireplaces that are inoperable so we don't add digital flames to these home features that are not working.

Windows and Screens: Windows need to be clean inside and out for the best results. This is particularly important when the home has ocean or scenic views. If there are important views involved, then it's best to remove the screens or just leave them off after the windows have been washed. If the windows are fogged, don't worry about it. We'll make it work one way or another.

TV's and Computer Monitors: We normally deliver your San Diego real estate photography with the TV monitors blacked out and another version of the same image with a generic scenic image on the monitor. Please turn off any TV or computer monitors during your San Diego real estate photography shoot. Remove the covers on any outdoor TV monitors. Turn off any colored back lighting behind the TV monitors.

Aquariums: Please turn off any aquarium lights if they are colored especially on a twilight shoot.

Colored Accent or Backlighting: Please turn off any colored accent or back lights and remove any plug-in insect traps that include lighting.

Under Counter Lighting: If the under counter lights are well balance with the other interior lighting, then leave them on. However, if they are not balanced, they can make unwanted color casts on the countertops. In that case, leave them off.

Light Fixtures: It's very helpful if all the interior and exterior light fixtures are working properly and have bulbs with matching color temperatures. Please check the lamp shades to insure they are straight and symmetrical. Please turn on pool and spa lights for any twilight shoot. Advise your photographer if any pool or spa lights are inoperable so we can set up some underwater lights early on. It's always smart to turn on all the lighting, inside and out, well before we arrive to insure everything is working as it should. This is particularly important on a sunset twilight shoot.

Inside: Insure all fixtures, furniture and decorations are placed exactly as you would like them to appear in the photos for your San Diego real estate photography shoot. Consolidate electrical and cable cords. Please set all doors, windows, and window blinds in the exact position you would like them to be photographed by your San Diego real estate photographer. Close any doors or sliders that open into areas that you do not want photographed such as a linen closet, pantry or storage area. Vacuum all carpeted areas. Sweep or mop all non carpeted flooring surfaces. Turn on all lighting fixtures inside and outside. Windows and mirrors should be as clean as possible. Turn off computer monitors, TV’s, and ceiling fans. For video, we'll want to turn on the fans. Avoid large table decorations that block or limit the view of important spaces.

Kitchen and Dining: Remove all miscellaneous items and small appliances from counter top surfaces. This might includes paper towel rolls, dish racks and towels, sponges, soaps, cleaning supplies, food items, stoppers, coffee makers, blenders etc. Remove pet food bowls, trash and recycling receptacles, high chairs, floor mats, etc. Remove any tape or magnets from the refrigerator during your San Diego real estate photography shoot.

Living Room: Remove remotes, magazines, pet beds and blankets, bean bag chairs, holiday decorations and any other item that will help create a larger living space. Check the alignment of cushions and placement of pillows and throws. Leave the TV turned off. Set blinds and sliders in the exact position you would like them to be photographed during your San Diego real estate photography shoot.

Garage: Please advise your San Diego real estate photographer if you would like us to shoot the garage area. It’s worth shooting only when the garage is clean and well organized.

Bedrooms: Please confirm the bedding and pillows are positioned properly. It’s helpful if any items under the bed are completely concealed. Close the closet and other doors unless you would like to shoot into these areas. Confirm that windows and blinds are positioned in exactly the way you want them to appear in photos for your San Diego real estate photography shoot.

Bathrooms: Please remove all personal items from vanity and shower. This includes soaps, shampoos and grooming items. Clean mirrors and shower glass. Remove floor mats, plungers, cleaning brushes and trash cans. Position the shower curtain in the exact position you would like it to be photographed. Generally, we do not shoot a room that contains a toilet only. Please discuss your preferences with your San Diego real estate photographer. Toilet seats should be in the closed position. Remove clothing items that might be hanging on a bathroom door or wall hook for your San Diego real estate photography shoot.