Preparing Your Home For A Photoshoot During The COVID-19 Pandemic
Updated: Mar 26, 2020
The following is our photoshoot preparation checklist with special instructions to keep your photographer, tenants, and agents safe and healthy.
When cleaning use closets, unfinished spaces, and garages to hide clutter. Do NOT hide items under beds or other furniture, the camera will see that.
You may want to consider hiring a cleaning service, landscapers, and painters for a fresh coat of paint where needed. If you are already moving into your new home or concerned with your furniture, talk to your agent or message us for suggestions and whether or not you should hire a professional stager.
Prepare the inside of your home by doing the following:
Whole House
Clean windows
Hide all valuables
Turn on all lights and make sure each room has the same color bulbs (tungsten, fluorescent, white, yellow, etc.)
Ceiling fans, TV's, and computer screens turned off
Put blinds all the way up and remove large window treatments in order to open up space
Remove all clutter from visible areas
Hide all trash cans
Leave no trace of pets (no food bowls visible, litter boxes, crates, etc.)
Vacuum, Swiffer, mop, sweep all floors
Remove small rugs to show off more floor
Remove personal photos and religious items
Kitchen
Minimize items on counter including toasters and coffee makers
Empty sink
Countertops and appliances wiped down
Clear refrigerator of any images, magnets, decoration
Living Areas
Remove furniture that does not fit comfortably
Arrange furniture
Hide remotes and wires
Bedrooms
Make all beds
Hide hampers
Clear off dressers and furniture
Remove door hangers to allow the door to completely open
Bathrooms
Toilet seats down
Remove all soaps, shampoos, toiletries, etc.
Wipe down countertops, mirrors, and fixtures
Place decoration towels out
Outside
Clean windows
Hide trashcans, hoses, flags
Cars out of driveway and garage closed
Mow lawn within 2 days of shoot
Open patio umbrellas
Uncover grills, patio furniture, hot tubs, and pools
It is important to minimize contact with anything in the home and maintain social distancing. If you are confident that nothing needs to be changed after the photographer arrives, leave the property or hang out in an unfinished area like a garage to maintain your distance. It is important to prepare by turning on all lights and opening all doors for the photographer. Additionally, you should provide cleaning wipes to handle door knobs and make sure all area that are touched are then wiped down.