How to Get Your Home Ready for Listing Photos: A Room-by-Room Checklist

Joshua MacFarland
Jun 22
2 min read

Updated: 5 days ago

Your shoot is booked and the listing goes live next week. Want to know what makes the biggest difference in how the photos turn out? Honestly, it's about two hours of prep the day before. Good listing photos start before anyone picks up a camera, so here's the room by room rundown we walk sellers through across South Carolina and Virginia.

The stuff that shows up in every shot

Before you fuss over any one room, knock out the things that land in every frame. Open the blinds and let the light in. Turn on every lamp and overhead, and swap any dead bulbs so the color stays even. Shut off the ceiling fans so they don't blur. Then clear the floor: cords, pet bowls, trash cans, shoes, anything that grabs your eye. You want the place looking lived in, not in use.

Kitchen

Counters are the big one.

Clear them off except for a thing or two.
Stash the dish soap, sponges, towels, and the drying rack.
Strip the fridge. Magnets, photos, the kids' drawings, all of it.
Wipe down the stainless so fingerprints don't show on camera.

Living room

Fluff the cushions and square up the throw pillows.
Grab the remotes, the chargers, and that pile of mail.
Thin out the personal photos and whatever's on the coffee table.
Straighten the rugs and angle the furniture so it shows off the room.

Bedrooms

Make the beds. Neutral bedding always photographs best.
Clear the nightstands down to a lamp and maybe one small thing.
Tuck away laundry, shoes, and anything on the floor.
Close the closet doors, unless the closet is a selling point.

Bathrooms

Get everything off the counters and the edge of the tub.
Hang fresh towels that actually match.
Hide the toiletries, and put the toilet lid down.
Quick wipe of the mirror and the faucets and you're good.

Don't skip the outside

Your exterior is the first photo a buyer sees, so give it a few minutes. Mow, edge, pull the weeds you can see, and sweep the walk. Move the cars out of the driveway and off the street in front of the house. Get the hoses and trash bins out of frame, and set the patio furniture like you'd actually use it. If the lot is a selling point or there's a view, that's usually where we'll put the drone up too.

A little effort goes a long way

Two hours of prep is about the best return you'll get for the time, and you'll see it in sharper photos, more clicks online, and fewer tire kickers at your showings. When you're ready, Beyond All Media shoots photos, drone, video, and 3D tours all over South Carolina and Virginia. Ring the Carolinas line at (864) 714-0724 or the Richmond office at (804) 913-3013 and we'll get you on the calendar.

More from us: read our full SC & VA real estate photography guide, or book a shoot.