16May
We love a good transformation. But here’s the truth: no amount of fancy camera gear or editing software can fix clutter, crumbs, or a bathroom full of half-squeezed toothpaste tubes.Whether you're an agent or a homeowner, prepping a house before your shoot is a game-changer. So we created this practical (and slightly funny) checklist to help you nail it.
🔲 The Ultimate Real Estate Photo Prep Checklist
1. Outside First: Curb Appeal Still Counts
- Mow the yard, edge the walkways
- Remove garden hoses, trash bins, and rogue yard gnomes
- Sweep porches and patios
- Park cars away from the driveway—this isn’t a Toyota ad
- Add a cute welcome mat or potted plant if you’re feeling fancy
2. Inside: Clean Like Your Mother-In-Law is Coming
- Vacuum, dust, wipe mirrors, and declutter all surfaces
- Hide all personal items: toothbrushes, remotes, pet bowls, mail piles, etc.
- Remove everything from the fridge doors—no magnets, calendars, or kid art
- Open blinds and turn on all lights—yes, even that one in the closet
- Replace any burnt-out bulbs (we’re looking at you, flickering vanity light)
3. Bedrooms: From Lived-In to Magazine-Ready
- Make the beds like you’re auditioning for HGTV
- Clear nightstands and dressers of phones, cups, chargers, etc.
- Store laundry out of sight—we beg you
- If the kids' room looks like a toy explosion… do your best
4. Dining Room + Living Room: Simple, Clean, Inviting
- Remove extra chairs and clutter
- Fluff the pillows, fold the throws
- Tidy up cords and hide power strips
- One nice centerpiece is enough—no need to recreate a wedding reception
Bonus Tips for a Smooth Photo Day:
- Pets: Please take them for a walk or contain them—our drone is not dog-proof
- Be ready before we arrive—our job is to shoot, not stage
- Plan to be off-site during the shoot if possible—buyers need to see space, not people
Want It Even Easier?
We send this checklist out to every client before shoot day, and we’re happy to help agents educate sellers too. At 8040 Media, we’re all about making your listings look amazing—and saving you from awkward convos about overflowing laundry baskets.
đź“ž First Shoot Free for New Agents
We’d love to show you what we can do—on the house.
Call us at (903) 352-4929 to book your first shoot free (includes 16 photos, 4 drone shots, and a 30-second vertical walkthrough video).
Must call to book!
Already one of our favorite humans? Don’t forget:
📢 Refer another agent and get a $25 credit after they book.
Just another perk of working with 8040 Media.
Email us at info@8040media.com or visit www.8040media.com to learn more.
Comments