Most buyers will see your home in photos long before they ever step inside, so getting ready for the photographer is just as important as getting ready for showings. A house that looks spotless in person can come across as flat on camera. Lenses have a way of exaggerating stray cords, dark corners and anything sitting on the floor. Before your professional shoot, run through these seven often-missed details.

1. Maximize the Light

A camera does not see light the way your eyes do, and a room that feels bright to you can look gloomy in a photo. To fix that:

  • Open every curtain and blind, even in the laundry room and basement.
  • Switch on all the lights, including lamps and closet fixtures.
  • Swap out dim or dead bulbs, and keep the color of your bulbs consistent. Daylight tones in the range of roughly 4000K to 5000K work best.

2. Go Beyond Tidying to Depersonalizing

Clean is a good start, but you also want to remove anything that is very personal or pulls focus.

  • Take down family photos, name signs and anything featuring faces or words.
  • Clear off counters, desks and nightstands. One or two neutral pieces are plenty.
  • Remove magnets, vision boards, mail and kids’ artwork from the fridge and walls.

The point is to make it easy for buyers to picture their own lives in the space.

3. Clear the Floors

Anything on the floor will end up in the shot. Pet beds, extra chairs, baskets, toys and small rugs all add visual noise. Put away whatever is not essential, and pull up throw rugs unless they are simple and help define the space. This is especially important in living rooms, kitchens and bedrooms.

4. Hide the Cords

You probably never notice your cords, but the camera will. Unplug and put away chargers, power strips and extension cords wherever you can. Run lamp and TV cords behind furniture or secure them with clips. Stash routers, remotes and speakers unless they genuinely add something to the room.

5. Polish the Bathrooms

Bathroom photos carry a lot of weight, and any clutter or grime is obvious right away.

  • Clear all toiletries off counters and out of the shower.
  • Close the toilet lid and tuck away the trash can and toilet brush.
  • Hang clean, matching towels, and remove bath mats unless they are spotless.
  • Wipe down mirrors and shine chrome fixtures.

6. Don’t Forget the Front of the House

The exterior is often the very first image buyers see, so give it the same attention as the inside. Sweep the porch and walkways, and pressure wash the driveway if you have one. Mow and tidy the lawn and cut back overgrown plants. Put away trash bins, hoses, tools and toys. A refreshed front door, new hardware and a clean doormat can also make a difference.

Exterior upgrades can pay off, too. According to Zonda’s 2024 Cost vs. Value Report, replacing a garage door returns about 194% of its cost, a steel entry door about 188%, and manufactured stone veneer about 153%.

7. Clean Every Window

Dirty glass cuts down on natural light, muddies the view and makes rooms look dull. Wash windows inside and out, take off any screens that are bent or dusty, and polish glass doors and mirrors. For best results, clean your windows the day before the shoot, particularly if the weather has been rainy or dusty.

Final Thought

You do not need a perfect home for great photos. You just need to make deliberate choices so your home looks clear, clean and inviting online. If you would like help deciding where to focus, reach out and I will set up a personalized pre-listing walkthrough of your home.