10 Things Your Real Estate Photographer Desperately Wants You To Know

Professional photos for real estate listings has reached it's tipping point. It's now common knowledge among realtors that your property will sell much quicker if the images are well composed, evenly lit, and taken with a sharp, wide angle lens. That means hiring a professional.

1. It's All About the Views!

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Your views, whatever they may be should be unobstructed and pointed out immediately to the photographer. Clean windows are a must here. But before the professional photographer arrives ...

Prepping your home for photos is no small undertaking and takes advance planning and executing. If you have domestic help, schedule the photographer early in the afternoon after they leave (and before the kids get home). Photos should be taken the day after the gardeners do their magic.

2. Your Front Image is the First One Viewed Online

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Remove all cars from the driveway. Weathered porch furniture and outside items should be put away. This includes colorful garbage/recycling bins and the basketball hoop. A fresh coat of paint on the front door gives a great first impression, along with a pot of perky seasonal blooms.

3. The Back: Your Lifestyle Shot

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It goes without saying that all windows, mirrors, and doors throughout the house should be sparkling clean. Open all blinds and curtains to give an expansive atmosphere. There should be no BBQ's or patio furniture blocking the windows. New, colorful pillows and open umbrellas on the patio give a welcoming feel. Again, the lifestyle and lovely views of your property are what you are selling. The extra effort to make it as enticing as possible goes a long way.

4. The Living Room

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To prep the living room remove all clutter from the tables, with the exception of a well placed book or vase of flowers. Get rid of extra pillows, throws and ottomans. Ottomans are floor eaters and make your living space appear smaller in photos. Remove any family pictures and expensive artwork. Your private space will soon be going live, online.

5. The Dining Room

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The dining room seems to be the least used room, and thus collects the most clutter. To make it look spacious remove the extra leaves from your table and put them, plus the extra chairs in the garage. Since there is usually a hanging light fixture, center the table on it and put a minimal, low lying centerpiece for enhancement.

6. The Family Room

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Most living happens in the family room and kitchen area. Out to the garage go all but a few pillows, toys, toy furniture, and ottomans. Throw open the blinds on all windows and sliders, and pick up the throw rugs covering those beautiful floors. Turn the TV off and hide remotes out of sight. Pet beds go out to the garage as well. Continue on with the same instructions from the living room.

7. The Kitchen

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Thank goodness the kitchen is usually close to the garage! Tote out the microwave, toaster oven and all other heavy-looking appliances. Remove dish towels and other distracting decor along with your pet's feeding bowls. Counter space is precious real estate to prospective buyers, so you need it to loom large, and uncluttered in your photos. A small, well placed bowl of fresh fruit works well here. Put the knives in the garage also. For some reason knives have a negative impact in photos. Bad ex's perhaps?

8. Bedrooms

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Open all blinds and curtains in the master bedroom. Make sure the bed is tightly made with no lumps, and the bedspread is even along the sides. Since spacious is what we are after, remove the bench at the foot of the bed and that treadmill you bought for your spouse. Continue on with the same instructions from the living room and repeat in the rest of the bedrooms.

9. Bathrooms

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Counter space in the master bath, and all baths is also at a premium. Clear off all personal items, jewelry and bulky items hanging on the backs of the doors (they show in the mirrors). Clear out the tubbie toys and bulky, monogrammed towels. Most people keep the bathroom blinds closed but they need to be open for the pictures.

10. The Foyer

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The foyer, or entrance should be clear of shoes, slippers, key & hat racks, umbrella stands, dog leashes, rugs or any other distracting items.

Just before your photo appointment, turn all lights and lamps on. Make sure every light bulb works, and matches the rest in color and intensity. Turn all fans off. If left on, they will look like twirling helicopter blades in your photos. Put all toilet seats down!

It should take thirty to sixty minutes to photograph your home. Since it's costing your realtor a few hundred dollars they will greatly appreciate it if your property is photo-ready.

And no, you don't have to do this for every showing, just for your photos!