How Do I Get My Home Ready for Listing Photos?

Last updated October 2026

Before real estate became my full-time work again, I spent about 20 years in high-end restaurant and bar service. In that world, a table is reset until it looks right from the guest's chair, not from the server's side. I use the same eye when I walk a home before photos. The camera is the guest, so I stand where it will stand.

Where should I start before the photographer comes?

Start with clutter, because the camera makes it look worse than it is. A wide lens picks up every cord, magnet, and pile. Give yourself at least a week so you are not rushing the night before.

• Pack up personal photos and collections. Buyers should notice the room, not your life in it.
• Clear kitchen and bath counters down to one or two items.
• Take everything off the front of the refrigerator.
• Put away mail, keys, chargers, and pet bowls.
• Lock up medicine, jewelry, and paperwork with account numbers. Photos go online for anyone to see.

A rented storage unit or a friend's garage works. Hiding it all in a closet is fine too, as long as you close the door for the shoot.

What should I do in each room?

Each room needs one clear purpose and clean, open floor. Here is the checklist I walk through with sellers:

• Kitchen. Wipe the stovetop, faucet, and appliance fronts. Hide dish soap and sponges. A bowl of lemons or one plant is plenty.
• Living room. Pull furniture slightly away from the walls if it helps the room look open. Fluff and line up the pillows. Fold any throws.
• Bedrooms. Make the beds tight with plain, light bedding. Clear the nightstands. Nothing under the bed should show.
• Bathrooms. Put the toilet lid down. Hang matching towels. Remove bath mats, razors, and shampoo bottles from the tub ledge.
• Dining area. A simple table works better than a full place setting. Center one item and leave the rest bare.
• Garage and closets. Photographers may skip them, but buyers will open them at showings. Neat now saves work later.

Replace burned-out bulbs and make sure they all match in color. A warm bulb next to a cool one looks odd in a photo.

How do I get the lighting right?

Use as much daylight as you can, and add every lamp on top of it. Bright rooms read as larger rooms in photos.

• Open all blinds and curtains. Raise blinds fully if they are dated or bent.
• Turn on every light, including under-cabinet lights and lamps.
• Turn off ceiling fans and TVs. A spinning fan blurs, and a black screen looks like a hole in the wall.
• Ask your photographer what time of day the main rooms get the most light. Plan the shoot around it.

What coastal details show up in listing photos?

Salt air and sand leave marks that the camera catches. Living near the beach adds a few chores most checklists leave out.

• Windows and sliders. Salt spray leaves a cloudy film on glass. Wash windows inside and out, plus the sliding door tracks. If the view is a selling point, this matters most.
• Porches and decks. Sweep sand off. Rinse furniture and cushions. Set out only the pieces that fit, and arrange them to face the view.
• Railings and fixtures. Wipe down metal railings, outdoor lights, and door hardware. Note any rust spots you want to fix before the shoot.
• Outdoor shower and storage. Clear out the beach chairs, boogie boards, and wet towels. Close storage doors.
• Curb appeal. Pressure wash the driveway and walk if needed. Trim plants away from windows. Put trash cans out of sight. Move cars off the driveway and street in front of the house.

Should I get drone or twilight photos?

They can help when location is part of the story, like water, a golf course, or a short walk to the beach. Twilight photos show the home glowing with the lights on. Drone photos show the lot and what is around it.

If you use a drone, hire someone who follows FAA rules. The FAA says flying a drone for business falls under Part 107, which requires a certified remote pilot. Federal rules also require prior air traffic control authorization in certain airspace near airports. A certified pilot knows how to check that for your address.

For twilight shots, turn on every interior and exterior light, open the blinds, and leave porch lights on. Check that all bulbs work before the sun goes down.

Frequently Asked Questions

How far ahead should I start getting ready for listing photos?

Give yourself at least a week. Decluttering and window cleaning take longer than most sellers expect.

Should I be home during the photo shoot?

It is usually easier if you step out. If you stay, keep pets and people out of the room being photographed.

Do I need to clean my windows before listing photos at the beach?

Yes. Salt spray leaves a film on glass that shows in photos, and it blocks the view buyers want to see. Clean inside, outside, and the slider tracks.

Does a drone photographer need a license?

The FAA says drone flights for business fall under Part 107, which requires a remote pilot certificate. Ask your photographer to confirm they hold one.

Related Reading

Free Home Valuation: See What Your Home Is Worth
Selling Your Home in Horry County, SC
Selling Your Home in Brunswick County, NC
Sell and Downsize in Coastal Carolina

DANIELLE KING, REALTOR®

Results that MOVE you

843-203-9962 | 910-981-1311  ·  DANIELLE@YOURKEYTOREALTY.COM
YOURKEYTOREALTY.COM  ·  LICENSED IN NC & SC

REALTY ONE GROUP DOCKSIDE