pre-shoot preparation guide

Click any of the links on the right to jump to the corresponding checklist.

questions? visit shoot FAQ
shoot terms & conditions

GENERAL PREPARATIONS

It is requested that the homeowner is not at home for the duration of our shoot to ensure a smooth process from start to finish. This includes any pets. As much as I love homeowners and animals, having to shoot around people can increase shoot times. Typically, other rooms are visible from certain angles in photos and videos, and having the property to ourselves improves the quality of the final product.

It is required there are no stagers, workers, landscapers, pool cleaners, pets, inspectors, etc. present at the time of our shoot. It’s also appreciated if no showings are happening and additional photographers / videographers are not present during our shoot.

Typically, properties will be shot “as-is,” so please make any adjustments to furniture, decorations, florals, clutter, etc., before I arrive.

Communicate any specific photo requests, video requests, or any necessary information prior to our shoot so I can best prepare before arriving on-site. The pre-shoot questionnaire / form is perfect for this.

Use garages and small closets for storage. These rooms typically are not captured and are perfect for storing items and removing clutter from main areas.

EXTERIOR PREPARATIONS

remove all trash cans from being visible — typically, they can be out of sight, but the drone will see them if they are outside. moving them in to a garage or underneath a covering is ideal.

remove all cars. any cars in a driveway, carport, or visible from the drone will be seen in images and videos. it is also requested that any cars parked directly in front of the property are moved so we can get the most clear shots of your property as possible.

remove hoses — this can’t always be done, but if possible, remove any hoses hanging from walls, laying down, pool hoses, and landscaping hoses prior to my arrival.

mow, trim, and clean up yard. if possible, clean the landscaping and exterior paths, driveway, etc., as much as possible to get the most desirable look out of the final images and video.

turn off sprinklers — if possible, do not water plants the same day of our shoot to avoid concrete and landscaping being wet in the final photos and videos.

prep water features, exterior lighting, etc. turn on all water features and exterior lights (sconsces, uplighting, landscape lighting, pool light, etc.)

clean patio furniture — remove spider webs, leaves, etc. do not hose down patio furniture the day of our shoot to avoid wet furniture in the final images and videos.

remove all spa covers, pool covers, furniture covers, etc.

INTERIOR PREPARATIONS

declutter kitchen — a few items on the counter are typically fine (coffee machine, organized dishes, etc.) but remove all sponges, cleaning supplies, paper towels, mats, magnets, pictures, etc. please also remove trash cans from being visible.

declutter bathrooms — remove toothbrushes, toilet paper, personal hygiene products (including in the shower), shower mats, etc. please also remove or hide small trash cans.

prepare bedrooms: all bedrooms should have the beds made, personal items stowed away in a closet, minimize visible cables and cords, etc.

ceiling fans in all rooms should be completely turned off before i arrive.

all windows and doors should be closed before i arrive. i will open/close doors as needed for each image.

open all blinds, curtains, and shades covering windows looking to the exterior of the home.

leave the lights off for photography — if we are shooting photos, I prefer the lights to be completely off (including lamps / accents)

turn the lights all on for video — if we are just shooting video, please turn all lights including lamps and accessories on.

TWILIGHT PREPARATIONS

twilight photography looks incredible when done correctly, but it is imperative that:

1) all lights, interior and exterior, are on and at full brightness

2) pool lights are on

3) pool covers, spa covers, and exterior furniture covers are off

4) manually turn on any additional exterior features such as water features, additional lighting, uplighting, landscape lighting, etc

5) ensure that all trash cans, debris, covers, leaves, etc., still remain unseen during twilight.

Typically, any landscape lighting or any accessory lighting that is on a timer comes on too late, after the sun has gone down. This means that this lighting often won’t be captured in photography. Please communicate with the homeowner prior to our shoot if we are capturing twilight that these lights must be turned on manually via mobile app or switch.

There is a small window for capturing the best twilight photos after it is too bright and before it is too dark, so ensuring all of these items are complete is crucial to getting the desired output.