It's essential to prepare for your shoot to ensure that your home is looking its very best.
Like most photography agencies, we photograph homes in their current condition, so the final outcome can be influenced by weather and seasonal changes. To help us deliver the best possible results, we kindly ask that the property is fully prepped and free of visual distractions before our arrival.
Here’s a detailed checklist to help you get ready for your photo shoot:
Please declutter the home by removing boxes, excess items, and personal belongings. Feel free to rearrange furniture and clear off surfaces like kitchen counters and bathroom vanities. Note: Our team cannot move items due to liability concerns related to damage or injury.
You can stage the space yourself or consider alternatives like hiring a professional or using Virtual Staging (available for $20 per image). Simple touches—like setting the dining table or adding decorative items—can go a long way in enhancing visual appeal.
Make sure every light—both inside and outside—is turned on, including smaller ones like bedside lamps and garage lights. Replace any burnt-out bulbs in advance to avoid uneven lighting in your photos.
Open all curtains and blinds to let in natural light. If a window isn’t in good shape, you can tilt the blinds open rather than fully raising them. Please repair or secure broken blinds before the shoot, as our team cannot adjust them during the session.
If you're able to, taking off window screens can help us achieve clearer, more vibrant photos. While this isn’t required, we recommend it when possible.
Turn off all ceiling fans but leave remote controls in a visible spot in case adjustments are needed for video footage. TV screens can be left on or off; reflective surfaces are typically edited during post-processing.
Please park cars, trailers, and RVs at least 100 feet away from the property to keep them out of drone shots. If relocating vehicles isn’t an option, placing them in the garage is a good alternative. You might also ask neighbors to temporarily move their cars if they might be visible.
Tidy up exterior areas by removing patio covers, setting up outdoor spaces like firepits, mowing the lawn, and hiding trash bins if possible.
Unlock all doors throughout the property—even if certain areas don’t need to be photographed. Access allows us to accurately include all spaces in your home’s total square footage for floor plans.
Wipe down windows, mirrors, and shower doors. Sweep, vacuum, and mop floors as needed to present a clean environment.
Straighten all picture frames and organize decor. If you prefer, you can temporarily remove personal photos—or we can edit them out during post-production.
We strongly recommend that homeowners and agents vacate the property during the session. Even if someone is quietly moving from room to room, it can be distracting and impact the pace and quality of the shoot. Minimizing interruptions helps us stay on schedule and focused on capturing the best images.
Pets—even if confined outdoors—can interfere with photography, especially during drone or virtual tour work. If possible, please take pets with you or arrange for them to stay elsewhere during the appointment.
Each location brings unique considerations when shooting at twilight. Mountain areas, tree coverage, or east-facing homes may need custom lighting or timing. If you’ve booked twilight services online, you will receive a call from us to confirm that we’ve scheduled enough time for all requested shots.
By following this preparation guide, you’ll help us capture stunning, high-quality images of your space. If you have questions or need clarification on any part of this checklist, feel free to reach out at info@skylightcolorado.com.