Great photos are a vital element of a successful sales campaign. Most people's first impression of your property will not be up close and personal, it’ll be through the photographs presented in the online listing. The camera’s eye is different from the human eye and it tends to magnify any issues or anything that doesn’t look perfect. So spending time preparing your property for the photo shoot is time well spent…plus it will help you prepare it for the all-important open homes. To ensure your property is shoot ready when the photographer arrives, here’s a room by room photo styling checklist to help turn your property into a super model. Throughout the property
Thoroughly clean the whole house (vacuum the carpet, mop wooden floors, clean benchtops)
Clean all your windows
Clear clutter off any surface
Turn all ceiling fans off
Turn all TVs off
Turn all computer screens off
Remove all personal photographs
Ensure all shoes and toys are put away
Open all blinds, shutters and curtains to bring in natural light
Turn on all lights
Create a feeling of space in each room – remove surplus furniture and make sure mirrors aren’t in places that will reflect in the photos
Curb Appeal
Close the garage doors
Remove your car/s from the driveway and from the front of the property
Clean up landscaping (sweep paths, mow the lawn, trim shrubs, clear dropped leaves)
Ensure all cobwebs from around the cornices and door frames are removed
Remove visible water hoses
Remove toys, sports equipment, soccer goals etc
Potentially add pot plants outside front door
Kitchen
Clear the clutter from any benches
Ensure there is no old fruit in a fruit bowl
Leave one to two nice appliances on the bench
Remove everything from the fridge doors including magnets, artwork and flyers
Hide garbage bins
Ensure no dishes are in the sink
Close the dishwasher door
For a splash of colour a bowl of fresh citrus fruit can make a great centre piece
Dining table
Remove all clutter from the table
Place a centre piece on the table such as a vase of flowers in a colour that compliments the rest of your décor or a decorative bowl or ornament
Straighten up any chairs and ensure they are evenly spaced around the table
Remove high chairs or booster seats
Living / Family room
Remove stacks of magazines, newspapers and mail
De clutter book shelves, fire place mantel, television cabinet
Hide remote controls
Plump up cushions
Remove / hide any kids or animal toys
If you have indoor plants – remove any dead leaves and dust large leaves
If you don’t have indoor plants consider adding a couple – great for photos and for open homes
Bathroom
Remove all toiletries from the vanity – no toothbrushes, deodorant or clutter
Remove shampoos, soaps etc from showers and bathtubs
Ensure toilet seat is down
Add a new toilet roll
Add some nice soap, a small flowering plant and perhaps a candle
Add fresh plump towels
Pull open the shower curtain
Bedroom
Make all beds neatly…think hospital corners If need be iron bed linen and bed ruffle
Remove all personal items from bedside tables. A small stack of books, a light and a small pot plant is all you need here
Remove all family photos from the walls
Clean under bed, removing items that may show up in the photos
Remove any wall stickers in kid’s rooms
Tidy bookshelves and remove some items if it looks very cluttered
Pets
Hide food and water bowls and litter boxes
Remove pet beds and toys
Vacuum sofas to ensure there is no animal hair
Keep pets out of the house
Ensure front and backyard are clear of pet toys
Highlight special features
If you have certain spaces that you want to highlight, make sure you tell the photographer. For instance, you may want a feature Your display shelves Fire place or fire pit – but make sure it has a fire or the photographer photoshops in a firePool or spa – but make sure they are sparkling clean Most importantly we are here to help you, so please ask us any questions you have about how to maximise your properties photo potential.
