Pre-Shoot Preparation Guide

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Helping Your Listings Shine ✨

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Preparing your property before a professional real estate photo or drone shoot makes a significant difference in how your listing appears online. Clean, bright, and thoughtfully prepared spaces create stronger first impressions, attract more buyers, and help your property stand out in today’s competitive market.

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At Elevate Listing Media, our goal is to showcase every home at its absolute best. The following preparation tips will help ensure stunning results and a smooth, efficient shoot day experience.

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 ✨ General Home Preparation

Creating a clean, bright, and inviting environment helps your property appear more spacious, polished, and market-ready in professional photography and drone media.

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To help us capture your home at its best, please prepare the property before the scheduled shoot:

• Remove personal photos, memorabilia, and sensitive items

• Store pet bowls, bedding, toys, litter boxes, and crates out of sight

• Clean windows, mirrors, and glass surfaces until streak-free

• Remove trash cans, floor mats, excess rugs, and unnecessary clutter

• Turn on all interior and exterior lights prior to the appointment

• Replace burnt-out bulbs for balanced and consistent lighting

• Use matching light bulb color temperatures whenever possible

• Turn off all ceiling fans and televisions

• Open blinds and curtains to maximize natural light

• Hide visible cords, chargers, and small electronics whenever possible

• Clear kitchen and bathroom countertops of excess items

• Ensure vehicles are removed from the driveway when possible

• Mow lawns, trim landscaping, and remove outdoor clutter before drone photography

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A well-prepared home allows us to create stunning photography and cinematic drone content that helps your listing stand out and make a strong first impression.

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 ✨ Helpful Tip

Less is more. Clean, uncluttered spaces photograph beautifully and help potential buyers better envision themselves living in the home. A simple, well-prepared environment allows your property’s best features to stand out in both photography and aerial media.

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🌿 Exterior & Curb Appeal

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Your exterior photos create the first impression buyers see online. A clean, well-maintained exterior immediately enhances curb appeal and helps your property stand out from the competition.

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To ensure the best possible photography and drone results, please prepare the exterior before the shoot:

• Remove vehicles from the driveway and in front of the home whenever possible

• Store trash bins, hoses, tools, toys, bicycles, and sports equipment out of sight

• Remove real estate signs unless otherwise requested

• Sweep driveways, walkways, patios, and porches

• Mow lawns, trim landscaping, and rake leaves

• Add fresh mulch to flower beds when possible

• Remove weeds, dead plants, and yard debris

• Clean and neatly arrange outdoor furniture and cushions

• Remove pool covers, cleaners, toys, and visible debris

• Hide extension cords, garden tools, and outdoor equipment

• Ensure gates, fences, and garage doors are clean and properly positioned

• Turn on landscape and exterior lighting if available for twilight sessions

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A polished exterior helps create stunning listing photography and aerial media that capture buyers' attention at first glance.

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🚁  Drone Shoot Preparation

 

Please ensure neighboring driveways, front areas, and surrounding spaces are as clear as possible to help capture clean, professional aerial imagery and showcase the property at its best.

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🛋 Living Rooms & Common Areas

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Living spaces should feel warm, open, and inviting to help buyers emotionally connect with the home.​

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Please prepare these areas before the shoot:

• Remove TV remotes, gaming systems, and visible cords or wires

• Clear excess décor, magazines, paperwork, and unnecessary clutter

• Neatly arrange pillows, blankets, and accent pieces

• Remove pedestal or oscillating fans when possible

• Straighten furniture, rugs, and décor items

• Add subtle accents such as fresh flowers or tasteful coffee table décor

• Turn off televisions and computer monitors

• Ensure floors and surfaces are clean and free of visible dust or debris

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Well-staged living spaces create a welcoming atmosphere that photographs beautifully and enhances the property's overall presentation.

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🍽 Kitchen & Dining Areas

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​A clean, bright kitchen is one of the most important features buyers notice in listing photography.

 

​Please prepare the kitchen and dining areas before the shoot:

• Clear countertops of small appliances, cords, and clutter

• Remove magnets, notes, calendars, and photos from refrigerators

• Hide dish soap, sponges, drying racks, and trash cans

• Store dishes, hand towels, and cleaning supplies out of sight

• Thoroughly clean stainless steel appliances and reflective surfaces

• Turn on the oven light to create warmth and ambiance

• Arrange dining chairs neatly and evenly

• Add a simple centerpiece or tasteful table setting if desired

• Remove pet bowls and food containers from visible areas

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Clean, organized kitchen and dining spaces help create bright, polished images that make a lasting impression on potential buyers.

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Avoid

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Avoid overdecorating countertops or leaving too many items visible. Clean, simple spaces photograph best and allow buyers to focus on the home’s features rather than distractions.

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🛁 Bathrooms & En Suites

Bathrooms should feel bright, fresh, clean, and spa-like in listing photography.

Please prepare bathrooms and en-suites before the shoot:

• Thoroughly clean mirrors, countertops, sinks, and shower glass

• Remove toiletries, razors, toothbrushes, and personal care products

• Store trash cans, tissue boxes, bathmats, and cleaning supplies out of sight

• Display fresh, neatly folded towels

• Close all toilet lids

• Align towels, rugs, and décor neatly for a polished appearance

• Remove items from shower shelves, tubs, and countertops whenever possible

• Ensure chrome fixtures and glass surfaces are streak-free

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A clean, organized bathroom helps create a luxurious feel that enhances the property's overall presentation.

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​🛏 Bedrooms

Bedrooms should feel calm, spacious, comfortable, and uncluttered.​

 

Please prepare bedrooms before the shoot:

• Make beds neatly using wrinkle-free bedding

• Remove excessive pillows, personal photos, and personal items

• Clear nightstands and dressers of unnecessary items

• Store laundry baskets, clothing, and shoes out of sight

• Hide visible cords, chargers, and electronics whenever possible

• Open blinds or curtains to maximize natural light

• Straighten rugs, lamps, and furniture for a clean presentation

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Well-prepared bedrooms create a relaxing atmosphere that helps buyers imagine themselves living in the space.

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🚪 Entryways & Hallways

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Entryways create an important first impression and help set the tone for the rest of the home.

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Please prepare entryways and hallways before the shoot:

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• Remove shoes, jackets, bags, umbrellas, and floor mats

• Clear hallway clutter and unnecessary furniture

• Ensure entry doors, glass, and mirrors are clean and streak-free

• Straighten rugs, artwork, and décor items

• Turn on entry lighting and replace burnt-out bulbs if needed

• Keep pathways open and visually uncluttered

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A clean, welcoming entrance helps create a bright and inviting flow throughout the home.

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👷 Property Access & Shoot Day Information

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To help us create the highest-quality media for your listing, please ensure the property is fully prepared before our arrival.​

 

Please:

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• Ensure the property is photo-ready before the scheduled appointment time

• Minimize foot traffic during the shoot whenever possible

• Avoid scheduling contractors, cleaners, movers, or landscapers during photography sessions

• Secure pets or arrange for them to be off-site during the appointment

• Provide gate codes, lockbox details, access instructions, or special notes ahead of time if needed

• Ensure all rooms and areas to be photographed are accessible upon arrival

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Important

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Photography sessions are scheduled efficiently throughout the day. Having the property fully prepared before arrival helps maximize results, maintain scheduling, and ensure a smooth experience for everyone involved.

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📸 Drone & Twilight Shoot Notes

Drone and twilight photography create stunning, cinematic visuals that help listings stand out online and make a powerful first impression.

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Please:

• Turn on all interior and exterior lighting before the session

• Replace any burnt-out light bulbs beforehand

• Ensure pool lights, landscape lighting, and accent lighting are operational

• Remove vehicles from driveways and curb areas whenever possible

• Close garage doors unless otherwise requested

• Turn off sprinkler systems during the scheduled shoot time

• Secure or remove loose outdoor items that may be affected by wind

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Twilight and aerial media can significantly enhance luxury, premium, and showcase listings by adding warmth, atmosphere, and visual impact.

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Thank You for Choosing Elevate Listing Media 🏡 📸  

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