Shoot Prep — oakmontvisuals studio

"The best photography starts before we arrive. A well-prepared home can mean the difference between good photos and extraordinary ones."

We've put together this guide to help agents and homeowners get the absolute most from every Oakmont Visuals shoot. Follow these steps and your listing photos will stand out from every other home on the market.

Feel free to share this page directly with your sellers — it's designed to be easy to follow and covers everything from cleaning to lighting to the morning of the shoot.

Jump to Checklist Book Your Shoot

The Four Most Important Things

Declutter every surfaceCounters, tables, and floors clear of personal items.

Turn on every lightEvery lamp, overhead, and under-cabinet light in the home.

Open all blindsNatural light dramatically improves every interior shot.

Move vehiclesClear the driveway and street in front of the property.

Outside

Exterior Preparation

First impressions begin outside. The exterior shot is often the hero image on MLS — make it count.

Mow, edge, and trim the lawn

A freshly cut lawn makes an enormous difference. Edge along driveways and walkways for a crisp, clean look.
Remove all vehicles from the driveway and street

Cars in the frame are one of the most common distractions in listing photos. Clear the entire front of the property.
Put away hoses, trash cans, and lawn equipment

Anything that doesn't belong in a magazine photo should be stored out of sight — including garden hoses, bins, tools, and sports equipment.
Sweep the driveway, walkways, and porch

Debris, leaves, and dirt on hard surfaces are very visible in photos. A quick sweep takes two minutes and makes a real difference.
Clean windows and glass doors

Streak-free windows let light in cleanly and prevent reflections. Pay special attention to entry doors and large picture windows.
Tidy the porch, patio, and outdoor living areas

Patio furniture should be arranged neatly. Outdoor cushions should be clean and in place. Remove any clutter or personal items.
Plant fresh flowers or add seasonal color Optional

A few potted plants or fresh flowers near the front entry adds warmth and curb appeal with minimal effort.

Inside

Interior Preparation

Clean, bright, and uncluttered interiors photograph beautifully. Less is almost always more.

Turn on every single light in the home

Every overhead light, lamp, under-cabinet light, and accent light should be switched on before we arrive. Warm bulbs photograph better than cool or fluorescent.
Open all blinds, curtains, and window treatments

Natural light is your best friend in interior photography. Fully open every window treatment to let in as much natural light as possible.
Declutter all surfaces — counters, tables, shelves

Remove everything from kitchen and bathroom counters. Clear nightstands, coffee tables, and dining tables. A few intentional decorative pieces are fine — but less is more.
Remove all personal photos and personal items

Family photos, personal keepsakes, and religious items should be stored away. Buyers need to visualize themselves in the space — not the current owners.
Hide all cords, cables, and chargers

Phone chargers, TV cables, and power strips are surprisingly distracting in photos. Tuck them behind furniture or tape them out of sight.
Make all beds neatly — no wrinkles

Beds should be made with crisp, clean linens. Remove extra pillows that look messy and ensure everything is symmetrical and tidy.
Close all toilet seats and lids

A small thing that matters. All toilet lids closed, towels neatly hung or replaced with fresh ones, and counters clear of toiletries.
Remove pet items — beds, bowls, crates, toys

All pet-related items should be stored away for the shoot. This includes food bowls, leashes, beds, and crates. Also ensure pets are not in the home during the shoot.
Empty and clean the kitchen sink

No dishes in the sink or on the counter. Wipe down all appliances and remove magnets, notes, and anything attached to the refrigerator.
Vacuum carpets and mop hard floors Day of

Clean floors photograph beautifully. Vacuum any carpet lines visible and ensure hard floors are streak and footprint free before we arrive.

Key Rooms

Kitchen & Bathrooms

These rooms sell homes. Extra attention here pays dividends in final images.

Clear all kitchen countertops completely

Remove toasters, coffee makers, knife blocks, and every other small appliance. Leave only one or two intentional decorative items at most — a bowl of fruit or a vase of flowers works well.
Clean all appliance surfaces

Wipe down the stovetop, oven, refrigerator, dishwasher, and microwave. Stainless steel should be streak-free. Remove magnets and papers from the fridge.
Replace old or worn kitchen hardware Optional

Updated cabinet pulls and drawer hardware is an inexpensive improvement that makes kitchens look significantly more modern in photos.
Clear bathroom counters completely

Remove all toiletries, soaps, toothbrushes, and personal items from bathroom counters and the shower. Store them under the sink or in a cabinet for the shoot.
Hang fresh, matching towels

Coordinated, freshly laundered towels folded neatly on the rack look significantly better in photos than mismatched everyday towels.
Clean mirrors, glass, and fixtures until streak-free

Bathroom mirrors and faucets should sparkle. Soap scum, water spots, and streaks on glass are very visible in photography.

Day of Shoot

Morning of the Shoot

A few final details on shoot day to ensure everything goes smoothly and efficiently.

Turn on all lights 30 minutes before we arrive

Lights take a few minutes to reach full brightness — especially warm incandescent bulbs. Having them on before we arrive saves time and ensures everything is at full brightness.
Do a final walk-through of every room

Walk each room with fresh eyes before we arrive. Look for anything left on counters, lights that are off, or items that need to be moved. It's much easier to address these before the camera comes out.
Ensure pets are out of the home or secured

Dogs, cats, and other pets should not be loose in the home during the shoot. They can appear in reflections, startle buyers, and slow down the process significantly.
Confirm all vehicles are moved

Double check that the driveway and the street directly in front of the property are completely clear — including your own vehicle and any neighbours' cars nearby.
Be available for the first few minutes of the shoot

It's helpful to be on-site or reachable when we arrive to confirm access and point out any specific features you'd like highlighted. We're happy to work independently once we have access.
Provide us access to all areas to be photographed

Ensure we have keys, codes, or access to any locked rooms, gates, garages, or outbuildings that are part of the listing. Delays on shoot day slow down same day delivery.

Staging

Staging Tips

You don't need a professional stager for great photos — a few thoughtful touches go a long way.

Add fresh flowers or greenery to key spaces

A simple bouquet on the kitchen counter or dining table adds life and warmth. White or neutral flowers photograph particularly well.
Set the dining table simply

A simple place setting or a centerpiece on the dining table helps buyers understand the scale of the space and makes it feel inviting rather than empty.
Fluff and arrange sofa cushions and throws

Cushions should be plump and symmetrically arranged. A neatly folded throw adds texture and warmth without cluttering the space.
Consider virtual staging for vacant homes Add-on

Empty homes are harder for buyers to connect with. Our virtual staging add-on digitally furnishes vacant rooms with high-quality, realistic furniture — transforming the listing at a fraction of physical staging costs.
Use neutral, consistent towels in bathrooms

White, grey, or neutral toned towels create a spa-like appearance that photographs beautifully. Fold them consistently and hang symmetrically.
Highlight unique features intentionally

Fireplace? Light it or stage the mantle beautifully. Wine cellar? Make sure it's accessible. Pool? Ensure the water is clean and the area is spotless. Let us know what features you want to showcase.

When to Do It

Your Prep Timeline

1–2 Weeks Before

Deep Clean & Declutter

Full deep clean, storage of personal items, and removal of excess furniture. Book your shoot.

3–4 Days Before

Landscaping & Exterior

Mow, edge, trim, power wash, and complete all exterior prep work.

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1 Day Before

Stage & Style

Add fresh flowers, arrange towels, set the table, fluff cushions, and complete interior staging.

Morning of Shoot

Final Touches

Vacuum, mop, turn on all lights, move vehicles, and do a final room-by-room walk-through.

Same Day

Photos Delivered

We shoot, edit, and deliver your fully polished listing photos the same day. Ready to list.

Pro Tips from our photographers.

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Replace any burnt out bulbs beforehandDark or missing bulbs create uneven lighting that's difficult to correct in editing. Walk every room and replace any that are out — including closets and utility areas.

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Match your bulb color temperaturesMixing warm and cool bulbs in the same room creates color cast issues. Try to use the same color temperature throughout — warm white (2700K–3000K) photographs best.

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Don't over-stage — negative space is valuableA common mistake is filling every surface with decor. Restraint is more powerful. Clean, open spaces feel larger and more luxurious in photos.

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Let us know what you want to highlightHave a stunning wine cellar, a rooftop deck, or a custom feature? Tell us when you book. We'll make sure it gets the attention it deserves.

Common Mistakes to avoid.

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Leaving cars in the drivewayOne of the most common issues we see. Even one car in the driveway significantly detracts from the exterior hero shot. Clear the entire front of the property.

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Shooting with toilet lids upSounds minor — but it comes up more often than you'd think. All toilet lids should be down for every bathroom photo.

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Leaving pets in the homeA dog that barks or a cat that wanders through every shot adds significant time to a shoot and can appear unexpectedly in images. Please make sure pets are secured or off-premises.

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Waiting until the day of to declutterRushing decluttering on the morning of the shoot leads to visible stress and things getting missed. Start at least a week out for the best results.

Shoot Prep Guide. Look your best.