Home Seller: Photography Checklist

One of the most important aspects of selling a home is taking quality images.

Your realtor has invested in hiring Ryan O’Donnell Photography to photograph your home.

The images of your home will appear on the MLS and in national websites such as Zillow, Trulia, Realtor, and more!

By completing this checklist your home will be ready!

Your buyers are searching and your agent is ready.

The National Association of Realtors has conducted multiple studies showing that professionally photographed homes get on average 61% more views, 31% less days on market, and sell for more money!

Please provide 3 days notice to cancel or reschedule to avoid a cancellation fee.

Homes that are not ready upon arrival will be charged a cancellation fee of 60% and rescheduled.

Ryan O'Donnell Photography provides 10 minutes of home prep assistance upon arrival.

Includes adjusting blinds, shower curtains, straightening chairs and setting the lights in a manner that make for better photography.
Giving recommendations for larger items that may be better if moved or removed by the home owner.
After the home is ready please feel free to go out for a coffee or run errands for the duration of your photo shoot.

Ryan O'Donnell Photography does not provide house keeping services:

Please be set and ready or the appointment will need to be rescheduled and a cancelation fee will be charged.

Ryan O'Donnell Photography does not provide moving or home staging services:

Please have all items staged, moved, or hidden from view prior to the photographers arrival.

Getting ready for architectural photography, less Is more!

Large items, boxes, or picture frames that you would not like in the photos must be moved to a garage or closet prior to arrival.
Photoshop removal of objects and material defects is not a service provided.
Blue Sky replacement is included and we love cloudy days.
TV screen replacement is also provided so please turn off all screens.
Please make plans for people, pets, and items that you would like to not have shown and keep out of view of windows.

Do not attempt to move items room-to-room ahead of the photographer.

Your appointment duration cannot be exceeded, everything must be moved prior to your photographers arrival.
2 to 4 different specialized cameras, for HDR Photography, 3D virtual tours, Drone, and Cinematic Video Tours will be used.
Attempting to move items, people and pets out of view of multiple cameras moving room to room is not possible.

Garages and closets are not photogenic, so feel free to fill them up!

We do scan closets and garage for measurements so please make them accessible.

Please provide 3 days notice to Cancel or Reschedule to avoid a cancelation fee.

Homes that are not ready upon arrival or are inaccessible will be charged a cancellation fee of 60% and rescheduled.

Day-of Cancelations and reschedules will be charged a cancellation fee of 50%
1 Day Notice Cancelations will be charged a cancellation fee of 40%

Please let us know if you will not be ready in time.

Our business depends on it and we can't do it without your help.

Your appointment includes much more than 1-2 hours on location.

Our most popular photo package broken down: 34 HDR photos / 3D Tour / Drone = 8 hours of service.

2 hours 10 minutes on location photographing the home and creating a 3D tour are reserved.
4 hours 30 minutes of editing photos and adjusting the 3D tour are reserved.
Up to 1 hour 30 minutes of travel to and from your property are also reserved.
Total Reserved time is an average of 8 hours of work between photographer and editor.
Last minute cancelations are detrimental to our small buisness.

Full Terms of service are available here

Photography Check list:

Please complete everything on the list before your appointment.

Please make sure "Items In Yellow" are ready before your photographer arrival.

INTERIOR

Turn ON All Lights inside and out: All Lights should be on at maximum brightness.
- Don't forget: Above and below cabinet lighting, wall lamps, stove hood, china cabinet light, entertainment center light, desk lamp. All outside lights including front, patio and pool areas should also be on.
Turn OFF fans so that fan blades are not moving.
Light Dimmers should be set to brightest setting.
App / RGB / Remote Controlled lights should be set to White / Daylight / 100% Brightness

Your Light Bulbs have a HUGE impact on the quality of the photography.

Pro Tip: For Magazine quality images and a model home look, please use daylight colored lighting.

Daylight color temperature light bulbs (5500 K) are the best for photography and show colors accurately on camera.
Use the maximum wattage supported by each light fixture.
Light Bulbs: Don’t mix color temperature bulbs in the same fixture, i.e. warm white & cool white.
Warm Yellow light bulbs will make your room look yellow in photos.
Make fan and lighting Remotes Visible with working batteries. Leave fan, light and fireplace remotes in the open.
Turn off All TV's and Computer Monitors. Hide TV and other remotes from view.
Remove cat litter boxes, cat and dog food/water bowels, pet bedding, pet toys, and other pet related items.
Remove and hide everything possible, phones, chargers, papers.
Clean carpets, wooden and tile floors.
Arrange or remove some furniture to make the room appear bigger. Less is more!
Remove interior doormats and worn rugs and hide.

Do not attempt to move items room-to-room ahead of the photographer.

Your appointment duration cannot be exceeded, everything must be moved prior to your photographers arrival.
2 to 4 different specialized cameras, for HDR Photography, 3D virtual tours, Drone, and Cinematic Video Tours will be used.
Attempting to move items, people and pets out of view of multiple cameras moving room to room is not possible.

WINDOWS

Custom Drapes – leave in place, if affixed, otherwise, move to each side of the window.
Curtains – moves curtains to each side of the window.
Blinds – Lower blinds entire length of window and adjust blinds to horizontal position.
Rolled paper, bamboo, other – roll to top of window or adjust to horizontal position.

KITCHEN

Clear counter tops: toasters, coffee makers, paper towels, towels, soap, food, etc.
Garbage Can hidden or moved to garage.
Close all cabinet doors and draws.
Clean counter tops, stove tops and all reflective surfaces like refrigerators and microwave doors.
Remove all stickers, magnets, photographs, notes, etc. from front and sides of refrigerator.
No dishes in the sink.

BEDROOMS

Verify that Bedding and pillows are clean and straight.
Remove items from underneath bed, if coverlet does not extend to floor.
Clean room and place everything into closet or drawers.
Remove everything from nightstands and dresser tops.

BATHROOMS

Remove everything from counter tops.
Remove everything inside the shower.
Close the toilet seat lid.
Clear the top of toilet tank, and hide out of sight.
Clean Mirrors, counters, chrome, and shower glass.

EXTERIOR

No cars in driveway, in front of house or in view from inside windows.
Move Garbage and Recycling Cans from view.
Close garage door.
Remove the giant spiders and webs from the screened corners of the pool deck.
Open patio umbrellas; arrange outdoor furniture for everyday use.
Sweep leaves, dirt etc., from driveway, walkways, patios, decks.
Fresh mulch has a big impact on curb appeal.
Coil garden hose onto garden hose stand or remove.
Do not wash driveway and/or patios with water day of photographers arrival.
Clean pool and remove floating objects from water.
Remove yard signs, etc. from flowerbeds.

Congratulations, by completing these steps you are now ready for your photographers arrival!