How to Prepare Your Property for Stunning Photographs
Achieving the best photographs and video of your property requires a bit of preparation before we arrive. By taking these steps in advance, you ensure that the photography session goes smoothly and yields beautiful, market-ready images.
Key Preparation Steps
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Declutter and Clean:
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Declutter and thoroughly clean your property well ahead of the scheduled photography session. This allows our photographer to focus on capturing the best images without needing to move or adjust items.
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Remember, the less clutter, the better. Clean, open spaces are more appealing in photographs.
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Time Management:
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The photography session will typically take one hour. This session also includes the creation of a floorplan and video tour.
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Room-by-Room Guide:
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Follow our detailed room-by-room guide to ensure each area of your property looks its best. This will help you highlight the unique features of your home and create a welcoming atmosphere for potential buyers.
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Maximising Natural Light
Natural light can make a significant difference in property photography, enhancing the overall appeal of your home. Whilst our experts at Property Bee will ensure your photos look exceptional regardless of the weather, a few additional steps can help make the most of available natural light.
Tips for Utilising Natural Light
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Weather Considerations:
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While we can't control the weather, we can enhance the final images with digital edits, such as adding a blue sky.
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Clean and Polish:
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Ensure all surfaces, floors, and countertops are thoroughly cleaned and polished. Gleaming surfaces reflect light better, making your rooms look brighter and more inviting.
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Windows:
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Clean windows let in more natural light. Make sure to wash your windows well in advance of the photography session, as there won’t be time for this once the photographer starts setting up.
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Preparing the Kitchen for Photography
The kitchen is often the heart of the home, and presenting it in the best possible light can significantly influence potential buyers. Here are some tips to ensure your kitchen looks immaculate and inviting in photographs.
Kitchen Preparation Tips
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Declutter Key Areas:
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Clear kitchen worktops and remove any items stored on top of cupboards. You can keep essential appliances like the kettle and toaster, but remove less frequently used items such as smoothie makers or baby bottle sterilisers.
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Focus on Cleanliness:
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For a clean and spacious look, remove children’s drawings or magnets from the fridge. Ensure all surfaces are spotless and free of clutter.
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Hide Everyday Items:
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Tuck away washing up liquid, dishcloths, and other cleaning supplies in a cupboard before the photoshoot. These items can detract from the overall aesthetic of the kitchen.
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Photogenic Details:
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If you have a fruit bowl, make sure it’s generously filled to add a touch of color and life to the shot. A well-arranged fruit bowl can be a simple yet effective prop.
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Remove Pet Items:
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Take away pet-related items such as cat litter trays, dog beds, and bowls. While pets themselves can sometimes add charm to the photos, their accessories usually do not.
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Preparing the Living Rooms for Photography
The living room is where potential buyers will envision themselves relaxing and spending time with family. To ensure it looks inviting and spacious, follow these preparation tips.
Living Room Preparation Tips
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Privacy and Security:
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Whilst we can blur family photos, it's best to remove any private images as everything will be visible. Additionally, remove any valuable antiques, artifacts, or sensitive paperwork to keep them secure and out of sight.
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Cushion Care:
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Plump up all the cushions to make them look fresh and inviting. If they still appear worn out, consider replacing them temporarily. New cushions can add a touch of luxury and comfort, and you can always take them to your new home.
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Declutter:
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Remove newspapers, magazines, and cards, as they can quickly date the room. A clean, uncluttered space looks more appealing and timeless.
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Working From Home Setup:
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If you have a desk and files in the living room, clear them away before the photoshoot. A clutter-free room looks more spacious and allows potential buyers to imagine their own belongings in the space.
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Preparing the Bathrooms for Photography
Bathrooms are key selling points for many buyers, and presenting them as clean, stylish, and spacious can make a significant impact. Here are some tips to prepare your bathroom for the best possible photographs.
Bathroom Preparation Tips
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Declutter and Clean:
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Remove everyday items such as bottles of shampoo and shower gel, unless they are luxury brands like Molton Brown or The White Company, which can add a touch of elegance to the bathroom.
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Hide Personal Items:
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Take away children’s bath toys, towels, bath mats, loo brushes, and cleaning products like bleach. These items can detract from the bathroom's appeal and make it look cluttered.
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Highlight Features:
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Remove towels from heated towel rails to showcase these desirable features. Buyers are more interested in the fixtures that come with the property rather than personal items, no matter how stylish.
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Preparing the Outside Space for Photography
The exterior of your property is the first thing potential buyers will see, so it's important to make a great first impression. Here are some tips to ensure your outside space looks its best in photographs.
Outside Space Preparation Tips
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Clear the Driveway:
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Move any cars off the driveway while the photos are being taken. Ensure bins and recycling tubs are out of sight to maintain a clean and appealing look.
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Garden Furniture:
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Remove covers from garden furniture, set out cushions, and open the parasol umbrella if it is in good condition. This makes the space look inviting and ready for use.
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Tidy Up:
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Remove or retract and cover any rotary washing lines. Tidy away hoses, watering cans, and other garden tools to create a neat appearance.
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Children's Toys:
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Remove smaller toys like footballs, scooters, and bikes to prevent clutter and distractions in the photographs.
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Garden Maintenance:
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The garden should look cared for, even if it isn’t immaculate. Mow the lawn, weed the main flower beds, and trim any straggly hedges to present a well-maintained outdoor space.
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Preparing Props and Accessories for Photography
Thoughtful use of props and accessories can enhance the appeal of your home in photographs. Here are some tips to effectively use them while preparing your property for a photography session.
Props and Accessories Preparation Tips
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Fresh Flowers:
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Fresh flowers can make any room look more inviting and add a vibrant splash of colour. Our photographer can move them to different rooms and vases to maximize their impact throughout the property.
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Table Settings:
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There’s no need to set the table for a formal dinner, as this level of staging is typically reserved for show homes styled by interior designers. Keep it simple and natural.
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Lighting:
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Ensure all lightbulbs are working, especially ceiling spotlights, as they are often switched on for photos. While our photographers may avoid turning on lights with bare bulbs, certain rooms may benefit from the ambient lighting.
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Decluttering Storage:
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Use a boxroom, garage, or any non-photographed space to store items that have been decluttered from other rooms. This helps keep your home looking neat and organized during the photography session.
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