About Me…

Photography Prep Checklist | www.propertymedia-burnley.co.uk

My goal is to capture your home at the highest possible quality—images that truly wow buyers and encourage strong offers. To help your photoshoot run smoothly (and safely), here’s an important note about weather and what to expect on the day.

🌤️ Don’t Worry About the Weather

Many people assume that sunny, blue-sky days are ideal for property photography—but it’s actually the opposite. Bright sunshine creates harsh shadows, blown-out highlights, and limits the angles I can use for clean, consistent photos.

☁️ Cloudy Days Are Perfect

Overcast skies act like a giant soft-box, giving beautifully even, diffused light across the whole property. This helps me produce bright, airy, flattering images of both the exterior and interior.
And don’t worry—I replace the sky in editing with a realistic blue sky, giving you the best of both worlds.

 General Prep

❑ Be shoot-ready
Please ensure all cleaning and staging is fully completed before I arrive—ideally the day before your photoshoot. I may move small décor items (such as flowers, candles, or small frames) to improve composition, but larger items must already be positioned, and any staging accessories should be set up in advance.

❑ Secure or remove pets
I love pets, but they cannot be present during the photoshoot. For safety reasons and to protect equipment, dogs must be secured or off the property. Cats should also be secured, even though they tend to hide. Please also remove pet bowls, beds, toys, and other pet-related items.

❑ Plan not to be seen
All occupants should either leave the property during the shoot or stay in areas that will not be photographed. Rooms often overlap in photos, and people can create unwanted reflections, shadows, or distractions. Equipment will also be set up throughout the property, so limiting movement keeps the shoot run smooth and efficient.

❑ Use the garage for storage
Garages are usually not photographed, making them a perfect place to store items you’d prefer to keep out of sight. Boxes, laundry, personal items, or excess décor can all go here during the shoot.

❑ Align your blinds
If you have window blinds, please ensure they are straight and aligned. Set them to a 50:50 position between open and closed for a clean, balanced look. If you have a particularly nice view, feel free to open them fully.

❑ Turn off all screens
Please turn off all TVs, computer screens, laptops, tablets, and CCTV monitors before I arrive. Dark screens look cleaner in photos and prevent unwanted reflections or colour casts.

Get each room ready before the shoot…

Please ensure each room is fully prepared and set exactly how you want it to appear in the photos. Anything you don’t wish to be shown—personal items, clutter, paperwork, laundry, toiletries—should be removed before the shoot begins.

If you have booked video or a 360° virtual tour, please note that we cannot move or adjust items once filming has started. These formats require the space to be completely ready, as any changes mid-shoot will be visible.

Being fully prepared ensures a smooth, efficient session and the best possible results for your listing.

 Photography Prep Checklist | www.propertymedia-burnley.co.uk

Outside Preparation Checklist

❑ Clear the cars
Please ensure no cars are parked in the driveway. If possible, also move any vehicles from the street directly in front of the home. A clear view of the exterior always makes for stronger listing photos.

❑ Do NOT wet the driveway
If a glossy, wet look is desired, I can add this during editing. Wetting the driveway can create patchy areas or puddles that don’t photograph well, so it’s best to leave it dry.

❑ Hide bins
Wheelie bins should be placed out of sight—either at the side of the house or inside the garage.

❑ Hide garden hoses
Please store hoses the day before your photoshoot, as moving them on the day often leaves water drips or puddles which will show in the images.

❑ Mow and trim the garden
Please complete any mowing, trimming, sweeping, or general garden tidying at least 24 hours before your scheduled shoot.

❑ Turn off sprinklers
Avoid watering the lawn on the day of the shoot to prevent puddles or wet patches on paths, patios, or driveways.

❑ Pick up pet waste
If you have a dog, please ensure the garden is completely clear of droppings before the shoot.

❑ Prepare the pool or spa
If you have a pool or spa, please remove covers and make sure the water is clean and debris-free. For spas, please provide your agent with instructions on how to turn it on if needed.

❑ Prepare water features
Clean and ready any fountains, waterfalls, or ponds, and provide your agent with instructions if they need to be switched on.

❑ Clean outdoor furniture
Dust and wipe down any patio furniture and remove any cobwebs. Please avoid hosing furniture on the day, as this may leave visible puddles or splash marks.

 Photography Prep Checklist | www.propertymedia-burnley.co.uk

Inside Preparation Checklist

❑ Declutter the kitchen
A few tidy items on the countertops are absolutely fine, but please put away dishes, sponges, tea towels, and cleaning supplies. Remove magnets, photos, and papers from the fridge for a cleaner look, and take any throw rugs off the floor.

❑ Declutter the bathrooms
Please hide all personal items such as toothbrushes, toothpaste, razors, and toiletries. Decorative items like candles, plants, or unused soaps work perfectly. Remove any bathroom floor mats or throw rugs for a cleaner, more spacious appearance.

❑ Prepare the bedrooms
Beds should be neatly made, with clutter removed from bedside tables, countertops, and floors. Straighten pillows and throws for a polished finish.

❑ Hide all bins
Visible bins can distract in photos, so please store them in closets, cupboards, or the garage during the shoot.

❑ Hide portable fans
Ceiling fans are part of the home, but portable fans are not ideal for listing images. Please store all portable fans out of sight.

❑ Hide cords and remotes
Where possible, conceal electrical cords, TV remotes, chargers, game consoles, and wires. Tidier surfaces and floors help rooms appear larger and more inviting.

❑ Clear entryways
Please remove shoes, coats, umbrellas, pushchairs, and bags from entryways and hallways to create a clean, welcoming first impression.

❑ Open blinds with views
If a window offers a nice view, please open the blinds fully. If the view is unappealing (e.g., looking into a neighbour’s wall), set blinds to allow light in while blocking the view.

❑ Turn on all lights (if they are white lights and not orange or any other colours)
Before I arrive, please make sure every interior light is switched on. Replace any burnt-out bulbs at least 24 hours prior to avoid mismatched lighting. If you have any featuring lighting like colour LED Lighting its best to keep these off for the photos as they have strange colour casts throughout the photo.

❑ Turn off ceiling fans
Ceiling fans must be turned off before the shoot begins, as moving blades cannot be edited and appear blurred in photos.

Photography Prep Checklist | www.propertymedia-burnley.co.uk

360 Virtual Tours

If you have ordered a 360 Virtual Tour with your agent then please read through the following information carefully.  There are two types of 360 Virtual Tours, Matterport and Vieweet, both need the following done prior to my arrival.

❑ Clean up the house as best you can, hide anything you don’t want on the tour in your garage, sheds or even in your car until after the shoot.

❑ All doors to rooms you want on the tour will need to be wide open. Please remove anything hanging on the back of doors such as coats or dressing gowns.

❑ Remember these are not photos, they are scans, so it can see everywhere so we can’t move anything during the shoot. If something is moved then the tour will not work and we will have to do it all again.

❑ Turn on all interior lights: All lights throughout the property need to be turned on. Please replace all burned-out bulbs at least 24 hours before the photoshoot.