Pre-Photograph Advice to Clients

Pre-Photograph Advice to Clients

 

Many of us have things lying around that make our house our home. We don’t necessarily notice everyday clutter or normal smells such as pet odours, and we can turn a blind eye to maintenance issues. But unfortunately, visitors don’t always think the same way, especially if they’re considering buying your home. Artistry is anxious that your home be presented in a way that we know from experience will be perceived most favourably by potential buyers. The first time they will see your home will be in our photographs and we’ve provided general pointers to preparation that could make all the difference before our photographer arrives (as well, perhaps, being useful prior to viewings):

 

Exterior

• Park cars in garage (although we may want to photograph inside there too) or off-site at least 10 metres from either side of the boundary (the photographer uses wide-angle lenses to capture the entire frontage of the property and we may try to photograph a street scene too)
• Ensure bins are out of sight, both yours and, ideally, your neighbour’s (it might be worth taking into account bin collection day)
• Ensure windows are clean. Note that sunny days can show up smearing which cannot be edited out
• Maximise the look of climbing plants (roses, wisteria, etc.), by pruning/deadheading/training, for instance
• Clear any fallen leaves, tidy up hedges and de-weed driveways etc.
• Consider adding potted plants if they would soften the driveway or add interest around the front door
• Prepare garden furniture – regardless of season, covers should be removed and even in winter months adding cushions may be appropriate
• Collapse rotary dryers or, ideally, remove completely into a shed or garage
• Remove pet and children’s toys
• During spring and summer, consider mowing lawn before photographers visit and viewings

Entrance Hall

• Remove excessive numbers of coats and shoes (one or 2 coats can work well)
• Remove or consider replacing dirty doormats

General Interiors

• A clean (professional or otherwise) is always worthwhile for windows and carpets
• If you have working fires, consider lighting them in winter months
• If you’re painting walls or woodwork, it’s obviously best to allow drying time before the photographer’s visit
• The photographer lights each room manually using flash, but for viewings ensure some mood lighting (lamps on for example (our viewing guide may do this anyway)
• Airing the house out in advance of viewings can really help

Sitting Room

• Remove pet and children’s toys
• Hide wires/cables
• Reduce quantity of family photos if appropriate (these can be pixelated in post-production but the results can look excessively edited)

Kitchen / Utility

• Remove pet beds, bowls, litter trays etc.
•  Tidy worktops and hide branded food products
• Add bowl of fruit or flowers (Photographer may reposition these on the day of the shoot)
• Empty sinks of crockery and cutlery and ensure worktops are clean
• Ensure cooker hob is clean
• Hide cleaning products such as soap, scrubbers, handwash and washing up liquids
• If visible, empty clothes from washer / dryer
• Unplug and hide chargers, if possible
• Remove items from above wall units, if possible

Bedrooms

• As in hotels, pristine beds that are free of creases can make a good impression, but don’t overload with cushions or extra pillows
• Remove clothes and dressing gowns from the backs of doors to allow the photographer to open the door wider to get a better angle
• Hide wires/cables
• Put away all clothes and shoes
• Ensure there is nothing showing underneath beds, if possible. Standing the furthest away from the bed will allow you to check that nothing is showing
• Remove items from above wardrobes, if possible (perhaps place in loft or garage for the duration of the photoshoot)
• Remove cups, medications and phones (including chargers) from sides of beds

Bathrooms / Ensuites

• Thoroughly clean shower screens to remove hard-water marks (sunny days show up smearing)
• Replace loo rolls with new and remove loo brushes and bins
• Remove all cleaning and washing products from behind toilets, on sides of baths and inside showers, including sponges, shower caps and squeegees (unless displayed by design – although brand names are not supposed to be seen)
• Ensure toilet seats are closed
• Clean any polished metal fixtures and fittings
• Remove excess towels
• Remove bathmats unless design-led
• Remove dressing gowns from the backs of doors (for reasons stated above)

Study / Offices

• Ensure personal/financial details are not in sight
• Switch off monitors
• Ideally, tidy any papers and stage bookshelves
• Hide cables, where possible

Pets

Whilst we are pleased to be introduced to pets, please ensure they are kept away from the photoshoot, if possible, to avoid photography equipment being knocked over.

We hope that the above is of some help in making your home look its very best for selling purposes. Our photographer is very experienced in capturing the most compelling images of houses, but feel free to point out your own favourite view(s) of your home if you wish.

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