Preparing your home for a real estate photo shoot can make all the difference when trying to attract potential buyers in a competitive market like Orange County. With stunning properties, ocean views, and a high standard of living, homes in this region deserve to be showcased at their best. Whether you’re selling a cozy condo in Laguna Beach or a sprawling estate in Newport Coast, making sure your home looks picture-perfect before the photographer arrives is essential.
In today’s real estate world, buyers often make their first impression online. That means great photos can determine whether someone wants to schedule a showing—or keep scrolling. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help homeowners get their property ready for a real estate photo shoot that captures attention and adds value.
Start with a Deep Clean
Before anything else, your home needs to be thoroughly cleaned. Think of it as getting your home ready for a VIP guest—everything should shine. Pay special attention to floors, windows, countertops, and bathrooms. A clean space photographs better and helps buyers imagine themselves living in a well-maintained environment.
If cleaning isn’t your strong suit or you’re short on time, consider hiring a professional cleaning crew. This investment can pay off by making your home look pristine in photos.
Declutter Every Room
Clutter is one of the fastest ways to distract buyers from your home’s features. Take time to remove unnecessary items from every room. This includes piles of mail, remote controls, wires, personal toiletries, and excess furniture.
The goal is to create clean, open spaces that allow potential buyers to imagine their own belongings in the home. A decluttered room feels more spacious and inviting, which photographs beautifully.
Remove Personal Items
Buyers want to envision themselves in the home, and that’s difficult if they’re seeing your family photos on the wall or your child’s artwork on the fridge. Take down personal photos, religious symbols, and items with your name on them.
It may feel strange to depersonalize your space, but it’s a key step in helping others feel like the home could be theirs.
Enhance Curb Appeal
First impressions matter, and that includes the exterior of your home. Mow the lawn, trim bushes, sweep the porch, and remove any visible clutter like garden tools or trash bins. If your front door looks faded or dirty, give it a quick paint touch-up or scrub.
You might also want to add a few potted plants, a new doormat, or outdoor lighting to make the entrance more inviting. A beautiful exterior can make your listing stand out before buyers even see the interior photos.
Let in the Light
Natural light makes rooms look bigger, warmer, and more appealing. Open all curtains and blinds before the photo shoot to let in as much sunlight as possible. Clean your windows so they sparkle.
If a room doesn’t get much natural light, make sure all bulbs are working and turned on during the shoot. Use daylight-balanced bulbs to avoid harsh yellow tones. Lighting plays a huge role in how the space feels in photos.
Stage Strategically
You don’t need to hire a professional stager, but you should aim to arrange furniture and decor in a way that highlights your home’s best features. Place furniture to make rooms feel spacious and functional. If you have a fireplace, arrange seating around it to show it as a focal point.
Fresh flowers, tasteful throw pillows, and neatly made beds can add polish. The key is to make the space feel lived-in but not overly personal.
Pay special attention to the kitchen and bathrooms. Clear counters of appliances, put away sponges and soap dispensers, and add a clean towel or two. In the kitchen, a bowl of fresh fruit or a vase of flowers can add a welcoming touch.
Focus on High-Impact Areas
If you’re limited on time, focus your efforts on the rooms that make the biggest impact: the kitchen, living room, primary bedroom, and bathrooms. These areas are where buyers tend to look first and expect the most “wow” factor.
That said, don’t forget about bonus spaces like home offices, backyard patios, and walk-in closets. Highlighting functional spaces can help buyers visualize how they’d use the home.
Hide Pets and Their Belongings
You love your pets, but not every buyer will. Before the shoot, remove pet bowls, beds, litter boxes, and toys. It’s also best to keep pets out of the home during the shoot if possible. This not only keeps them safe but also prevents them from photobombing your listing.
Pet odors can also linger, so take steps to air out the house and maybe even use a neutral air freshener if needed.
Make Minor Repairs
That leaky faucet or squeaky door may not seem like a big deal, but it can show up in photos and suggest poor maintenance. Fix anything that’s broken, missing, or looks worn out. Touch up chipped paint, patch holes in walls, tighten loose handles, and replace burned-out light bulbs.
Taking care of these details in advance shows that your home is well cared for and move-in ready.
Create Balance in Each Room
Rooms should feel balanced in terms of color, space, and symmetry. Try to avoid awkward furniture placement or overly bold color schemes that could turn buyers off.
If one side of a room looks heavy with furniture or decor, consider removing a few items or repositioning things to restore balance. You want buyers’ eyes to move easily through the space.
Don’t Forget the Backyard
Outdoor living is a huge selling point in Orange County. Whether you have a big yard or a small balcony, take time to tidy up outdoor spaces. Arrange patio furniture neatly, put away gardening tools, and remove anything that looks out of place.
If you have a pool, clean it and remove covers. If there’s a view—especially of the ocean or mountains—make sure it’s fully visible and unobstructed.
Coordinate With the Photographer
Once your home is ready, talk with your photographer about the best time of day for lighting, angles they plan to use, and any features you want highlighted. Some photographers may offer twilight shots, drone photography, or detail close-ups for luxury properties.
If you’re working with a professional who specializes in Orange County real estate photography, they’ll understand how to capture the home’s style and natural light in a way that appeals to local buyers.
Do a Final Walk-Through
Right before the photographer arrives, do a walk-through of the entire home. Make sure:
- All lights are on
- All ceiling fans are off
- Toilet lids are down
- Closet doors are closed (unless the inside is being photographed)
- All surfaces are clear and clean
- No cords or electronics are visible
- Windows are spotless
Small details matter in photos. A few minutes of final prep can make a big difference.
Conclusion
Real estate photography is one of the most powerful tools in your home-selling toolbox. In a highly visual market like Orange County, quality photos can boost interest, increase showing requests, and even raise your home’s perceived value. Preparing your home properly means more than just tidying up—it’s about creating a space that speaks to buyers and invites them in through every frame.
By cleaning, decluttering, staging, and working with a photographer who understands the nuances of Orange County real estate photography, you can present your home in the best light possible—literally and figuratively. The effort you put in before the camera clicks could be the difference between a quick sale and a long wait.
