Preparing Your Property for Photography and Video: A Simple Checklist

Good preparation helps property photographs and video tours show a home clearly. It also means the visit can focus on capturing the space rather than moving everyday items between rooms.

Cherrywood Productions provides property photography, video, drone footage and floor plans across Kent and the South East. Whether you are an estate agent, landlord or homeowner, use this checklist before your appointment.

Start with the spaces buyers will see first

Tidy the entrance, hallway and main living areas. Clear shoes, bags, bins and loose cables from view. Give windows and mirrors a clean, and remove marks from surfaces that catch the light.

The aim is to help viewers understand the rooms and their proportions. Keep a few considered details, such as cushions or a simple arrangement on a table, rather than filling every surface.

Prepare kitchens and bathrooms

Clear worktops of washing-up, packaging and small everyday items. Put cleaning products and laundry out of sight. In bathrooms, tidy toiletries, straighten towels and close toilet lids.

Check reflections before the shoot. Mirrors, glass doors and shiny appliances can show clutter that is not obvious from the doorway.

Make each bedroom feel ready

Make beds neatly, straighten curtains and clear bedside tables. Move items from under beds if they will be visible from a low camera angle. If a room is used for several purposes, agree with your agent how it should be presented.

Do not rely on editing to remove everything afterwards. Preparing the room usually gives photography and video a more natural, consistent result.

Check lighting and access

Replace failed bulbs and make sure lamps work. Open blinds and curtains so the photographer can assess the available daylight. Let the team decide which lights to use for a balanced look.

Ensure all rooms, outbuildings and outside areas included in the visit are accessible. Share parking arrangements and any access restrictions in advance. If floor plans are being prepared, clear routes through the rooms.

Prepare the outside too

Tidy paths, garden furniture and outdoor bins. Where practical, arrange for vehicles to be moved away from the front of the property. A quick sweep and a clear entrance can make the approach easier to photograph.

If drone coverage is planned, discuss the location beforehand. Aerial filming depends on conditions, permissions and flight restrictions; it cannot be guaranteed simply because it is included in the initial brief.

On the day

• Keep pets safely away from the areas being filmed.

• Tell the team about features you want to highlight.

• Remove personal documents and valuables from view.

• Allow time for photography, video and any agreed measurements.

• Keep the property ready until all planned shots are complete.

For estate agents arranging several services, confirm the required photographs, film formats, floor plan and delivery date before the visit. A shared brief helps everyone work towards the same listing.

Explore Cherrywood Productions’ property marketing services or get in touch to discuss a property in Kent or the South East.