A Real Estate Photographer’s Perspective: 12 Tips for Staging Your House for Photos

Key takeaways:

• Staging your home for real estate photography can help increase the visual appeal for prospective buyers looking through listing photos.
• Cleaning and decluttering are at the heart of preparing your home for a listing photoshoot, but going beyond that can certainly take a home to the next level.
• Real estate photography isn’t limited to interior shots or standard photographs. Consult with your real estate agent about the different types of media options that can increase your home’s listing appeal.

Getting your home ready for a photoshoot is one of the most critical steps in preparing to list your property. In today’s competitive real estate market, whether you’re selling a home in Tacoma, WA or Buffalo, NY, stunning, high-quality images are essential, serving as the first showing for nearly all prospective buyers. 

Understanding how to stage a house for photos can dramatically improve your listing’s appeal, helping you attract more interest and potentially securing a faster, more profitable sale. In this Redfin article, we’ll showcase twelve actionable tips to ensure your home is picture-perfect and stands out online.

Why staging your home for real estate photography is important

Staging your home before a photoshoot is an essential step in the selling process. Professional real estate photos are a buyer’s first impression of your property, making high-quality, well-staged images critical for generating interest and a quick sale. By following a clear plan on how to stage a house for photos, you ensure your home is presented in its best light to prospective buyers.

How to stage a house for photos

When you’re preparing to stage your home for real estate photos, Sebastian Petrescu with Elevated Photos, a real estate photography company, says to “aim high”. He recommends, “Find inspiration by looking at photos of other home interiors that truly nailed their photoshoot.”

Now, here are twelve tips that can help you aim high when it comes to making your home look as appealing online as it is in person.

1. Declutter and perform a thorough cleaning

As a single, essential cleaning tip, the priority is to declutter and stage your home. Removing personal items, unnecessary furniture, and general clutter instantly makes a space look larger, cleaner, and more appealing. 

After decluttering, perform a deep clean, focusing on every surface. This includes sweeping, vacuuming, mopping, and dusting. Be sure to focus on every area of your home, including baseboards and air conditioning vents.

2. Replace burned-out light bulbs

Before the photographer arrives, ensure every light fixture and lamp is working and has a bulb of the same color temperature. Non-working or mismatched bulbs can result in inconsistent lighting and unnecessary shadows in the final images.

3. Make your beds free of wrinkles

Neatly made beds instantly elevate the look of a bedroom. Use fresh, crisp linens and arrange pillows purposefully. A clean, well-presented bed suggests a cared-for, luxurious space.

4. Tidy the front and back of your house

Sebastian shares how the cleanliness of your home’s exterior is absolutely as important as its interior. Curb appeal significantly impacts the initial viewing; therefore, Sebastian recommends “blasting dust or debris with a garden hose.”

Additionally, you’ll want to do some basic landscaping and stow away any loose items like toys or tools.

5. Paint walls a neutral color

Neutral wall colors, such as light grays or off-whites, provide a clean, modern backdrop that appeals to the widest range of buyers. This choice allows buyers to easily visualize their own decor in the space and helps to brighten rooms in photographs.

6. Invite natural lighting

In real estate photography, light is crucial. Open all curtains, blinds, and shutters to maximize natural light throughout the house. The goal is to make every room appear bright, airy, and welcoming.

7. Remove unnecessary furnishings

Fewer pieces of furniture create a better sense of space. Remove oversized or bulky items that can make a room feel cramped, allowing the photographer to capture the true size and flow of the room.

8. Pack away personal photographs and items

Remove personal items, including family photos, unique artifacts, and diplomas. This depersonalizes the home, helping prospective buyers view it as their potential future home rather than someone else’s.

9. Clean and shine appliances

In the kitchen, clean and shine all appliances, paying close attention to stainless steel surfaces. Remove magnets, notes, or any other clutter from the refrigerator doors. Spotless appliances suggest a well-maintained kitchen.

10. Dust vents and easy-to-miss crevices 

Don’t overlook small details like dusting air vents, ceiling fans, baseboards, and any other easy-to-miss crevices. These small details can be surprisingly noticeable in high-resolution photographs.

11. Wipe mirrors, windows, and other glass surfaces

Clear windows make a big difference for real estate photos. Don’t forget to clean the interior side of the windows with a window cleaner and dry paper towels. Additionally, clean and buff all mirrors and glass tabletops to remove smudges and ensure a pristine, reflective surface that enhances the light in the room.

12. Hire a professional real estate photographer

After completing your staging, hiring a professional photographer is the final step. Their expertise, specialized equipment, and knowledge of composition and lighting will ensure your home’s best features are captured, providing images that stand out in the housing market.

How much do professional real estate photographers charge?

While real estate photographer fees can vary significantly, Sebastian Petrescu recommends choosing a photographer based on their portfolio and overall service. While assessing a photographer’s services, double-check the entirety of the services they offer, as real estate agents may recommend various media forms to market your home.

Sebastian says, “A lot of times, realtors require more than just photos. They may also need videos, social media reels, floor plans, aerials, iGUIDE (virtual tours), twilight and day to night video transitions, the agent on camera doing the narrating, etc.”

For instance, a seller who only orders photographs and foregoes drone photography will likely pay less than someone who purchases both. Be sure to consult with your real estate agent on their recommendations and your photographer about their specific pricing.

Your home is now picture-ready for hitting the market

By following these twelve practical steps, you effectively stage your house for photos and maximize its visual appeal to potential buyers. A well-staged, professionally photographed home can help position it to succeed in a competitive market.

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