- Monique Dykstra
Picture Perfect Checklist for Great Photos
Homeowners! Here's a handy checklist to make your home picture perfect on photo day.

5-7 DAYS BEFORE PHOTO DAY
☐ Thoroughly clean the whole house
☐ Vacuum carpets, mop floors, clean countertops, clean windows
☐ Replace all burned out lightbulbs
Front Yard
☐ Mow the grass, trim the shrubs, clear the leaves
☐ Remove empty planters
☐ Remove visible water hoses
☐ Remove toys, sports balls, basketball goals, soccer nets, etc.
Back Yard
☐ Clean porch and tidy up outdoor tables, chairs and cushions
☐ Pillows and cushions should look new, not faded
☐ Remove kid's toys, balls, frisbees, etc.
☐ Clean the pool
☐ Remove the pool vacuum and cleaner hose and hide pool cleaning supplies
☐ Remove any visible water hoses
☐ Hide garbage cans
Dining Room
☐ Take everything off the dining room table, then dust and polish it
☐ Set the table with decorative place settings, if possible
☐ Put a nice centerpiece, such as a bouquet of flowers
☐ Straighten all chairs and space them evenly
☐ Remove children’s booster seats
Living Room
☐ Clean interior of fireplace and re-paint if needed
☐ De-clutter fireplace mantel
Master Bedroom
☐ Remove family photos from walls
☐ Clean under bed, removing items that may show in the photos
☐ Press the bed skirt, if necessary
Kids Bedrooms
☐ Remove personalized names from walls
☐ Remove posters
☐ Remove diaper genies
☐ Clean under bed, removing items that may show in the photos
1-2 DAYS BEFORE THE PHOTOGRAPHER ARRIVES ☐ Remove rugs to reveal actual flooring
☐ Place all shoes and jackets in closets
☐ Remove all personal photos
☐ Clear off the kitchen countertops completely. No knife blocks, dishes, mail, etc.
☐ Leave out a maximum of one small appliance (ex. fancy coffee maker)
☐ Take everything off the fridge - magnets, papers, photos, etc.
☐ Hide garbage cans in pantry or closet
☐ Remove the dishes from sink
☐ Remove everything from bathroom countertops
☐ Clean all surfaces, mirrors and floor until everything sparkles.
☐ Remove soap, toothbrushes, medications, deodorant, etc.
☐ Put toilet seats down
☐ Close closet doors
☐ Remove shampoo, soap, loofahs, etc. from showers and tubs
☐ Remove dirty towels. Put out new, unused towels
☐ Remove floor mats
☐ Remove stacks of books, magazines, papers, etc. from living room
☐ Fluff and arrange furniture pillows
☐ Remove kid's toys
☐ Make the bed in the master bedroom, add decorative pillows and shams if available
☐ Take all personal items off the night tables
☐ Remove all phone and tablet charging cables
☐ Remove all clutter from top of dressers
☐ Straighten up and de-clutter the kid's bedrooms
☐ Make the beds, remove the toys, and take all personal items off the night tables
THE DAY THE PHOTOGRAPHER ARRIVES
☐ Remove the cars from driveway, and also the front of home
☐ Close garage doors
☐ Turn on fountains and water features
☐ Place pet food and water bowls in pantry or closet
☐ Place pet beds and toys in a closet
☐ Use lint roller on furniture to remove pet hair
☐ Put pets in a crate or outside
☐ Turn all overhead lights and lamps ON
☐ Turn all ceiling fans OFF
☐ Turn all TVs OFF
☐ Turn all computer screens OFF
☐ Open curtains and blinds to let the light in