Pre-shoot checklist
Prepare your Kansas City home for listing photos
Agents share this real estate photography checklist with sellers before shoot day. A tidy, bright home photographs faster and lists stronger across the KC metro. Tony has been shooting Kansas City homes since 2013. These are the same prep notes he gives clients before a standard listing shoot.
Why prep matters on shoot day
Listing photos are often the first showing. Clutter, dim rooms, and personal items slow the shoot and pull attention away from the architecture. Thirty minutes of seller prep usually pays for itself in cleaner frames and a smoother hour on site.
Inside: tidy every room buyers will see
- Clear counters in kitchen and baths. Leave one small styled item if you like; hide the rest.
- Make every bed with fresh linens. Fluff pillows and fold a throw at the foot if you have one.
- Open closet doors only if shelves look neat. Otherwise keep them closed.
- Tuck away laundry baskets, trash cans, cleaning supplies, and pet bowls.
- Straighten dining chairs and coffee-table books. Remove remotes and chargers from view.
- Wipe fingerprints from glass, stainless, and mirrors. Dust shelves and baseboards if you can.
Light, blinds, and fans
- Turn on every interior light: lamps, under-cabinet, closet, and bathroom fixtures.
- Replace burned-out bulbs so rooms read evenly bright.
- Open blinds and curtains fully unless a harsh midday view needs softer treatment. Tony will adjust on site.
- Ceiling fans off. Ceiling fans blur in longer exposures.
- If twilight is requested, leave exterior lights ready to turn on for dusk frames.
Outside: curb appeal and cars
- Move cars, boats, and trailers out of the driveway and away from the front elevation.
- Roll trash and recycling bins out of sight. Coil hoses and close garage doors.
- Mow, edge, and blow walkways if the lawn needs it. Sweep the porch.
- Hide toys, bikes, and seasonal clutter from the yard and patio.
- If snow is fresh, clear the front walk so the entry reads inviting.
Personal items and pets
- Store family photos, kids' artwork on the fridge, and name-brand mail.
- Clear bathrooms of toothbrushes, medications, and toiletries. Keep soap and a clean towel only.
- Put away religious or political displays if your agent prefers a neutral listing look.
- Hide valuables and firearms before anyone arrives for the shoot.
- Secure pets in a quiet room away from the main living areas, or arrange for them to be off-site.
What Tony brings
You do not need to supply photo gear. Standard shoots include up to 30 edited photos, a floor plan, and a 3D virtual tour with next-day delivery.
- Professional camera and lighting for interiors and exteriors
- Wide-angle lenses suited to MLS and marketing use
- Floor-plan measuring tools
- 3D virtual tour capture gear
- Drone for aerial add-ons when weather and airspace allow
Typical shoot length
About 1 hour on site for a standard shoot. Prep is the same for vacant and occupied homes. If vacant, Tony can shoot anytime without needing an exact appointment window the same way.
Next-day is standard. You receive up to 30 JPEG photos as a gallery by email, plus the floor plan and 3D tour. Rush delivery for same-evening photos is available as an add-on. Twilight is on request. Drone is an add-on.
Standard package from $250. See full pricing.
How to book
- 01
Text the listing address
Include preferred shoot window, approximate square footage, and whether the home is vacant or occupied (vacant homes can often be shot anytime). Texting is fastest.
- 02
Share this checklist with the seller
Forward the page or print the list so rooms are ready when Tony arrives.
- 03
Shoot day, then next-day delivery
Tony photographs the home across the Kansas City metro. Next day, your JPEG gallery (up to 30 photos) is emailed, ready for MLS and marketing.
Ready to book your listing shoot?
Text or send a short request. Tony answers personally and confirms a time the same day when he can.