If you are planning to shoot a home or other property, here are some things you can do to improve the final photos:
- Think clean, simple spaces that are visually pleasing. Removing clutter is the best way to achieve this. Taking down family photos and leaving just art on the walls also helps, but we understand that this isn’t always possible. We blur faces to protect identity and privacy.
- Prioritize tidying over cleaning – cleaning floors, windows, and walls is helpful, but tidying and stashing clutter into closets, storage, garages, sheds, etc. is generally more helpful than spending a lot of time cleaning if you have to choose one or the other. Of course, both is best!
- Please lift blinds where possible. Open them where they can’t be lifted. Lights on, fans off. Toilet seats down. We can work around virtually any situation, but this is how we prefer to shoot when possible.
- Please park cars, trailers, boats, and other vehicles somewhere out of the way: in the garage, down the street, behind some trees, or otherwise away from the building. This makes it easier for us to capture clean exterior and aerial photos.
- Please stash garbage bins in the garage, in a hidden spot on the side of the house, or the like. We can move them to get all areas, but it’s easiest if they are hidden when we arrive. Visible garbage bins inside should ideally be stashed out of sight as well.
- Please pen, board, or take animals on a walk if possible. We loves pets, but they do sometimes make photography tricky :-). If it’s not possible, we entirely understand and will work with your furry friends.
- Anything valuable, precious, or fragile? We recommend packing them away now or ensuring that they are securely fastened or settled. We will be moving through your home, sometimes with quick movements to capture smooth video. It’s possible we will bump furniture or shelving. Please plan accordingly and safeguard your most precious items. Now is a good time to do this, given that many people will likely be going through the home in coming months.
- We work fastest and best in empty homes, but we’re more than happy to work around you if you are home. We’ll just have you choose a home base and photograph that room last.
- Warn your neighbors that there will be drone flight. We know that drones can sometimes put people on edge, and we look nosy when flying in neighborhoods. We do our utmost to be respectful and quick with our drone flights, but they make noise and can make people uncomfortable, and we want to be mindful of that whenever possible.
Here are some example images to get you in the right mindset:
