Things to Remember Before a Shoot: Real Estate Photography Tips

Sep 2

1. Confirm the Property Details

Always double-check the listing address, access codes, and scheduled time. Confirm with the agent or homeowner if they’ll be present. Ask if they have special requests such as:

Twilight photography
Lawn replacement
Drone aerial footage
Matterport 3D tour
Cinematic video walkthrough

Having clear expectations ensures a smoother shoot.

2. Pack Your Real Estate Photography Gear

Nothing slows down a shoot like forgetting key equipment. Keep a real estate photography checklist with essentials such as:

Camera body (and backup, if possible)
Wide-angle lens (for interiors)
24–70mm lens (for detail shots) or my personal favorite, the Sony 85 1.8 (creamy photos); it can be tricky to use in tight spaces though
Drone and controller
Tripod, gimbal, and lighting gear
Spare batteries, chargers, and memory cards
Cleaning cloths and lens wipes

Being fully equipped helps you stay efficient and professional.

3. Plan Around Lighting

Great real estate photography relies heavily on natural light. Check the weather and sun position in advance to capture exteriors in the best conditions. For interiors, bring flashes or continuous lighting to balance window exposures and reduce shadows.

Pro tip: For real estate video shoots, plan your walkthrough so rooms look naturally bright and inviting.

4. Prepare the Property for Photos

A clean, decluttered home always photographs better. Encourage clients to:

Clear countertops and tables
Hide personal items
Make beds neatly
Straighten chairs, pillows, and rugs
Open blinds and curtains evenly
Replace burnt-out lightbulbs

Go the extra mile, help out! Move stuff if needed, clean spaces, rearrange whatever you feel like it’s out of place. Ask the owner and/or the agent, of course, before doing anything, but a little gesture like this will be much appreciated.

5. Charge, Backup, and Organize

Charge all gear the night before and bring a power bank for backup. After each shoot, save files to multiple locations so you never risk losing your work. ORGANIZE YOUR FILES! It saves so much time!!! Here is my folder structure:

Folder with the name with the agent
- Folder with the address of the property
  - Inside photos
  - Outside photos
  - Drone photos
  - Video
  - Drone video
  - Detail photos
  - Assets (sound effects, soundtrack, titles, photos etc.)
  - Floor plans

I also save the Lightroom catalog in the same folder just in case I need to reopen later.

6. Focus on the Small Details

The finishing touches are what separate a good shoot from a great one. Remember to:

Wipe mirrors and reflective surfaces
Ensure toilet seats are down
Check that ceiling fans are off for photos, on for videos
Adjust blinds for symmetry
Capture wide, bright, and welcoming angles

7. Pro Tips

My camera settings are the same for every shoot, I stored them in one of the camera’s custom settings. Do a quick review to make sure they are what you are expecting
I have my focus distance set to 8-9m. On the Tamron 17-28 the focus ring is the one closest to the camera body, as opposed to most other lenses, it’s easy to touch it slightly and change the setting
When shooting video, shoot to edit and try not to over shoot. Try to imagine the final edit and get those shots onle, don’t just shoot a bunch of footage that you’re not going to end up using. I try to shoot at 30fps and 60fps, it gives you a bit of flexibility in post to slow it down.
If the agent is talking, check the audio levels, if you can sometimes save some footage in post, a poorly recorded audio is much harder to fix.
If the agent is present at the shoot, right before I leave, I’ve gotten into the habit of telling them every room that I shot, just in case I’ve missed something. It has happened a bunch of times where they’re like “Oh, the attic is behind such and such door” etc.

Final Thoughts

A successful shoot doesn’t start when you press the shutter — it begins with preparation. By remembering these steps, you’ll ensure smoother sessions, happier clients, and better results that help properties sell faster.

If you’re a real estate agent looking for professional photography and video services, let’s connect — I specialize in creating media that makes your listings stand out.

Vlad Stoicescu