Simple tips from a Duluth, MN real estate photographer to help your home look its best in listing photos.
Getting ready to sell your home? First of all, how exciting! Whether you're moving into your dream home, relocating, or starting a new chapter, there's a lot that goes into getting a house ready to hit the market.
One of the most important steps is making sure your home is ready for professional real estate photography!
I'm Tatiana, the photographer behind Tatiana Marie Photography in Duluth, Minnesota. I've photographed over 1,000 homes throughout the Northland, and if there's one thing I've learned, it's that a little preparation can make a BIG difference in how a home photographs.
The good news? Sometimes, the smallest changes can make the biggest impact!
While these are some of my favorite tips for getting a home photo-ready, I also see tremendous value in professional home staging. I've photographed many beautifully staged properties over the years, and a talented stager can make such a difference in how a space looks and feels. If you're considering professional staging and aren't sure where to start, I'd be more than happy to share recommendations for local home stagers!
Whether you're working with a professional stager or preparing your home yourself, here are some of my favorite tips to help your property look its absolute best in photos.
First Things First: Less Is More!
If I could give homeowners just one piece of advice before their photography session, it would be this: declutter, declutter, declutter!
I know, probably not the most exciting advice you've ever received, but hear me out!
When potential buyers scroll through real estate listings, you want them to notice the beautiful kitchen, spacious living room, and natural light pouring through the windows. You don't want their attention going straight to the stack of mail on the counter or the collection of shampoo bottles in the shower.
A good rule of thumb is that if something isn't furniture or decor, it probably doesn't need to be in the photo.
I also recommend temporarily putting away personal family portraits, religious items, and political memorabilia before your photography session. While these items may be meaningful to you, removing them helps create a welcoming, neutral space where potential buyers can envision themselves living in the home.
Of course, every home is different, and you don't need to pack up your entire life before your photography appointment. The goal is simply to create clean, inviting spaces that allow buyers to focus on the home itself.
Let's Talk About the Kitchen
Kitchens are one of my favorite spaces to photograph! As a foodie, I love showcasing everything they have to offer, from the cooking space and appliances to the unique features that make each kitchen special!
Kitchens are also one of the spaces buyers pay close attention to, so this is an area where a little extra preparation goes a long way.
Before your session, I recommend:
Clearing countertops of unnecessary items like paper towels, mail, dish racks, and small appliances.
Removing magnets, photographs, and notes from the refrigerator.
Tucking away dish soap, sponges, and cleaning supplies.
Hiding garbage cans and pet food bowls.
Keeping decor simple and intentional.
You don't necessarily need completely empty countertops. A nice plant, decorative bowl, or a few thoughtfully placed accessories can look beautiful!
And of course, we can't forget the classic bowl of lemons! If you've spent any time around real estate photography or home staging, you know exactly what I'm talking about. It's practically a staging staple at this point, but there's a reason for it! That little pop of color really does look beautiful in a kitchen.
At the end of the day, I want buyers to notice the beautiful cabinetry, the spacious countertops, the appliances, and all the little details that make your kitchen unique, not everything that happens to live on the countertops!
Living Rooms and Bedrooms: Keep It Simple
Living rooms and bedrooms should feel comfortable, welcoming, and spacious.
In living areas, try to tuck away remote controls, visible charging cords, toys, tissue boxes, and other everyday items. Straighten pillows, fold blankets neatly, and remove anything that makes the room feel crowded.
For bedrooms, make the beds, straighten the bedding, and clear off nightstands. A lamp and a small decorative item are perfectly fine, but piles of books, charging cables, and everyday clutter can be distracting in photos.
And here's a little insider tip: closets are usually a great temporary hiding spot!
Unless you have a large walk-in closet that's a selling feature, I typically won't be photographing the inside of your closets. So if you need somewhere to tuck away a laundry basket or a few extra items, that's often a great option.
Bathrooms: The Little Details Matter
Bathrooms are one of the easiest spaces to prepare, but they're also one of the places where I see the most things that could have been tucked away.
Before your photography appointment, I recommend clearing off bathroom countertops, putting away personal toiletries, and removing bath mats.
If you have a beautiful tiled shower or glass shower enclosure, you'll definitely want to show it off! Removing shampoo bottles, razors, loofahs, and other personal items helps keep the focus on those features.
A few other things to remember:
Close all toilet lids.
Hide garbage cans and toilet brushes.
Put away extra toiletries and tissue boxes.
Remove litter boxes and pet items.
Straighten any decorative towels.
These might seem like tiny details, but they really do make a difference in the finished photos.
Don't Forget About the Exterior!
The outside of your home is just as important as the inside. In fact, an exterior photo is often one of the first images buyers see when browsing listings.
Before your photography session, take a few minutes to walk around the outside of your home.
Move vehicles out of the driveway and away from the front of the house. Tuck garbage and recycling bins into the garage or somewhere out of sight. Roll up garden hoses, put away lawn equipment, and straighten patio furniture.
If the season allows, mowing the lawn, tidying landscaping, and sweeping walkways can also make a big difference.
Here in Duluth and the surrounding Northland, we experience just about every type of weather imaginable. From snowy winter listings to beautiful summer lake properties, every season brings its own considerations.
No matter the season, taking a little extra time to tidy up the exterior can make a big difference in how your property looks in photos!
And if you've booked drone photography, removing vehicles and other large movable items can be especially helpful since aerial photos capture a much wider view of the property.
Lighting: Let Your Home Shine!
One of the things I love most about real estate photography is showcasing a home's natural light.
Before your appointment, open blinds and curtains to let in as much natural light as possible. I also recommend walking through your home and checking that all light bulbs are working properly. If you notice any burned-out bulbs, be sure to replace them before your photography session. It's a small detail, but it can make a noticeable difference in how a room photographs!
Please turn on all ceiling lights, but leave lamps and ceiling fans off.
Don't worry if your home doesn't have huge windows or an abundance of natural light. Professional photography equipment and editing help me photograph a wide variety of spaces.
Your job is simply to have the home ready. I'll take care of the photography!
What About Pets?
I love animals, but pet supplies can create a little extra visual clutter in listing photos.
Before your appointment, try to tuck away pet beds, toys, food bowls, water dishes, and litter boxes.
It's also helpful to have a plan for keeping pets safely out of the rooms being photographed.
And don't worry, you don't need to remove every trace of your furry family members. Just a little tidying goes a long way!
One Important Thing to Know Before Your Session
I always want my photography appointments to go as smoothly as possible for everyone involved.
That's why I ask that all cleaning, decluttering, and moving of items be completed before I arrive.
As your photographer, my job is to capture your home professionally, rather than clean, stage, or move personal belongings during the appointment.
Having everything ready ahead of time allows me to focus on what you hired me to do: creating beautiful, professional images of your property.
If you're feeling overwhelmed by everything that needs to be done before listing your home, my advice is to start with the things that will make the biggest visual impact. Clear the countertops, put away clutter, make the beds, and tidy up the exterior.
You might be surprised by how much of a difference those simple steps make!
I've Made It Easy With a Home Photography Preparation Guide!
I know preparing a home for listing photos can feel like a lot, especially when you're already juggling everything else that comes with selling a house.
That's exactly why I created my own Preparing Your Home for Photos guide!
It's a simple, room-by-room checklist covering everything from the kitchen and bathrooms to bedrooms, living spaces, and the exterior.
When you book a real estate photography session with Tatiana Marie Photography, your booking confirmation email will include a link to this guide. That way, you'll have everything you need to prepare your home ahead of time, and you can check things off as you go!
The checklist isn't meant to add stress or make you feel like your home needs to be absolutely perfect. It's simply a helpful resource to make the process easier and help us get the best photos possible.
Ready for Your Home's Close-Up?
Selling a home comes with a lot of moving parts, but preparing for professional photography doesn't have to be complicated.
A little time spent tidying and preparing can make a noticeable difference in how your home is presented online.
At Tatiana Marie Photography, I specialize in professional real estate photography throughout Duluth, Superior, Two Harbors, and the surrounding Northland communities. I also offer drone photography, floor plans, and virtual staging to help showcase properties and their unique features.
Whether you're a Realtor preparing your next listing or a homeowner getting ready to sell, I'd love to help make your property look its best!
Want to learn more about my services? Check out my Real Estate Photography Pricing & FAQ for package details, pricing, and answers to frequently asked questions.
Ready to schedule your session? Fill out my real estate photography booking form here!
Tatiana Marie Photography | Duluth, Minnesota