bosimagesre.com · Tampa Bay, FL
Photo
Prep
Guide
Prep
Guide
A quick walkthrough to get your home camera-ready. Great photography starts before we arrive — this is everything you need to know.
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Bos Images RE
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Exterior
First impressions start at the curb — and online, the exterior is the cover of your listing
- Mow, edge, and blow. Freshly cut grass photographs dramatically better than slightly overgrown.
- Remove cars from the driveway. Park down the street — vehicles in the driveway break up the composition.
- Clear the driveway and walkways. Trash cans, garden hoses, sports equipment, strollers — all of it goes.
- Clean up the yard. Pick up dog toys, lawn tools, and anything that doesn't belong in a listing photo.
- Sweep the front porch and entry. Dust, leaves, and cobwebs show up clearly in high-res photography.
- Freshen the front door area. A clean welcome mat, a small potted plant, or a wreath goes a long way.
- Clean windows (exterior). Especially important for street-facing windows — streaks and grime catch the light.
- Hide garbage and recycling bins. In the garage or around the side — out of camera range entirely.
- Pool and patio. Remove pool toys, nets, and hoses. Clean the deck and straighten patio furniture.
- Turn on all exterior lights. Porch lights, path lights, sconces — even for daytime shoots, they add warmth.
On weather We'll shoot in most conditions. If we're doing twilight photos, we'll coordinate the timing together. A cloudy sky often produces cleaner exterior shots than harsh direct sun.
Interior — General
Applies to every room before we walk in
- Declutter every surface. Countertops, side tables, mantels — keep only what's intentional. Less is always more.
- Turn on all interior lights. Every lamp, overhead fixture, and under-cabinet light. We'll adjust as needed, but start with everything on.
- Open all blinds and curtains. Natural light is your best asset. Maximize it in every room.
- Hide personal photos and private items. Remove family photos, personal mail, prescription bottles, and anything sensitive from view.
- Tuck away cords and cables. Power strips, phone chargers, visible wires — secure or hide them.
- Remove pet items. Beds, crates, food bowls, and litter boxes should be out of frame for the shoot.
- Fresh flowers or greenery (optional but effective). A simple arrangement on the kitchen island or dining table makes a real difference.
- Replace any burned-out bulbs. Mismatched or missing lights are visible — and fixable in 60 seconds before we arrive.
2700–3000K bulbs photograph best indoors
Avoid daylight (5000–6500K) — creates a harsh blue cast
Mixing warm and cool bulbs in the same room causes color problems
Dimmer switches: set to full brightness
Kitchen
Buyers spend more time looking at kitchens than any other room
- Clear the countertops. Leave out only 2–3 intentional items max: a coffee maker, a fruit bowl, or a small appliance that adds character. Everything else gets stored.
- Clean the sink. Empty it completely. No dishes, no drying rack, no soap residue on the basin.
- Remove items from the refrigerator exterior. Magnets, notes, kids' drawings, and takeout menus all need to go.
- Hide paper towels and dish soap. Store them under the sink for the shoot — these items read as clutter in photos.
- Wipe down appliance surfaces. Smudges and fingerprints on stainless steel are very visible in high-resolution images.
- Empty and hide the trash can. Move it to a cabinet or closet entirely.
Living & Dining Areas
Staged, not sterile — the goal is inviting, not empty
- Fluff and arrange all pillows and throws. Symmetry and intention — no half-folded blankets or collapsed cushions.
- Clear the coffee table. Leave one or two intentional items: a book, a small tray, a candle. Remotes and magazines go away.
- Straighten rugs and furniture alignment. Angled furniture and crooked rugs are magnified by wide-angle lenses.
- Set the dining table or leave it clear. Either works — a partially set table can look great. A halfway-cleared table doesn't.
- Clean the TV screen. Fingerprints on a dark TV screen show up clearly. Wipe it down, or we'll frame it out if needed.
- Remove exercise equipment if possible. A treadmill in the corner of a living room competes with the room's purpose in listing photos.
Bedrooms
Beds made, surfaces clean — that's 90% of it
- Make all beds, neatly. Smooth the comforter, arrange pillows intentionally. The bed is the centerpiece — treat it that way.
- Clear nightstands. Alarm clocks, books, glasses, and medication get stored for the shoot. One lamp and one decorative item is plenty.
- Clear floors of clothing and clutter. Anything on the floor that isn't a rug or a piece of furniture needs to go.
- Close closet doors unless the closet is a feature. Open a walk-in closet only if it's organized and worth showing.
- Kids' rooms: contain the toys. A few select items can stay; the rest should be organized or stored out of sight.
- Remove visible laundry baskets. Move them to a closet or another room for the duration of the shoot.
Bathrooms
Small spaces where clean and minimal makes the biggest impact
- Clear the vanity completely. Toothbrushes, soap dispensers, razors, hair tools — all of it goes under the sink or in a cabinet.
- Put out fresh, neatly folded towels. Matching sets, folded or rolled intentionally. Don't leave used towels in the room.
- Close the toilet lid. Always. Every time. No exceptions.
- Clean the mirror. Streaks and toothpaste splatter are very visible against the light. Wipe it with glass cleaner right before we arrive.
- Remove bath products from the shower/tub edge. Shampoo bottles, loofahs, and razors come out — a clean ledge or a single candle is the look we're after.
- Remove the bath mat if it's worn or dated. A clean floor photographs better than a tired-looking rug.
- Hide the trash can. Tuck it under the sink or move it out of the room entirely.
Day of the Shoot
What to expect and how to make the morning smooth
Before We Arrive
Do a final walk-through with this checklist. Turn on every light in the home. Open all window treatments. Make sure pets are secured or off-site.
Florida Weather Heads-Up
On hot, humid days, a big temperature gap between inside and outside causes condensation to form on the windows — which obscures the view and shows up clearly in photos. Set your AC to around 74–76°F on shoot day rather than cranking it down. The house will still be comfortable, and the windows will stay clear.
When We Arrive
Let us do a quick walk-through first. We'll flag anything that needs a small adjustment before we start shooting — that's normal and part of the process.
During the Shoot
Give us room to work. You're welcome to stay, but the best results come when we're not being watched shot-by-shot. Grab a coffee — we've got it from here.
After the Shoot
Expect your edited gallery within 24–48 hours. You'll receive a link by email. Same-day delivery is available when scheduled in advance.
You're more prepared than most. Sellers who go through a prep checklist before the shoot end up with noticeably stronger photos. You've already done the hard part — we'll handle the rest.
What We'll Handle
Leave these to us — no prep needed on your end
- Minor sky replacement. Flat or overcast skies can be enhanced in post — no need to reschedule for weather.
- Window view enhancement. Blown-out or dark windows will be balanced in post so the view reads naturally.
- Color and exposure correction. Every image goes through a professional editing pass before delivery. You'll receive polished, ready-to-publish photos.
- Exposure blending. We shoot and blend multiple exposures on-site to capture accurate detail in both bright and shadowed areas — you don't need to manage the lighting.