Hiring a professional photographer is the first step. But how you prepare the property before the shoot determines whether you get good photos — or great ones.
After shooting hundreds of Chicago-area listings, K94 Production has seen what separates the listings that go viral on Instagram from the ones that sit on MLS. Here are the 10 most impactful things you can do before we arrive.
1. Declutter Every Room
This sounds obvious, but it's the #1 thing that separates average photos from great ones. Remove personal items, excess furniture, and anything that doesn't belong. The camera amplifies clutter — what looks fine in person becomes distracting in photos. Less is always more.
2. Turn On Every Light
Every ceiling light, lamp, and under-cabinet light should be on before we arrive. Even during daytime shoots, interior lights add warmth and fill shadows that would otherwise require more post-processing. Replace any burned-out bulbs — they show in photos as dark gaps.
3. Open All Window Treatments
Open every blind, shade, and curtain to maximize natural light. The exception: if a window faces direct harsh sunlight that would blow out the exposure, partially closing that specific blind is fine. We handle the HDR blending — your job is to maximize available light.
4. Clear Kitchen Counters Completely
The kitchen is the most photographed room in any listing. Clear everything off the counters — coffee makers, toasters, dish racks, mail, pet bowls. Keep only 1-2 decorative items maximum. A clean counter makes the kitchen look 30% larger in photos.
5. Make All Beds and Fluff All Pillows
Bedrooms are the second most viewed photos in any listing. Hotel-quality bed presentation — tight corners, symmetrical pillows, neat duvet — signals a well-maintained home. Take 10 minutes per bedroom before we arrive.
6. Remove All Cars from the Driveway
A clean driveway makes exterior photos look dramatically better. Move all cars to the street or around the block. If neighbors have cars parked in front of the house on the street, ask them to move if possible — we can handle some in post, but cleaner is always better.
7. Clean Windows Inside and Out
Dirty windows show up clearly in professional photos — especially with HDR exposures that reveal detail in both interior and exterior. Clean windows also let in 20-30% more natural light. It's a simple prep step that makes a noticeable difference.
8. Stage Key Areas Minimally
You don't need a full staging company. Focus on 3 areas: the living room (add fresh flowers or a throw blanket), the dining table (set it simply — placemats and a centerpiece), and the master bathroom (fresh white towels, clear counters). These high-impact, low-effort touches make photos look styled without looking fake.
9. Mow the Lawn and Sweep the Porch
Exterior curb appeal shots are often the hero images of a listing. Mow the lawn, trim hedges, sweep the front walk, add seasonal potted plants if available, and remove any yard equipment or hoses from view. In Chicago's competitive market, a well-maintained exterior signals a well-maintained home throughout.
10. Plan the Shoot Time for Light
This is our job — but it helps to know: morning light (8-10AM) works best for east-facing homes, afternoon (2-5PM) for west-facing. If the home has a spectacular backyard or deck, late afternoon golden hour (one hour before sunset) produces the most beautiful exterior shots. When you book with K94 Production, we coordinate timing based on your home's orientation.
“The best photo shoots happen when the agent and photographer are both prepared. These 10 steps take about 2-3 hours of prep but add thousands of dollars of perceived value to any listing.”
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