Quick Answer
How should Chicago home sellers prepare for listing photography?
Turn on all lights, open all blinds, clear counters to 80% empty, move all cars, turn off ceiling fans, put toilet seats down, remove personal photos, and add one plant per main room.
Most home sellers in Chicago focus on cleaning and staging — then leave everything else to the photographer. That is a mistake. What happens in the 24 hours before the shoot determines whether you get good photos or great ones.
Turn on every light — including ones you never use
Lamps in corners, under-cabinet lights, bathroom vanity lights, the light above the stove. Every light source warms the room and reduces harsh shadows. Replace burned-out bulbs the day before. Use warm white (2700K–3000K) throughout.
Open all blinds and curtains fully — every window
Natural light is free professional lighting. Blocked windows make rooms look smaller and darker. Open everything. If a curtain is too sheer to open all the way, remove it for the shoot.
Clear counters to 80% empty
Kitchen counters, bathroom vanities, and all surfaces should be dramatically cleared — not just tidied. The rule: if you are not sure it should be there, remove it. Buyers see clutter as a lack of storage space.
Move all cars off the driveway and the street in front
Cars in exterior shots are the most common and easily avoidable listing photo mistake in Chicago. Move them before the photographer arrives. Ask neighbors if their car might be in frame.
Turn off ceiling fans
Fan blades in motion create motion blur in photos. Turn off every ceiling fan 10 minutes before the photographer arrives — they often need a moment to stop fully.
Put toilet seats down and remove bathmats
Bathroom photos sell homes. Toilet seats up and bathmats on the floor make bathrooms look used and smaller. Swap in fresh, neatly hung white towels and a small plant.
Remove personal photos
Family portraits, school photos, artwork on the fridge — buyers need to visualize their life in the space. Take them down the morning of the shoot.
Add one plant to every main room
A live plant adds life and scale to rooms in photos. A fiddle-leaf fig in the living room corner, a succulent on the kitchen counter. This is the highest-ROI staging prop for listing photos.
Be present for the pre-shoot walkthrough
A professional photographer will do a quick walkthrough before shooting. Your presence means you can answer questions, unlock areas, and make last-minute adjustments. Stay until they have seen every room.
Book early in the week, not Friday
Early week shoots leave buffer time for reshoots if something was not right. Friday afternoon shoots with same-day delivery pressure lead to rushed editing. K94 Production offers 24-hour delivery on all packages.
Chicago-Specific Tips
Winter and spring transitions
If listing in March–April, remove all winter items from view: shovels, salt bins, boot trays. Add seasonal items even if it is still cool outside. Photos should look like spring.
City parking in Chicago neighborhoods
In Lincoln Park, Logan Square, or Bucktown — street parking is unavoidable. Ask your photographer to shoot at a time when your block has fewer parked cars if possible.
HOA common areas
If your building has amenity spaces — lobby, gym, rooftop — ask your photographer to include them. These shots help justify condo prices and are often excluded by default.