Real Estate Photography
What to Expect
on Shoot Day
How to prepare your listing, what the photographer does on site, how long it takes, and when your photos are delivered - everything agents and sellers need to know before a Villa Views shoot.
Before the shoot
How to prepare your listing
for the best possible photos.
The preparation that happens before the photographer arrives has a direct impact on the quality of the final images. A well-prepared home photographs dramatically better. Here is what makes the biggest difference.
Clear every surface
Countertops, tables, nightstands, and shelves. Remove personal photos, small appliances, mail, chargers, and anything that does not belong in a staged space. Less is always more.
Turn on every light in the home
Replace any burnt-out bulbs before the photographer arrives. Turn on all overhead lights, lamps, under-cabinet lighting, and accent fixtures. Every light source matters.
Open all blinds and curtains
Natural light is your best asset. Open every window covering throughout the home so rooms appear bright and open.
Clear the driveway
Move all vehicles away from the driveway and front of the home. Park down the street if possible. This applies to both the seller's vehicles and any others regularly parked in front.
Secure pets away from the shoot area
Keep pets in a crate, backyard, or off the property during the shoot. Pets in shots require reshoots and slow the session significantly. Hide all pet items including food bowls, toys, and beds.
Final walk-through the morning of
Walk every room with fresh eyes. Check for items left on floors, trash cans in view, toilet lids up, or anything out of place. The photographer will photograph every key space.
Full preparation checklist
Room-by-room PDF with everything sellers need to do before the shoot.
What we do not do
What the photographer
will not handle on site.
Villa Views is a real estate media company, not a staging company. There are a few things the photographer will not do on site, which is why seller preparation matters so much.
- Move or rearrange furniture
- Touch personal items in bathrooms (towels, soap, toothbrushes)
- Remove vehicles from the street in post-processing
- General cleaning, staging, or landscaping
- Repair or remove damaged walls or surfaces in post-processing
During the shoot
What happens
while we are on site.
Most shoots wrap in about an hour. A full package that includes photography, drone, and floor plans typically finishes in around 1 hour 15 minutes. Larger properties may run a bit longer.
The photographer works through the home methodically - typically starting with the exterior, moving through main living areas, kitchen, bedrooms, bathrooms, and any unique features. For drone sessions, the aerial portion is done from outside while the interior is complete.
The seller does not need to be present during the shoot, but someone should be available to provide access. Many sellers prefer to step out while the photographer works so there is no pressure to move quickly.
After the shoot
Delivery, download,
and going live.
Photos are delivered within 24 hours. You will receive an email with your download link through the Villa Views portal. Photos are full-resolution, edited, and MLS-ready in JPEG format - sized correctly for MLS upload without additional compression.
You can preview your photos in the portal before downloading. If same-day delivery was added to your order, photos will be available the same evening as your shoot.
If anything needs attention after delivery, reach out directly. Villa Views stands behind the work on every shoot.
Common questions
What agents and sellers ask
about the shoot day.
Most shoots wrap in about an hour on site. A full package including photos, drone, and floor plans typically finishes in around 1 hour 15 minutes. Larger properties may run a bit longer.
Someone should be available to provide access, but the seller does not need to be present during the shoot. Many sellers prefer to step out while the photographer works. If the seller is home, it is helpful to let the photographer move through the home independently.
Photos are delivered within 24 hours through the Villa Views portal. You will receive an email with your download link. Same-day delivery is available for an additional $97 if you need photos immediately.
Reschedules happen - weather, construction delays, last-minute seller issues. Contact Villa Views as early as possible and the appointment will be moved. The online booking system makes rescheduling straightforward.
Interior photography can proceed in any weather. If drone photography is part of the order and conditions are not safe for flight, the drone portion will be rescheduled separately. Villa Views monitors conditions and will communicate any changes ahead of the appointment.