Below are guidelines that you may find useful in staging the home in preparation for the photography shoot. These suggestions should be completed prior to the photography shoot as this will ensure beautiful results as well as an efficient use of everyone’s time. Sometimes having sharp focus throughout the image is important and other times it is appropriate to have the focus fall off. My approach is to create a mood that is consistent with what you wish to express. The feeling captured is what will be received by the viewer. Do you want to project a warm and cozy feeling or a light and airy look? So taking our time in getting this right is very important.

The Kitchen:

• Make sure all cabinet doors and countertops are clean and free of water spots or finger prints.( everything shows up, believe me)
• Please push all cabinet doors and drawers completely in.
• Please make sure that the floor is clean.
• In preparation for the shot, start by removing all the everyday items and add back in props such as fresh flowers and herb bunches, a tea kettle on the stove, fresh fruits or veggies, and a cutting board with fresh bread, but not overdone. If the home owner has nice pottery you can incorporate that into the scene. We want the scene to look inviting and have it look like it is staged in a way that looks like it is being used in preparation for a meal but that the occupant has just stepped away.
• Please make sure the homeowner is aware that we may change, rearrange or remove accessories to suit the shot.

The Bathroom:

This is a very tricky room to photograph especially if it is small. If the toilet is unavoidable within the shot, add a stack of towels or rolled up face cloths on top of lid.

• Props can include a bathrobe, towels, a natural sponge, and candles.
• The setting can also include the bath tub filled and staged with bath accessories around the deck. A bottle of wine with a glass or two is a nice touch as well, or mineral water with a lemon slice.

The Bedroom:

• Sometimes the bed looks large in the room to the lens and so showing only part of the bed may be the better choice. The linens should be wrinkle free and look comfortable and inviting, This is a place for sleeping and could look dreamy and soft.
• Props can include, blankets, throws, small vase of flowers, and small picture frames.
• Items to remove would be the clock, phone, answering machine etc. Minimize wires and electronics.

Dining Room:

• One option that works nicely is to give the illusion of setting the table for a dinner. A stack of plates, and a row of utensils works better then setting up the entire table for 8 in a formal setting.
• Less is more here and perhaps removing a chair or two to minimizes the amount of legs under the table.
• Props can include a simple vase of a few flower stems, linens, dishes and lit candles.

Living Room:

• This is generally the showpiece of the home and it is sometimes thought that only showing part of this space is the best photograph to express its feeling. Different view points are key to photographing this room. Props can include fluffed pillows, flowers, books and small accessories, but not overdone so as to distract.
• We strive to find a balance between not enough and too much. The camera and our eyes see things differently.

Final thoughts:

• Children and pets are particularly inquisitive. Please be aware that their will be very expensive lighting and camera equipment around and that it is requested that they stay at a distance from the space being photographed. Their are many cables and lighting equipment around and I don’t want anyone to trip over wires causing a light to come down.
• Please make the homeowner aware that we will be occupying their space for no less then 2 hours and usually no more then 4-6 hours, depending on the amount of rooms being photographed and the preparedness of the rooms.
• Don’t assume that because your client is expecting us that things will be ready. Please do a walk through the day of or day before the shoot. This will ensure an effective use of our time and help make things go smoothly!
• Safety is paramount on the set. Please be patient and try to communicate from a distance. We want to get through the shoot without tripping on the many cords and light stands.Thank you for your attention as this helps to ensure the photo shoot runs smoothly and on time.