What to Send Your Real Estate Photographer Before the Shoot
You booked the shoot, confirmed the time, and showed up. But the gate code did not work, the seller left without leaving a key, and you spent twenty minutes troubleshooting instead of shooting. That is an easy fix. Most problems that slow down a real estate shoot happen before I ever pull into the driveway.
The real estate photographer checklist that actually matters
I send every realtor a short form when they book, and honestly, the answers to three or four questions make the difference between a smooth shoot and a messy one. If you are working with a photographer who does not ask for these details, send them anyway. It shows you are professional and it protects your listing day.
- Exact address and gate codes, garage codes, or any access instructions that are not obvious
- The name and phone number of whoever will meet you at the property, or confirmation that it is keybox access only
- Any special instructions from the seller, like a dog in the backyard, a room that is staged as an office, or areas you want to skip
- Whether the property is occupied, vacant, or the seller will be there during the shoot
That last one sounds simple but it comes up constantly. If the seller plans to be there, I want to know so I can introduce myself and set expectations. If it is vacant, I need to know the keybox code works before I drive twenty minutes to find out it does not.
What not to bother sending
You do not need to write me a paragraph about the listing. I do not need the MLS number, the asking price, or a full description of the upgrades. That information is useful for the walkthrough video if you are booking the Pro package, but for photos I just need to know the property and get to work.
If there is something unusual about the house, that is worth mentioning. A odd-shaped lot, a neighbor's shed that intrudes into the frame, or a feature the seller is particularly proud of. But keep it short. A text message that says "the backyard pool is the seller's big selling point, highlight that" is more useful than a long email with listing copy.
Why this matters more than you think
The best shoots I do are the ones where I pull up, get inside quickly, and start shooting without any confusion. That comes from a short email with the right details the day before. It is not complicated, but it is the single easiest way to make sure your listing photos get done right and on time.
If you are looking for a real estate photographer checklist you can copy and paste, just send address, access codes, a contact person, and any must-shoot priorities. That covers most of what can go wrong. The rest is just walking through the house and taking good pictures.