Whether you're listing your Truckee home for sale, getting your Lake Tahoe cabin onto Airbnb, or working with a Realtor to prep a vacation property for the MLS, professional photography and a virtual tour are among the most powerful marketing tools at your disposal. In today's market, your first showing isn't at the front door — it's on a screen, often from hundreds of miles away. That first digital impression can mean the difference between a click and a scroll, a booking and a pass.
I've been a professional photographer since 1998, shooting in the Truckee and North Lake Tahoe region since 2002, and specializing in real estate photography since 2016. I shoot with a Canon R5 Mark II and Canon L-Series lenses — including a 15–35mm wide-angle and a 24mm tilt-shift lens that keeps walls perfectly straight. That wide-angle lens is magic for making rooms look spacious and inviting. It's also completely merciless when it comes to clutter. There is no hiding a stack of mail on the kitchen counter from a 15mm lens. Trust me on this one.
The good news: a little preparation goes a long way. Clients who take the time to prep their home before I arrive consistently get photos they're thrilled with — and photos that work harder for them online. This guide is for homeowners, sellers, Realtors, Airbnb and VRBO hosts, vacation rental managers, and anyone who wants their property to look its absolute best on camera.
Want a printable version of this checklist? Download the PDF prep guide — it's formatted for easy printing and great to hand to a homeowner, property manager, or house cleaner before shoot day.
⬇ Download the Printable Prep Checklist (PDF)
1. Check Every Single Light Bulb — Every. Single. One.
This is the single most important thing you can do before a shoot, and the one thing that causes the most headaches when it's overlooked. When I photograph a home, I turn on every light switch and every fixture — inside and out. I carefully balance interior ambient light with my flash and the natural light coming through windows to give rooms that warm, glowing look that reads beautifully online. When one bulb is out, it shows. Viewers notice. And a burnt-out bulb in an otherwise beautiful room plants a small seed of doubt: What else hasn't been maintained here?
Walk every room before I arrive. Check lamps, overhead fixtures, under-cabinet lights, bathroom vanities, closet lights, exterior porch lights, garage lights, and any pathway or landscape lighting. For twilight and dusk shots specifically — which are among the most compelling photos in a real estate package — exterior lighting is everything. A dark fixture above the garage door on an otherwise glowing home is like a missing puzzle piece.
Pro tip: For the best look, make sure all bulbs in a room are the same color temperature. A mix of warm (soft white/2700K) and cool (daylight/5000K) bulbs in the same space creates an uneven, mismatched cast that's difficult to correct in post-processing. Pick one and stick with it throughout the home.
2. Clean All Glass and Mirrors Until They Sparkle
Dirty windows, smeared mirrors, and water-spotted shower glass are among the hardest problems to fix in post-processing — and in many cases, they can't be fixed at all. A hazy, grimy window doesn't just look bad on its own; it also blocks the view beyond it, which in the Truckee and Tahoe region means potentially hiding the thing your property is selling — the mountains, the trees, the snow-dusted peaks, or the lake.
Clean all windows inside and out if possible. Wipe down all mirrors — bathroom vanities, bedroom dressers, decorative mirrors. If you have glass shower doors, get them spotless; water spots and soap scum are very visible in high-resolution photos and 360° virtual tour scans. (If the tile behind those doors isn't looking its best, closing a clean shower curtain is a perfectly acceptable alternative.)
Also make sure all blinds and window shades are in good working order. I open them before shooting to let in natural light. If there's a broken blind that's going to try to attack me when I open it, please give me a heads up.
3. Declutter Every Surface — Then Declutter Again
Here's the thing about wide-angle real estate photography: it shows everything. Every counter. Every corner. Every lonely tube of toothpaste left on the bathroom sink. A 15mm lens doesn't graciously crop out the pile of bills on the kitchen counter or the collection of baseball caps hanging on the coat rack. It immortalizes them in high resolution and publishes them to the internet.
Go through every room and clear every horizontal surface. That means kitchen counters, bathroom counters, nightstands, coffee tables, desks, dressers, dining tables, and entryway tables. Common items I find that should be hidden away: mail and paperwork, keys, phone chargers and charging cables, remote controls, kitchen appliances that don't photograph well (dish rack, sponge), toiletries, medications, and "junk bowls." Also — and this one surprises people — remove any old, faded, or worn hand towels hanging from oven door handles. They're one of the most common things that drag down an otherwise clean kitchen shot. If it doesn't add to the look of the room, it goes in a drawer, a cabinet, or a closet.
For Airbnb and VRBO hosts: this applies even more critically. Your guests are imagining themselves in this space. Personal items, particularly anything that reads as "someone else's stuff," breaks that mental image. Remove everything that isn't part of the rental experience — leave only the things a guest would actually encounter and enjoy.
A few things that can actually stay and add to the look: a bowl of fresh fruit on the kitchen counter, a styled coffee table book or two, neatly folded throws on a couch, and fresh flowers or a small tasteful plant. Think "show home," not "someone's house."
4. Give the Kitchen Extra Attention
Kitchens are among the most photographed and most scrutinized rooms in any listing or rental. Buyers and guests spend a lot of mental time in them. Here's a quick kitchen checklist:
- Clear everything off the counters — everything.
- Remove all items from the front of the refrigerator: magnets, calendars, kids' drawings, takeout menus, all of it.
- Clear and clean the sink completely. Hide the sponge, dish rack, and dish soap.
- Clean the stovetop and remove tea kettles, pots, and small appliances unless they're truly built-in.
- Remove old, faded, or worn hand towels from oven door handles.
- Close all cabinet and appliance doors.
- Make sure the dishwasher is closed and the trash can is out of sight.
A clean, clear kitchen looks bigger, brighter, and more valuable. It's worth the extra ten minutes.
5. Make Bathrooms Spotless — No Exceptions
Because they're typically small rooms, cameras pick up every detail in a bathroom. Every water spot on a faucet, every ring around the toilet, every smear on the mirror. Bathrooms need to be cleaned to a higher standard than any other room in the house for photography purposes.
- Remove all personal items from countertops: toothbrushes, toothpaste, razors, hair dryers, makeup, q-tips, skincare products — all of it.
- Clean mirrors until there's not a single smudge.
- Polish all faucets, fixtures, and handles until they shine.
- Clean shower doors or close the shower curtain.
- Put the toilet seat AND lid down.
- Hang fresh, clean towels neatly — or remove them entirely. Folded hand towels in coordinating colors look great. Mismatched or worn towels do not.
- Empty visible trash cans or move them out of the room entirely.
For vacation rental hosts: a sparkling bathroom is one of the top trust signals for potential guests. Studies have shown that bathroom photos can increase booking inquiries significantly. Make them shine.
6. Make the Beds Like You Mean It
Made beds are non-negotiable. I'll occasionally straighten a decorative pillow or smooth a wrinkle at the edge of a duvet, but I don't make beds — that's not in my job description and I don't have the time during a shoot. A lumpy bedspread thrown over tangled sheets will look exactly like that in photos: lumpy. Take the five minutes to make the bed properly, with flat sheets tucked and the top layer pulled smooth.
Nightstands should be nearly clear — a lamp, an alarm clock, maybe a book. No reading glasses, used tissues, water bottles, phone chargers, or medication. All clothing should be out of sight: hung up, in a dresser, or in a laundry basket inside a closed closet. Kid's rooms especially need extra attention — a messy child's room is a hard room to photograph in a way that adds value to a listing.
For vacation rentals: fresh, hotel-style bedding goes a long way. Crisp white linens, well-fluffed pillows, and a neatly folded throw at the foot of the bed communicate cleanliness, comfort, and quality to anyone browsing your listing.
7. Hide the Tech Clutter
Charging cables, extension cords, power strips, laptop bags, earbuds, smart home hubs, routers — these things are part of modern life, but they're visual noise in real estate photography. Before I arrive:
- Unplug and hide all visible charging cables and cords.
- Tuck extension cords and power strips behind furniture or into a cabinet.
- Turn off and move laptops, tablets, and personal electronics.
- Turn off all TVs. A black TV screen is far better than a frozen screen or a screensaver — and please wipe the dust off the screen while you're at it.
- Turn off ceiling fans — fan blades in motion cause blur, and stopped fan blades photograph better than you'd think.
Fun option: I can superimpose a beautiful Lake Tahoe landscape photo onto your TV screen in post-processing, making it look like a scenic channel is playing. Some clients love this; others prefer a clean black screen. It's entirely your call — just let me know your preference when you book.
8. Love Your Pets — Just Not in the Photos
I love dogs. I love cats. I have nothing against fish, guinea pigs, or whichever interesting pet you may have chosen. But pet items in listing photos are a known buyer and guest turn-off, and your furry family member sneaking into a 360° tour scan is the kind of thing that goes viral for the wrong reasons.
- Remove all food and water bowls.
- Put away beds, crates, kennels, scratching posts, and litter boxes.
- Hide leashes, toys, and pet supplies.
- Clean up after your dog in the yard. (I shouldn't have to say this, but here we are.)
- If possible, take dogs for a walk during the shoot or have someone keep them occupied elsewhere. Cats are sneaky and tend to wander into frames — ideally they'd be secured in one room while I'm shooting the others.
- Make sure fish tanks are clean — a murky tank stands out in wide shots.
9. Style It — Don't Just Clean It
There's a difference between a clean home and a photogenic home. A clean home has nothing offensive in it. A photogenic home makes people feel something — warmth, calm, excitement. Think of it the way you'd think of setting a stage. The goal isn't just the absence of mess; it's the presence of atmosphere.
Small staging touches that make a big difference:
- Plump and arrange throw pillows symmetrically on sofas and chairs.
- Fold a throw blanket neatly over the arm of a couch or at the foot of a bed.
- Add a small vase of fresh flowers or a potted plant to a kitchen counter or dining table.
- Set the dining table with placemats or simple place settings.
- Put a nice coffee table book or two on the coffee table.
- Add a few log rounds or fresh splits of wood by the fireplace.
- For vacation rentals: set out a few tasteful amenity touches — a bottle of wine, a stack of board games, a tray with mugs near the coffee maker. Sell the experience of staying there.
If your home is vacant or sparsely furnished, consider bringing in a few key pieces. Empty homes can feel cold and uninviting on camera. Even a couch, a coffee table, and a few pieces of art on the walls make a significant difference in how the space reads.
And on the flip side: broken, ugly, or excess furniture that you've been meaning to get rid of? Now is the time. Get it out of frame.
10. Remove Personal Items and Family Photos
This is especially important for sellers: buyers need to be able to picture themselves in your home, and a gallery wall of family portraits makes that harder to do. It also puts personal information on the internet in a publicly accessible way that many people would prefer to avoid.
I'd also suggest removing any artwork that might be considered offensive or controversial to some viewers. That includes nudity — tasteful as it may be to you, it can be off-putting to others and can even create issues on certain listing platforms. Think neutral. Think universally appealing.
One more thing: remove seasonal decorations if the season is past. A Christmas tree visible in July (or October, or March) signals to buyers and renters that this property has been on the market a while. It's a small detail with a surprisingly large psychological effect.
11. Curb Appeal: The Exterior Is Your Cover Photo
The exterior of your home is often the first and last image people see in an online listing or rental profile. It sets the tone for everything that follows. In the Truckee and Tahoe region, we deal with some specific curb appeal challenges worth addressing:
Pine needles. I can Photoshop a handful out of a shot, but I cannot Photoshop a driveway that looks like it's been marinating under a pine tree for two weeks. Rake and sweep driveways, walkways, patios, and visible lawn areas before the shoot. Yes, I know more will fall overnight. Do it anyway.
Snow. If snow is covering the driveway or walkways, the property looks difficult to access — even if it's just an inch. Shovel and salt before the shoot. If it's actively snowing or the weather is genuinely poor, don't hesitate to reschedule. I will likely be reaching out to you in that case anyway. I don't charge for rescheduled shoots due to weather, and getting the shot right matters more than keeping a date on the calendar.
Vehicles. Move all vehicles off the property — driveway and street if possible. This includes RVs, boats, trailers, project cars, and any vehicle that isn't definitely a selling point for the home. If you're not home to move it and it's blocking the front of the house, I'm still going to shoot — but it will limit my angles significantly — and it might make it into the shot.
Yard tools and toys. Shovels, rakes, wheelbarrows, hoses, snow blowers, skis left against the wall — all of it should be stored out of sight. Patio furniture is great. Big colorful plastic toys, trampolines, and athletic equipment are not.
Garbage cans. In the garage or around the side of the house, please. Not in front.
Security yard signs. Temporarily remove them for the shoot.
A few things that help the exterior: a freshly swept walkway, potted flowers or plants near the front door, neatly arranged patio or deck furniture, a lit fire pit for twilight shots, and exterior lights that all work.
12. Don't Forget the Outdoor Living Spaces
Decks, patios, hot tubs, fire pits, pools, and outdoor dining areas are enormous selling points for mountain homes and vacation rentals. Buyers and guests explore outdoor areas just as carefully as indoor ones in virtual tours — and in the Tahoe region, "outdoor living" is often the lifestyle being sold.
- Clean and arrange deck and patio furniture attractively — replace worn cushions if needed.
- Remove pool toys, pool cleaning equipment, and supplies.
- Ensure hot tubs are clean and covered (or uncovered if they photograph better open).
- Uncover fire pits — and if we're doing a twilight shoot, light them.
- Uncover grills — unless the grill is very old or very dirty, in which case leaving the cover on is the better look.
- Turn on any water features: fountains, waterfalls, streams.
- Turn off sprinkler systems on shoot day — wet pavement and puddles show up on camera and suggest poor timing or maintenance issues.
- Remove athletic equipment: trampolines, goals, sleds, bikes.
- Mow and edge the lawn if weather permits. Clear any visible leaves or debris.
13. Think About Light and Timing
Mountain light is spectacular — but it moves fast and it's directional. Before your shoot, it's worth thinking about what time of day the front of your home gets the best light, and mentioning that to me when you book. I can get a solid exterior shot in almost any light, but there's a difference between a good photo and a great one, and great often comes down to timing.
For homes with a particularly impressive view — lake, mountains, meadow — the direction that view faces matters enormously for the time of day I should shoot it. Let me know what direction your best views face and we can coordinate accordingly.
If you're interested in twilight / dusk photography — those magical "glowing" shots taken just after sunset with the lights all on inside and the sky turning pink and purple — that's included in the Cover Shot package and can make a home look genuinely stunning. Just make sure every exterior light is working beforehand. A dark bulb in a dusk photo is heartbreaking.
For fireplaces: a homeowner or Realtor must be present during the shoot if you'd like a real fire going. I can handle a gas fireplace with a simple wall switch, but I won't open panels, press ignition sequences, or light a wood fire without someone there to manage it. That said — I typically add a realistic fire via Photoshop editing after the shoot unless I'm specifically asked not to. It looks great and saves the hassle of building a fire on shoot day. But nothing beats the authentic glow and warmth of a real fire in the photo, so if you want to light one, I'm absolutely on board.
14. Do a Final Walk-Through Before I Arrive — As a Buyer or Guest Would
Before I pull up in the driveway, take five minutes and walk through your home the way a potential buyer or guest would. Start outside: first impression, curb appeal, approach to the front door. Then move inside, room by room. Ask yourself honestly: if I were browsing this listing online and saw this room, would I be impressed? Would I want to keep scrolling? Would I book a showing — or book a stay?
The smallest details matter more than you'd think. A freshly made bed. A cleared counter. A styled coffee table. A sparkling faucet. A swept walkway. Individually they're minor. Together, they create a home that looks cared for, inviting, and worth every dollar of the asking price — or every night of the nightly rate.
I want your photos to be great. Not just technically good, but genuinely great — the kind that make people stop scrolling. The prep you put in before the shoot is the single biggest factor in whether that happens. I'll bring the gear, the skill, and twenty-plus years of experience photographing the most beautiful region in California. You bring the clean counters and the working light bulbs. Together, we'll make your property shine.
Sample Real Estate & Virtual Tour Photography
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Scott Thompson of Scott Shots Photography has been a professional photographer since 1998, has been based in the Truckee and North Lake Tahoe region since 2002, and has specialized in real estate photography since 2016. His real estate work has been featured in the Wall Street Journal and the Robb Report — including a shoot for a Lake Tahoe lakefront estate listed at $100,000,000. He is a FAA Part 107 Certified drone pilot, a Best Local Artist 2020 award winner, and shoots with a Canon R5 Mark II and Canon L-Series lenses. Virtual tours are fully customized with your logo, branding, owner-provided floor plan links, and local school information.
Packages are available for homes of all sizes, vacation rentals, Airbnb and VRBO properties, commercial spaces, and unique projects. Drone aerial photography is available as an add-on or standalone package for qualifying locations.
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Or reach out directly: scottshotsphoto@gmail.com | (530) 277-7890
Scott Thompson / Scott Shots Photography — Truckee, California. Professional photographer since 1998, serving the Truckee, North Lake Tahoe, and greater Sierra Nevada region for real estate photography, virtual tours, drone photography, and commercial photography. Visit ScottShotsPhoto.com to learn more.
