How to Prepare for Your Photo Shoot

DECLUTTER & REMOVE PERSONAL ITEMS
☐ Remove daily clutter from all rooms and surfaces
☐ Hide personal or sensitive items (family photos, collections, religious or political décor)
☐ Put away garbage cans, dirty mats, rugs, paper towel rolls, stacks of mail, and phone chargers
☐ Remove pets (and children, if possible) and their toys, bowls, and litter boxes
☐ Keep countertops, nightstands, and showers clear and open
☐ Hide cords, routers, and remotes whenever possible
☐ Turn off ceiling fans and air diffusers before the shoot

CLEAN & TIDY
☐ Wipe windows, mirrors, and glass until spotless
☐ Sweep, mop, and vacuum all floors
☐ Clear countertops of food and small appliances — leave only décor
☐ Dust vents, ceiling fans, and light fixtures
☐ Close toilet lids and hide toiletries and cleaning supplies
☐ Check for fingerprints on stainless steel and glossy surfaces
☐ Remove visible trash bins, recycling, or hallway clutter

MAKE REPAIRS
☐ Fix visible defects such as holes, chipped paint, cracked tiles, or leaky faucets
☐ Replace missing outlet covers and switch plates
☐ Repair before the shoot — the photographer (yours truly) won’t digitally remove damage that misrepresents the property

LIGHTING & WINDOWS
☐ Open curtains and blinds evenly for natural light
☐ Replace burned-out bulbs with daylight bulbs, and ensure consistent color temperature (6,000 Kelvin is most ideal)
☐ Turn on all lights in every room unless instructed otherwise
☐ Turn off TVs and monitors to avoid color casts
☐ Remove or adjust window screens if they block sunlight

EXTERIOR & CURB APPEAL
☐ Move vehicles, bikes, and toys off-site or down the street
☐ Cut grass, sweep leaves, hide hoses and yard tools
☐ Skim pool water and remove vacuums or floats
☐ Arrange patio furniture neatly; open umbrellas if weather permits, uncover furniture, grills, and fire pits
☐ Add potted plants or flowers for curb appeal
☐ Complete landscaping, pressure washing, or pool service at least one day before the shoot
☐ Hide trash bins the night before and pick up any doggy "land mines".

TWILIGHT SHOOTS
☐ Turn on all interior and exterior lights, pool lights, string lights, tiki torches, and fire pits
☐ Ensure everything is on 30 minutes before arrival — timing is critical. Once the sun has come up or gone down, we’ve lost our window
☐ Check timers on outdoor lighting in advance, and ensure pool lights are working and set to preferred color

VACATION RENTALS & AIRBNBS
☐ Prepare the space as if guests arrive in 5 minutes — it’s showtime!
☐ Stage towels, bedding, coffee setups, and welcome material neatly
☐ Hide cleaning products, spare linens, or supplies
☐ Ensure all surfaces and appliances are spotless — detail shots reveal everything
☐ Complete staging before my arrival to maximize what we can accomplish during our shoot time

LOGISTICS & COMMUNICATION
☐ Be ready 30–45 minutes before the scheduled shoot
☐ Understand that arrival time may vary slightly due to weather or traffic
☐ Cloudy days can be rescheduled or enhanced with sky replacements
☐ Provide gate codes, access details, and parking instructions in advance
☐ Secure pets and alert me to any hazards (aggressive dogs that haven’t been removed, construction areas, wet floors, etc.)

FINAL QUICK CHECK
☐ All lights ON
☐ Ceiling fans OFF
☐ Curtains EVEN
☐ Beds made & pillows fluffed
☐ No cords or clutter visible
☐ Driveway empty
☐ Pool clean & ready
☐ Pets removed

COMMERCIAL AND HOSPITALITY SHOOTS

(Hotels, Restaurants, Corporate Spaces, Retail, Gyms, Offices)

☐ Ensure signage, branding, and exterior lighting are visible and working
☐ Remove clutter like cleaning carts, staff bins, or delivery boxes
☐ Align chairs, tables, and umbrellas neatly and evenly
☐ Check all lights — replace flickering or mismatched bulbs with consistent bulbs, preferably 6,000 kelvin
☐ Clean windows, mirrors, and shiny surfaces to remove streaks
☐ Turn off TVs, digital menus, or screens unless they’re part of the composition
☐ Arrange table settings, menus, and décor to match your brand style
☐ Ensure lobbies, restrooms, and gyms are free of guests if possible (we can discuss scheduling brief closures ahead of our shoot), spotless and stocked
☐ For restaurants: polish glassware, silverware, and prepare one plated dish for display
☐ For hotels: make beds perfectly, fluff pillows, and hide housekeeping supplies
☐ Remove “temporarily closed” signs or safety cones before the shoot
☐ Ensure staff wear professional or brand-appropriate attire if included in shots
☐ Add fresh floral arrangements or centerpieces for visual appeal
☐ Complete cleaning and maintenance one day prior to the shoot
☐ Provide access to rooftops, suites, or restricted areas in advance if needed
☐ Notify staff of photo times to minimize interruptions to operations

‍ ‍Questions or concerns? Please text 954.263.2094

Your photo shoot will match my portfolio and the samples on my Instagram and Facebook. If you have a specific photo idea or angle in mind, please let me know before or during our shoot. Please note that there will be a re-shoot fee (excluding travel cost) for up to 10 extra photos.

ADAM J TANNER PHOTOGRAPHY
Architectural | Hospitality | Real Estate | Drone
South Florida
Hello@AdamJTannerPhotography.com
954-263-2094