Getting Your Cabin Ready for Photo Day
After 15 years and more than 5,000 homes, I can tell you a little prep makes a big difference. This guide walks you through what to do the week before, the day before, and the morning of, so your cabin looks its best and the shoot runs smoothly.
No vendors, construction, or other work on photo day
Please don't schedule vendors, landscapers, construction, repairs, deliveries, or any other work at the property on photo day, unless it's an emergency repair. Workers, trucks, ladders, tools, and open projects end up in the shots, and working around them slows the shoot down.
The same goes for cleaning. Please have your cleaners finish before I arrive, so every room is ready when I start. If photo day lands on a turnover day, just give your cleaning crew my arrival time.
The Week Before
Take care of the bigger items early so nothing is rushed on photo day.
- ✓Send me the access details: gate and door codes, plus the Wi-Fi password. Cell signal is weak in a lot of mountain areas.
- ✓Tell me about any quirks: tricky locks, hidden light switches, patio or string light controls, or how the hot tub works.
- ✓Let me know what to feature or skip: a view you love, a new game room, or an owner's closet you'd rather keep out of the photos.
- ✓Finish repairs and touch-ups: schedule any work for earlier in the week, not on photo day. If you've replaced deck boards, stain them after the recommended 30-day cure time.
- ✓Pressure-wash the decks and porches if you can.
- ✓Schedule hot tub service a few days ahead, so the water is clear and balanced by photo day.
- ✓Pick up replacement bulbs so every burned-out bulb can be swapped for one that matches the others in the room.
- ✓Optional: fresh mulch or pine straw, planters, outdoor pillows, or lanterns make the outside look finished.
The Day Before
Think of it as a guest-ready turnover, with a little extra attention to detail.
- ✓Finish the full clean, including the windows and glass doors. Smudges and water spots show up in photos, especially with the views behind them.
- ✓Make every bed neatly with the pillows straight and the throws folded.
- ✓Clear the clutter: personal items, extra shoes and coats, chargers, and cords.
- ✓Take down taped-up signs and notes, like house rules, Wi-Fi cards, and checkout reminders.
- ✓Clean out the fire pit and fireplace: remove the burned wood and stack fresh logs neatly.
- ✓Check the hot tub water so it's clear and foam-free.
- ✓Double-check the calendar: make sure no vendors, landscapers, or crews are booked for photo day.
The Morning Of
A few final steps right before I arrive.
- ✓Turn on every light, inside and out, including lamps, under-cabinet lights, and string lights.
- ✓Raise the blinds and pull back the curtains to let in natural light and show the view.
- ✓Turn off the ceiling fans and TVs.
- ✓Prop the interior doors open with door stops.
- ✓Move the cars out of the driveway and away from the front of the house.
- ✓Hide the trash cans and recycling bins, inside and out.
- ✓Plan to be away during the shoot if you can. It's best if no one is on site, so I can move through the house without interruptions.
Room by Room
Guests look closely at these rooms, so a few minutes in each one goes a long way.
Kitchen
- ✓Clear the counters: put away paper towels, soap bottles, sponges, and dish racks, unless they're in decorative holders
- ✓Put away small appliances you don't want featured
- ✓Empty the sink and dishwasher
- ✓Clear magnets, papers, and notes off the fridge
- ✓Wipe down the stainless steel and the stovetop
Bathrooms
- ✓Clear the counters and the shower ledges
- ✓Put a fresh, neatly wrapped roll of toilet paper on each holder
- ✓Close the toilet lids
- ✓Hang or fold the towels neatly
- ✓Hide plungers, toilet brushes, scales, and trash cans
Bedrooms and Bunk Rooms
- ✓Make the beds neatly with the pillows straight
- ✓Keep the nightstands clear except for lamps and simple decor
- ✓Close the closet doors and lock any owner's closets
- ✓Put away luggage racks, laundry baskets, and extra blankets
- ✓Make the bunk beds with matching bedding if you can
Living and Game Areas
- ✓Straighten the chairs, lamps, and pillows; small adjustments make a big difference
- ✓Fold the throws and put away remotes, game controllers, and cords
- ✓Rack the pool balls and hang up the cues
- ✓Put board games and puzzles back on the shelf
- ✓Clean the fireplace glass and stack fresh logs
Outdoors
Exterior and aerial shots are often the first photos guests see, and from above, everything shows.
Hot Tub, Grill and Fire Pit
- ✓Hot tub water balanced, clear, and foam-free; I'll take the cover off
- ✓Grill cleaned; I'll uncover it, and older grills can stay covered
- ✓Fire pit cleared of ashes, fresh logs stacked, and the chairs set around it
Decks and Porches
- ✓Swept or pressure-washed
- ✓Porch furniture set out and arranged, with the cushions and pillows on
- ✓String lights and exterior lights working and turned on
Driveway and Yard
- ✓Cars out of the driveway and away from the front of the house
- ✓Trash cans and recycling bins out of sight
- ✓Trailers, tools, bins, and hoses put away, including under the decks
Lights
Lighting is one of the biggest differences between okay photos and great ones.
- ✓All lights on: overheads, lamps, under-cabinet lights, exterior lights, and string lights.
- ✓Matching bulb color: use the same color of bulb in each room, so a warm bulb isn't next to a cool white one. Matching LED bulbs look best.
- ✓Replace burned-out bulbs before photo day.
- ✓Ceiling fans off. Moving blades blur in photos.
- ✓TVs off.
What I'll Handle
You get the cabin ready, and I'll take it from there.
- ✓A quick walk-through when I arrive, before I start shooting
- ✓Taking the hot tub cover off and uncovering the grill
- ✓Interior, exterior, and aerial photos
- ✓Daytime, sunset and twilight photos every time. If bad weather rolls in, we'll reschedule your photo shoot as soon as possible.
- ✓Your photos delivered in 3 to 5 days
- ✓No deposit; you pay when the photos are delivered
Questions About Getting Ready?
If you're not sure about something on this list, just ask. Call or text me at 706-972-4750.
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