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It’s time-consuming but necessary: You must prepare your property prior to your scheduled shoot. To streamline this process, we created a helpful checklist to guide you through your pre-shoot inspection. 


You may print a physical copy of the checklist or use the mobile form below (recommended). The latter enables you – in real time during your walkthrough – to capture any room-specific notes or instructions you’d like to share with your Mammoth Media photographer.

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Pre-Shoot Preparation

Preparation Timeline

48 Hours Before Shoot:  Complete deep cleaning & lawn maintenance.
3 Hours Before Shoot:  Perform final decluttering & room staging.
1 Hour Before Shoot:  Turn on all lights, set temperature & secure pets.

1:  Exterior & Curb Appeal

First Impressions

A.  DRIVEWAY & STREET VIEW

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  1. Move all cars and trucks completely out of sight. (Park them down the street, if possible.) This applies to all recreational vehicles as well, e.g., trailers, boats, RVs and jet skis.

  2. Close all garage doors.

  3. Ensure exterior windows are clean.

  4. Sweep the driveway, sidewalks, porches and main entry.

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B.  LAWN & LANDSCAPING

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  1. Mow the grass, edge the walkways and trim any weeds.

  2. Remove organic debris, e.g., fallen leaves, branches and grass clippings. 

  3. Hide garden hoses, sprinklers, spray nozzles and watering cans. 

  4. Hide lawn tools, planting materials and bags of soil. 

  5. If empty, refresh mulch or decorative landscaping material in prominent beds.


C.  BACKYARD & PATIO STAGING

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  1. Uncover all patio furniture, outdoor dining sets and couches. 

  2. Clean and wipe outdoor tabletops, cushions and bar counters. 

  3. Open patio umbrellas completely. 

  4. Clean the grill body and hide any protective coverings. 

  5. Put away children's toys, bicycles, skateboards and sports gear.


D.  SWIMMING POOLS, SPAS & WATER FEATURES

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  1. Turn off pool vacuums, sweepers and floating skimmers. 

  2. Remove long pool nets, floats and float lines. 

  3. Skim the water to remove any bugs, leaves or film. 

  4. Turn on water features and top-off pool water levels. 

  5. Turn on decorative illumination including internal pool, spa and waterfall lighting.

  6. The color and clarity of all pools, spas and water features will be tastefully enhanced for maximum presentation impact.

2:  Interior Structure & Environment

Whole-House Rules

A.  LIGHTING & ECOSYSTEMS

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  1. Turn on every light fixture, lamp, wall sconce and under-cabinet bulb. 

  2. Replace any burned-out, flickering or missing light bulbs. 

  3. Ensure all bulbs in a single room share the same color temperature (e.g., Warm White).

  4. Turn off all ceiling fans completely to prevent distracting motion blur. (Your Mammoth Media Tech may turn fans back on for cinematic video filming, if applicable.)

  5. Turn off all TVs, computer monitors and gaming systems. During post-production, our editing team can easily replace any blank TV screen with an attractive, high-resolution image – e.g., a photo of the home, a Texas landscape, etc. (Let let us know if you have a particular image you would like us to use here.)


B.  WINDOWS, DOORS & TEMPERATURE

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  1. Open all blinds, window shades, vertical panels and curtains completely. If they cannot be opened completely, adjust horizontal blind slats to a level, flat, 90-degree position to maximize lighting and exterior views. 

  2. Clean all glass windows and sliding doors to remove any smudges or streaks. 

  3. Close all doors that connect interior rooms (unless a continuous flow is being showcased). 

  4. Set the thermostat to a comfortable temperature to avoid fogging.

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C.  FLOORS, SURFACES & UTILITIES

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  1. Vacuum all carpets and rugs, keeping visible vacuum lines straight. 

  2. Sweep and mop all hard flooring, e.g., wood, tile, laminate, stone. 

  3. Hide loose extension cords, power strips, charging cables and wires. 

  4. Conceal all trash cans, tissue boxes and indoor air fresheners. 

  5. Remove all indoor pet features, e.g., bowls, water dishes, toys, beds.

3:  Room-by-Room Staging

Divide & Conquer

A.  KITCHEN & PANTRY

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  1. Clear 100% of kitchen counters and islands: remove blenders, air fryers and knife blocks. 

  2. Hide all cleaning items: dish soap, sponges, scrubbers and rags. 

  3. Empty and clean sink(s) entirely; dismantle and hide any over-sink drying racks. Dry sink and surrounding areas to remove water spots. 

  4. Remove all refrigerator magnets, flyers, photos and calendars in the kitchen. When in doubt, remember that you are inviting prospective buyers to image themselves in the home – not the previous owners.

  5. Hide paper towel holders, oven mitts, dish towels and floor mats.

  6. Consider placing a single, brightly colored bowl of fruit – or a sliced loaf of gourmet bread, perhaps displayed on a rustic cutting board – to add visual interest.

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B.  DINING ROOM

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  1. Clear the entire dining table surface of all mail, clutter and keys. 

  2. Tuck all dining chairs neatly under the table; ensure they are spaced evenly.

  3. Consider placing a single, decorative element – like a unique centerpiece or a vase of flowers – on the dining table. Or set the entire table with high-end place settings. The goal here is to make the room feel warm and welcoming, not highly personalized.

 

C.  LIVING ROOM & FAMILY AREAS

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  1. Fluff and arrange all sofa cushions, accent pillows and throw blankets. 

  2. Clear off coffee and end tables; display 1-3 stylized books or designer magazines in plain, casual sight. 

  3. Hide all remote controls, game controllers and newspapers. 

  4. Remove any exercise equipment, yoga mats and free weights. 

  5. Stow children's toys, play equipment and floor puzzles.

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D.  PRIMARY BEDROOM & GUEST SUITES

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  1. Make all beds neatly; use a fabric steamer to eliminate deep wrinkles. Tuck all sheets, comforters and bed skirts tightly under mattresses. 

  2. Clear off all nightstands: remove reading glasses, books and sleep masks. 

  3. Remove all clutter, clothing, shoes and luggage from the floors. 

  4. Close all closet doors completely. 

  5. Remove storage boxes.

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E.  BATHROOMS & POWDER ROOMS

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  1. Clear 100% of vanities: hide toothbrushes, cosmetics, medications and soaps. 

  2. Hide all shower products: shampoos, body washes, razors and loofahs. 

  3. Close all toilet lids completely and ensure porcelain exteriors are clean.

  4. Toilet-paper dispensers should include a full roll, which should roll over (never under), with the ends "hotel folded" into a neat point. Hide any back-up rolls from sight.

  5. Hang fresh, neatly folded matching hand towels on wall racks. 

  6. Remove laundry hampers, used bath mats and floor rugs.

4:  Luxury Amenities

Special Features & Spaces

A.  WINE CELLARS & HOME BARS

 

  1. Arrange wine bottles cleanly in racks with labels facing forward or up. 

  2. Wipe down glass display cabinets, mirrors and metal rack systems. 

  3. Lightly stage social areas: set out a clean, polished decanter, two matching wine glasses and/or any unique bottle opener or accessory. 

  4. Turn on all lights including specialized LEDs, accent, rack or under-counter strip lighting.

 

B.  HOME THEATERS & MEDIA ROOMS

 

  1. Turn on structural theater lighting systems. 

  2. Cue up a static, high-definition architectural or atmospheric screen image. (If doing so would prove disruptive to the room aesthetic, an appropriate image can be added in post-production.)

  3. Arrange theater seating neatly; clean any leather or fabric chairs. 

  4. Hide all loose media cases, headphones and system-controller hubs.

  5. Consider staging a special feature, such as a stand-alone popcorn machine or antique projector, for visual interest. 

 

C.  HOME OFFICES & STUDY SPACES

 

  1. Clean the primary desk surface; hide loose papers, pens and files. 

  2. Conceal bulky desk equipment, shredders or tangled wires. 

  3. Organize bookshelves cleanly; group books by size or color. 

  4. Position executive chair centrally; slide fully under desk, arms touching desktop.

5:  Mammoth Media Policies

Keeping It Fun & Productive

A.  "CAMERA-READY" COMPLIANCE

 

Properties must be fully styled, prepped and staged prior to the photographer's arrival. Our media specialists operate under strict, time-sensitive production protocols. Unfortunately, this means our onsite technicians will not have time to clean, dust, vacuum, sweep or wipe down any surfaces. 

 

Similarly, they will also not be able to assist in moving any heavy furniture, appliances or personal belongings. Unready rooms or spaces will be skipped entirely to maintain planned schedules. We will make every attempt to contact you to discuss options, if you are not onsite during the shoot. Some preparation oversights can be corrected in post-production.

 

B.  ANIMAL & PET SAFETY LAWS

 

All domestic pets must be completely restrained or removed from the property. Pets cannot roam free inside or outside during active production windows. Mammoth Media assumes zero liability for animals escaping through open doors, gates, pet entrances or fences. Please be aware that any re-shoots required due to pet disruptions or on-camera incursions will likely result in additional fees.

 

C.  ARRIVAL WINDOWS & LATE PENALTIES

 

A 15-minute arrival “grace window” is granted to you and our photographer(s) to account for any delays due to traffic conditions or unavoidable circumstances. 

 

However, delays caused by poorly prepared or “unready listings” will reduce our total onsite capture time and, in turn, the number of images we're able to capture. Inaccessible listings or gate lockouts will result in an immediate No-Show fee of $150. 

 

Please ensure your property is prepared prior to our arrival. If you have reason to believe it may not be ready, please contact us ASAP.  Given 24-hours' notice, we can easily reschedule your shoot or make alternative arrangements to accommodate your needs.

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MOBILE VERSION

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PRE-SHOOT CHECKLIST

1: Exterior & Curb Appeal
First Impressions

A. DRIVEWAY & STREET VIEW

Check Off As Completed:

B. LAWN & LANDSCAPING

Check Off As Completed:

C. BACKYARD & PATIO STAGING

Check Off As Completed:

D. POOLS, SPAS & WATER FEATURES

Check Off As Completed:
2: Interior & Environment
Whole-House Rules

A. LIGHTING, SCREENS & ECOSYSTEMS

Check Off As Completed:

B. WINDOWS, DOORS & TEMPERATURE

Check Off As Completed:

C. FLOORS, SURFACES & UTILITIES

Check Off As Completed:
3: Room Staging 
Divide & Conquer 

A. KITCHEN & PANTRY

Check Off As Completed:

B. DINING ROOM

Check Off As Completed:

C. LIVING ROOM & FAMILY AREAS

Check Off As Completed:

D. PRIMARY BEDROOM & GUEST SUITES

Check Off As Completed:

E. BATHROOMS & POWDER ROOMS

Check Off As Completed:
4: Luxury Amenities
Special Features / Spaces

A. WINE CELLARS & HOME BARS

Check Off As Completed:

B. HOME THEATERS & MEDIA ROOMS

Check Off As Completed:

C. HOME OFFICES & STUDY SPACES

Check Off As Completed:
Submission Options
Who else will be onsite the day of the shoot?
How will Mammoth Media access the property?

Let's discuss your next project!

Have a question for our media team or service staff?  We’re here to help!  Complete the form at right or reach out by other means below.  We look forward to hearing from you!

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