By Sean Colón
In Arizona’s competitive 2026 housing market, high-quality listing photos are one of the most powerful tools a realtor has to attract motivated buyers. According to the National Association of Realtors (NAR), 97% of homebuyers use the internet in their home search, and listings with professional photos receive up to 61% more views than those without. As a professional real estate photographer serving Arizona realtors, builders, and designers, I’ve seen firsthand how preparation directly affects how a home performs online. The difference between a “good” listing and a “great” one often comes down to how photo-ready the property is when I arrive.
This guide offers expert tips on how to help your clients prepare their homes for professional photography, what to expect from my process on shoot day, and how to use my Free Home Prep Checklist to streamline communication and ensure every listing looks its best from the start.
Why Preparation Matters for Real Estate Photography
Arizona’s real estate market remains active, especially in metro areas like Phoenix, Gilbert, and Chandler, where well-staged and photographed homes continue to sell faster and at higher prices. Zillow data shows listings with professional photos can sell for up to $11,000 more on average. But professional photography only works its magic when the home itself is prepared properly.
When homes are cluttered, over-decorated, or full of people during the session, it delays the shoot and weakens the final product. Realtors who coach their clients early on set the stage for clean, market-ready images that inspire buyers to schedule a showing.
Encouraging your clients to plan for photography early helps:
Reduce stress and last-minute scrambling on shoot day.
Keep the photography schedule efficient and on track.
Ensure every shot captures the home at its best.
What Realtors Should Tell Clients Before the Photoshoot
To help you and your clients prepare effectively, I’ve developed a Free Home Prep List that realtors can distribute directly to sellers. It outlines what needs to happen before I arrive to ensure a smooth, efficient photoshoot.
Here’s a preview of the most important prep points to review with your clients:
1. Have the home fully photo-ready before arrival.
Time spent tidying during the session takes away from capturing the best possible images. Encourage clients to finish cleaning, organizing, and staging before the photographer arrives.
2. Clear the driveway and front of the home.
Cars, trash bins, and visible clutter outside the property can ruin curb appeal shots. Ask sellers to move all vehicles off-site and ensure trash and recycling bins are hidden.
3. Minimize people and pets.
Ideally, the home should be empty during the shoot. Too many people can disrupt lighting, reflections, and workflow. Pets should be secured in a designated room or outside area once that space is photographed.
4. Don’t worry about lighting or minor details.
Professional photographers bring their own lighting equipment and know how to handle any shadows or uneven tones. Things like grout cleaning or deep carpet cleaning can wait, as those details are rarely visible in final photos.
5. Focus on high-impact visuals.
Encourage sellers to prioritize tasks that make a visible difference, like:
Mowing and edging the lawn.
Cleaning windows and mirrors.
Making beds with fresh linens.
Removing personal photos and overly bold décor.
A minimalist, depersonalized space lets potential buyers imagine themselves in the home—an essential part of effective visual marketing.
How Realtors Can Use the “Less Is More” Approach
Many sellers are emotionally attached to their homes, and the idea of removing décor or family items can feel personal. Realtors can help clients understand that the goal is not to erase their personality but to highlight the home’s features.
Try explaining that photography favors simplicity. Cluttered counters, busy wall art, or excessive seasonal décor can make spaces look smaller and distract from the home’s structure and flow. Clean lines, open surfaces, and neutral accents help create timeless images that will age well online, even if the listing remains active beyond the holidays or peak season.
Viirtual staging is a great solution to empty spaces.
A few low-cost suggestions that make a big visual impact include:
Neutralizing wall colors with light, modern tones.
Adding fresh greenery or simple floral arrangements.
Using daylight bulbs in lamps and fixtures for consistent color temperature.
Removing pet items, shoes, and personal hygiene products from sight.
These small adjustments give your listing a polished, professional edge that buyers immediately notice in online photos.
If your clients have vacated or removed everything from a room: do not sweat! As a professional photographer, I have all the tools to help your listing succeed! Virtual Staging is a great option to give buyers a visual of the potential use and purpose of a space. I work with realtors to determine the best approach to marketing a property.
What to Expect When I Arrive
When I show up to photograph a property, my process is streamlined to deliver the best results quickly and efficiently. Realtors and clients can expect:
A full walkthrough of the home before shooting to plan angles and lighting.
Professional lighting brought to enhance natural brightness in every space.
A focus on clean, symmetrical compositions that emphasize flow and space.
Communication throughout the session to ensure key features are captured.
I typically photograph every major living area, kitchen, bathrooms, bedrooms, and exterior spaces. If the home is prepared and free of distractions, most shoots can be completed efficiently without disrupting the client’s day.
Helping Clients See the Big Picture
Professional real estate photography is an investment that pays off in more than views, it builds your brand as a detail-oriented agent who delivers excellence from listing to closing. When your sellers see that preparation leads to stunning results, they’re more likely to recommend you to others.
To help streamline your listings in 2026, download and share my Free Home Prep Checklist with your next client. It simplifies communication and ensures every property looks its best before the first shot is taken. You can access it on my website seancolon.com, where I also offer examples of high-performing Arizona real estate photography for inspiration.
Have tips or experiences preparing clients for a photoshoot? Share your thoughts in the comments below. I’d love to hear what’s worked best for you in today’s fast-moving Arizona housing market.