---
title: How to Prepare a Property for Photographs | Ellie Spencer Property Media
url: https://elliespencer.uk.com/property/guides/preparing-a-property-for-photos/
description: A room-by-room checklist for getting a house ready for property photographs, a floor plan and an EPC visit. Written for vendors, landlords and agents to send on.
last_updated: 2026-10-07
publisher: Ellie Spencer
---

Guide

# How to prepare a property for photographs

A room-by-room checklist for vendors and landlords. Agents, feel free to send this page on. Ten minutes of tidying before I arrive makes more difference to the photographs than anything I do afterwards.

By [Ellie Spencer](https://elliespencer.uk.com/about/)Updated 7 October 20262 minute read

## The short answer

- Every light on, every curtain and blind open.
- Cars off the drive and bins out of sight.
- Clear surfaces: worktops, tables, bathroom shelves and windowsills.
- For the EPC, access to every room, the boiler, the heating controls and the loft hatch.

## Outside

- Move cars off the drive and away from the front of the house.
- Put bins out of sight.
- Cut the lawn if you can, and put away hoses, tools and toys.
- Close garage doors and open the gates.

## Every room

- Turn on every light, and replace any blown bulbs.
- Open all curtains and blinds.
- Clear surfaces and windowsills.
- Put away coats, shoes, chargers, cables and remote controls.
- Turn televisions and screens off.

## Kitchen

- Clear the worktops apart from one or two nice things.
- Take everything off the fridge door.
- Hide tea towels, cloths, washing-up liquid and the kitchen bin.

## Bathrooms

- Toilet seats down.
- Toiletries, razors and bath toys out of sight.
- One set of clean towels, folded.

## Bedrooms

- Beds made, with the covers straight.
- Clothes, laundry and bags away.
- Bedside tables cleared.

## People and pets

You are welcome to stay in, but I will ask you to move from room to room with me so you are not in shot. Pets are best out of the house, or with someone, while I work.

## If there is an EPC on the same visit

I need to see every room, the boiler and heating controls, the hot water cylinder if there is one, and the loft hatch. Please leave any paperwork about the boiler, insulation or windows out for me. See [EPCs when you sell or let](https://elliespencer.uk.com/property/guides/epc-selling-or-letting/).

## If the property is not ready

The booking assumes the property is ready on arrival. Substantial tidying or waiting on site is charged at £30 an hour. If I cannot get in, or the property is not ready to photograph, the visit is charged in full. Moving the booking is free with at least 48 hours' notice.

## Read next

[Guide

### Drone photography for property: the rules

Aerial photographs show what a ground-level photograph cannot: the plot, the setting and the roofline.

Read](https://elliespencer.uk.com/property/guides/drone-photography-rules/)[Guide

### Property floor plans explained

A floor plan shows a buyer how a home fits together before they visit.

Read](https://elliespencer.uk.com/property/guides/floor-plans-explained/)[Questions

### FAQ

Short answers to the questions I am asked most.

Read](https://elliespencer.uk.com/property/faq/)[Glossary

### Property media terms

The jargon, in plain English.

Read](https://elliespencer.uk.com/property/glossary/)

## Got an instruction?

Send the address and what you need. You get a confirmed slot the same day.

[Book a shoot](https://elliespencer.uk.com/property/#enquire)

[See rates](https://elliespencer.uk.com/property/rates/)

---

## About this business

- Business: Ellie Spencer Property Media & Wedding Films, a sole trader run by Ellie Spencer
- Address: Morton Spiert Farm, Abbots Morton, Worcestershire WR7 4NA
- Email: ellie@elliespencer.uk.com (no phone line; enquiries by email or the website forms)
- Covers: Worcestershire, Warwickshire and the Cotswolds
- Wedding films: from £1,000 (8 hours), £1,250 (12 hours), £2,100 with photography
- Property media: photography from £95, with floor plan from £150, full package with EPC and aerials from £250; EPC or aerials alone from £80, floor plan alone from £50
- Credentials: accredited domestic energy assessor (ECMK); CAA certified drone pilot; £5m public liability, £1m professional indemnity
- ICO registration: C2004351