How to Prepare

FiO Creative Real Estate Photography: The Experts in Chicago

When you have luxury real estate, you want to show it in the best possible light. And since so many buyers start their hunt for a home or commercial property online, it only makes sense to go with a professional photographer and videographer. FiO Creative has the most professional team of photographers, videographers, drone operators, and editors in the entire Chicago area.

Real Estate Photos and Video in Chicago at Their Finest

Until your buyer can see your listing in person, you want to give them the best possible views of your residential or commercial property, whether that is photographs, videos, or both. Our team can provide you with beautiful photos, amazing videos (including aerial footage taken with a drone), and even 3D Matterport tours. But there are a few things you will want to do before we arrive to take the photos and video.

Sometimes Bad Weather Just Happens

If the weather changes, we are still able to photograph in most weather conditions. After all, we can edit the photos to give you a clear blue sky regardless of the actual weather outside. But there could be times that we have to reschedule, at no cost to you, in the event of thunderstorms, snow, hail, or (for drone requests) excessive wind over 15 mph. If that happens, we will contact you to reschedule at a time that works for you and your team.

Some Tips to Get the Best Quality Photos and Video

Our team includes professional photographers and videographers, but they cannot and will not move your furniture or other personal items. All property will be photographed as-is when they arrive. Therefore, we highly recommend that you have the property professionally cleaned and staged before your appointment. We also suggest that you are present at the photo shoot in case you decide to make a last-minute change, and to ensure that everything is captured just the way you want it.

Another suggestion is that you make sure nothing else is scheduled during the photo shoot appointment. That means no deliveries, no construction, no cleaning crews, and no buyer tours scheduled at the same time. And although we love pets as much as you do, we suggest that you keep them confined to a room that won’t be photographed, or even just taken for a walk during the appointment. Anything going on at the property, and any additional people, will simply be a distraction that could prevent us from showing your beautiful property in the best possible light.

Your Confirmation Email Includes a Preparation Guide

When you receive your confirmation email, it will include a short PDF guide for how a homeowner or realtor can best prepare the property for the photo shoot. Please feel free to share this guide with everyone who needs to see it.

Step Back and Take a Long Hard Look

Prepping for the photo shoot isn’t just about removing the clutter, it is also about creating the ambience you want your buyer to see and feel. Check the pictures on the walls, and take down any that you don’t want people to see including personal photos that could identify you in the listing. Open all the doors, and turn on all the lights including table lamps. The photographer can always bring in additional lighting as needed, but let’s start with all the light you can provide. Consider placing some fresh flowers in a vase, or adding a centerpiece to the dining room table. And after hiding everything in closets and drawers, be sure to close those closet doors and cabinet drawers. Just remember, you don’t want buyers to be focused on things like a dirty hairbrush in the bathroom, or a stack of dirty dishes in the kitchen—once the buyer has seen it, they cannot unsee it.

Don’t Forget the Exterior of the Property

Remember that good photos and video of your property should include exterior views as well. That means relocating the cars out of the driveway, and removing the garbage cans. Hide the bikes, the garden tools, and the hoses. Put away any pots or planters that don’t add beauty to the property. If there is a pool, make sure it looks its best—clean, without the pool toys, and with all the outdoor furniture looking nice. Think about the importance of curb appeal—start at the curb, walk the property, and make sure what you see is what you want your buyer to see. That also means removing any “for sale” signs, just until the photo shoot is complete.

Preparing for Drone Photography and Videography

We talked about the interior of the house and the need to make things as clean and tidy as possible. And keep in mind how the exterior looks as well, including the driveway, the front and back yards, and the pool. But if you choose to have aerial drone photos or videos, make sure the entire area looks the way you want it to look. Are there any pieces of old furniture hiding behind a fence? A Frisbee that the kids lost on the roof? Any missing shingles that you can’t see from the ground? Remember: Proper preparation leads to perfect pictures!

Call Us Today for Expert Real Estate Photography in Chicago

We can’t wait to work with you, your properties, and your budget to provide you with the best photography and videography in the Chicago area. Give us a call today, or use our online contact form. We want to collaborate with you to shine the best possible light on your residential and business real estate!