You've decided to sell your Las Vegas home.
The photographer is scheduled.
And now you're staring at your house wondering:
What exactly am I supposed to do before they get here?
Here's the thing:
Your listing photos matter.
A lot.
For many buyers, your home's first showing doesn't happen when they walk through the front door.
It happens on their phone.
They're scrolling through homes online, comparing properties, looking at photos, and deciding which homes are worth seeing in person.
That means your photography isn't just there to document your house.
It's marketing.
And the better we prepare your home before the photographer arrives, the better opportunity we have to showcase what makes the property special.
You don't need to completely redecorate your house.
You don't need to make it look like nobody lives there.
And you definitely don't need to panic-clean at 11:47 PM the night before.
Here's exactly how I recommend preparing your Las Vegas home for listing photos.
Start With the Goal
When we're preparing a home for photography, we're trying to accomplish a few things:
Make rooms feel spacious
Make the home feel bright
Minimize distractions
Highlight the property's best features
Help buyers understand the floor plan
Create a clean and cohesive look
Make buyers want to see more
The goal isn't:
"Look how much stuff fits in this house!"
It's:
"I could see myself living here."
Declutter More Than You Think You Need To
Cameras see everything.
That pile of mail you barely notice?
The camera sees it.
The collection of water bottles on the kitchen counter?
Camera sees it.
The 17 shampoo bottles in the shower?
Oh, the camera DEFINITELY sees those.
Before photography, go room by room and remove unnecessary items from:
Countertops
Tables
Desks
Nightstands
Dressers
Shelves
Floors
Window ledges
Bathroom vanities
You don't need to remove everything.
You just want each space to feel intentional.
Less Furniture Can Make a Room Feel Bigger
Sometimes a room isn't small.
It just has too much furniture in it.
Consider temporarily removing:
Extra chairs
Oversized furniture
Additional side tables
Exercise equipment
Excess shelving
Large pet furniture
Anything blocking walkways
Buyers need to understand the room's size and function.
Give the space some breathing room.
Start Packing Early
You're moving anyway.
Photography prep is the perfect excuse to start packing things you won't need.
Pack:
Seasonal décor
Collections
Extra books
Extra dishes
Excess clothing
Personal memorabilia
Extra toys
Unnecessary décor
You're accomplishing two things at once:
Your house photographs better.
And future you has less packing to do.
Win-win.
Clean Before Photo Day
Photos are incredibly unforgiving.
Dust, streaks, dirty floors, fingerprints, and water spots can all show up.
Before photography, clean:
Floors
Baseboards
Counters
Appliances
Mirrors
Windows
Glass doors
Showers
Sinks
Fixtures
Ceiling fans
Light fixtures
Pay particular attention to anything shiny.
Stainless steel appliances covered in fingerprints have never once improved a kitchen photo.
Open Up the Windows
Natural light can make a huge difference.
Before photography:
Open blinds
Open curtains
Straighten window coverings
Clean visible glass
Remove anything blocking windows
The photographer may adjust things based on lighting conditions, but giving them clean, accessible windows makes the process easier.
And if your home has a great Las Vegas Valley, mountain, Strip, golf course, park, or backyard view?
We definitely don't want the blinds hiding it.
Make Sure the Lights Work
Walk through the entire house and check your light bulbs.
Replace burned-out bulbs before the photographer arrives.
Pay attention to:
Ceiling lights
Lamps
Under-cabinet lighting
Bathroom lights
Exterior lights
Pendant lights
Chandeliers
Consistent lighting can help rooms feel polished.
One random dead bulb over the kitchen island is surprisingly noticeable.
Hide the Cords
Look around for visible:
Phone chargers
Extension cords
Laptop cords
Gaming cables
Appliance cords
Extra electronics
You don't need to dismantle your entire entertainment system.
Just remove unnecessary cords when possible.
Little visual distractions add up.
Preparing the Kitchen for Listing Photos
The kitchen is one of the most important rooms in your listing.
We want buyers looking at:
Counter space
Cabinets
Island
Appliances
Layout
Lighting
Not your air fryer collection.
Before photos, remove or minimize:
Paper towels
Dish soap
Sponges
Drying racks
Vitamins
Medications
Mail
Food containers
Refrigerator magnets
Excess countertop appliances
You can leave a few intentional items if they complement the space.
Maybe:
Simple plant
Decorative bowl
Small coffee setup
But less is usually more.
Clean Off the Refrigerator
This one hurts, I know.
But remove:
Magnets
Photos
Invitations
School schedules
Coupons
Random papers
Takeout menus
We want the refrigerator to look clean and streamlined.
You can put everything back after photography.
Clear the Kitchen Sink
No dishes.
No sponge collection.
No giant bottle of dish soap.
No drying rack full of yesterday's dinner.
Empty and clean the sink.
If you've got a beautiful faucet or farmhouse sink, let us actually see it.
Preparing Bathrooms for Photos
Bathrooms should feel clean, bright, and simple.
Remove:
Toothbrushes
Toothpaste
Razors
Medications
Hair products
Makeup
Cleaning supplies
Laundry
Bath mats if they clutter the room
Trash cans when appropriate
Clear the vanity.
Then clean:
Mirror
Sink
Faucets
Shower glass
Tub
Floors
Bathrooms photograph best when they feel almost hotel-like.
Please Remove Everything From the Shower
Yes.
Everything.
I know you use it.
But the buyer doesn't need to know you're loyal to six different brands of shampoo.
Remove:
Shampoo
Conditioner
Body wash
Razors
Loofahs
Bath toys
Cleaning products
A clean shower looks larger and more appealing.
Close the Toilet Lid
Tiny detail.
Huge difference.
Every toilet lid should be down.
I promise there is no listing photo that has ever been improved by an open toilet.
Preparing the Primary Bedroom
The primary bedroom should feel calm and spacious.
Before photography:
Make the bed
Straighten pillows
Remove laundry
Clear nightstands
Minimize décor
Hide charging cables
Remove pet beds if distracting
Clear floors
If the room has a great view, patio access, fireplace, sitting area, or other feature, make sure nothing is blocking it.
Make the Bed Like You Mean It
This is not the morning to pull the comforter over the pillows and call it a day.
Straighten:
Sheets
Comforter
Pillows
Throw pillows
Blankets
The bed is usually the largest visual element in the room.
If it's messy, the whole room looks messy.
Preparing Secondary Bedrooms
Each bedroom should have a clear purpose.
If it's a bedroom, let it look like a bedroom.
If it's an office, let it look like an office.
If it's currently:
Guest bedroom + Peloton + storage + Amazon return center + Christmas decorations
we need to pick a lane. 😂
Help buyers understand how the room can be used.
Preparing a Home Office
Home offices can be a valuable feature.
Before photos:
Clear paperwork
Remove sensitive information
Organize cords
Clean the desk
Minimize equipment
Remove trash
Straighten chairs
Also make sure personal or confidential documents aren't visible.
Your listing photos are going online.
Preparing the Living Room
We want the living room to feel comfortable and spacious.
Consider removing:
Excess pillows
Extra blankets
Toys
Remote controls
Pet items
Excess décor
Oversized furniture
Random everyday clutter
Straighten:
Rugs
Pillows
Curtains
Furniture
And make sure we're highlighting features such as:
Fireplace
Built-ins
Large windows
View
Open-concept layout
Don't Forget the Dining Room
Clear the dining table.
You don't need a full formal tablescape unless it genuinely works for the home.
Often, something simple photographs better.
A clean table with one intentional centerpiece can be enough.
And please remove:
Mail
Keys
Laptops
Homework
Grocery bags
The dining room is not the staging area for everything you're trying to hide from the photographer.
What About Closets?
Whether closets will be photographed depends on the property and marketing strategy.
But either way, buyers will eventually open them.
If you have a beautiful:
Walk-in closet
Custom closet
Large pantry
Built-in storage system
we may want to showcase it.
That means it needs to be organized enough to photograph well.
You don't need to color-coordinate your shirts.
But maybe don't have three laundry baskets falling out when the door opens.
Preparing the Laundry Room
Clear:
Laundry
Detergent clutter
Cleaning products
Ironing board
Random household items
If you have cabinets, a sink, counter space, or other useful features, let those features show.
Preparing the Garage
Whether we photograph the garage depends on the property.
If you have something worth showcasing, like:
Three-car garage
Epoxy flooring
Custom storage
EV charging
Workshop
Extra depth
Built-in cabinets
then yes, let's consider photographing it.
If that's the case:
Organize it.
Don't move everything from the house into the garage and then expect us to showcase the garage. 😂
Remove Vehicles From the Driveway
Before exterior photography, move vehicles away from the front of the home.
That includes:
Cars
Trucks
Motorcycles
Work vehicles
And depending on the property:
RVs
Boats
Trailers
Unless a parking feature itself is part of what we're showcasing, we generally want the exterior of the home unobstructed.
We want buyers looking at the property—not trying to figure out who drives the lifted F-250.
Clean Up the Front Yard
Your exterior photo may be the first image buyers see.
Before photography:
Remove trash cans
Remove hoses
Sweep walkways
Pull weeds
Trim landscaping
Remove dead plants
Clean artificial turf
Straighten outdoor furniture
Clean the driveway
Remove unnecessary decorations
Las Vegas desert landscaping can photograph beautifully when it's clean and maintained.
Pay Attention to the Front Door
The entry matters.
Clean:
Front door
Hardware
Porch
Light fixture
House numbers
Doorbell
Remove:
Cobwebs
Packages
Shoes
Excess decorations
A clean entrance helps set the tone for the rest of the home.
Preparing the Backyard
Backyards are a huge part of the Las Vegas lifestyle.
Before photos:
Remove clutter
Clean patios
Straighten furniture
Put away hoses
Remove pet waste
Organize toys
Clean the grill area
Trim landscaping
Clean artificial turf
Remove damaged or unnecessary items
If you have a great entertaining area, let's make it look like somewhere buyers want to spend Saturday night.
If You Have a Pool, This Is Its Moment
A pool can be one of the strongest visual features of a Las Vegas listing.
Make it look good.
Before photography:
Clean the pool
Remove leaves
Make sure water looks clear
Clean decking
Remove cleaning equipment when appropriate
Remove excessive pool toys
Straighten lounge chairs
Clean outdoor furniture
Clean spa area
Turn on appropriate water features if planned
If the photographer is capturing twilight photos, the pool can look especially impressive with lighting and water features.
Don't waste that opportunity.
What About Pool Floats?
One or two intentional pool floats?
Maybe.
A pool filled with 14 flamingos, three noodles, a basketball hoop, and a giant inflatable cheeseburger?
Probably not.
We're selling the pool.
Not documenting spring break.
Preparing a Balcony or Patio
If your home has a balcony, patio, courtyard, or rooftop area, make it feel usable.
Consider:
Clean furniture
Simple seating
Clean flooring
Minimal décor
Clear views
If the space has a view, don't block it.
Remove Trash Cans
This includes:
Kitchen trash
Bathroom trash
Exterior trash bins
Recycling bins
Move them somewhere they won't appear in photos.
A giant green trash can has never been the architectural focal point we're going for.
Hide Cleaning Supplies
Yes, the house is clean.
No, we don't need photographic evidence of every product used to get it there.
Put away:
Vacuum
Mop
Broom
Cleaning bottles
Laundry products
Buckets
Create a Plan for Pets
I love the dogs.
But we probably don't need them starring in the MLS photos.
Before photography, arrange for pets to be:
Out of the house
Secured safely
With a friend
On a walk
Otherwise appropriately managed
Also remove or minimize:
Food bowls
Water bowls
Pet beds
Crates
Toys
Litter boxes
Waste
And check the backyard.
Yes, I'm talking about that kind of checking. 😂
Remove Personal and Sensitive Information
This is important.
Listing photos may be published online.
Remove visible:
Mail
Bills
Calendars
School information
Medication
Documents
Family schedules
Personal identification
Security information
Look carefully at desks, refrigerators, bulletin boards, and countertops.
What About Family Photos?
You don't have to remove every family photo from the house.
But if you have entire walls covered in them, consider reducing the number.
We want buyers paying attention to:
Your house.
Not figuring out your entire family tree.
Remove Highly Distracting Items
Anything that could pull attention away from the property should be evaluated.
The test is simple:
Will buyers remember the room—or will they remember the thing in the room?
If the answer is the thing, consider removing it temporarily.
Don't Forget Mirrors
Mirrors need to be clean.
They also reflect things.
Before photography, look at what's visible in each mirror.
Sometimes something that seems completely out of frame is suddenly front and center in the reflection.
Your photographer will work around this too, but preparation helps.
Turn Off Ceiling Fans
For photography, ceiling fans are generally better turned off.
A moving fan can appear blurred in a still photograph.
Make sure the blades are clean too.
Yes, the camera can see that dust.
Sorry. 😂
What About TVs?
Whether TVs should be on or off may depend on the photographer's approach and the room.
But clean the screen and remove distracting cords.
And if the television is displaying your Netflix account, family photos, or security camera feed, maybe don't leave that up.
Preparing for Twilight Photography
If your marketing plan includes twilight photography, there may be a second round of preparation.
That could involve:
Exterior lights
Landscape lighting
Pool lighting
Spa lighting
Water features
Interior lighting
Fire features
Twilight photos can create a completely different mood and may be especially effective for certain Las Vegas properties.
Should You Stage Before Listing Photos?
Possibly.
Staging doesn't always mean bringing in an entire truckload of furniture.
Sometimes it means:
Removing furniture
Rearranging furniture
Simplifying décor
Adding a few intentional pieces
Making rooms feel larger
Helping buyers understand awkward spaces
Vacant homes may benefit from physical or other appropriate staging strategies depending on the property and marketing plan.
We'll determine what makes sense.
What Should You Do the Morning of Photography?
Here's your final walkthrough.
Before the photographer arrives:
Make every bed
Clear counters
Clear bathroom vanities
Empty sinks
Put toilet lids down
Remove trash
Hide cleaning supplies
Open appropriate blinds and curtains
Check light bulbs
Straighten pillows
Remove pet items
Move vehicles
Move trash bins
Clean mirrors
Clean pool
Sweep patios
Check the front entry
Remove personal documents
Check every room for clutter
Then walk outside.
Look back at the house.
Anything distracting?
Fix it.
What Should You NOT Do on Photo Day?
Don't wait until the photographer arrives to begin cleaning.
Don't schedule contractors to work during photography.
Don't have landscapers blowing leaves through the backyard while we're trying to photograph it.
Don't leave cars blocking the house.
Don't leave every light bulb burned out.
Don't fill the garage with everything you removed from the house if we're photographing the garage.
And don't follow the photographer from room to room apologizing for your house.
Seriously.
We'll handle it. 😂
Your Complete Las Vegas Listing Photo Checklist
Interior
Declutter
Deep clean
Remove excess furniture
Make beds
Clear kitchen counters
Clear bathroom counters
Empty sinks
Remove shower products
Close toilet lids
Clean mirrors
Clean windows
Straighten blinds
Check light bulbs
Hide cords
Remove trash cans
Hide cleaning supplies
Remove pet items
Organize visible storage
Remove sensitive documents
Simplify décor
Exterior
Move vehicles
Move trash bins
Remove hoses
Pull weeds
Trim landscaping
Sweep walkways
Clean driveway
Clean front door
Clean patio
Straighten outdoor furniture
Remove pet waste
Clean artificial turf
Remove backyard clutter
Pool
Clean water
Remove debris
Clean decking
Remove unnecessary toys
Remove cleaning equipment when appropriate
Straighten furniture
Clean spa
Prepare water features if being photographed
Final Five-Minute Check
Beds made?
Counters clear?
Toilets closed?
Cars moved?
Trash cans hidden?
Pets handled?
Pool clean?
Lights working?
Personal information removed?
Front door clean?
Perfect.
Let's shoot.
Why Professional Real Estate Photography Matters
You can prepare your home perfectly and still undermine the entire thing with bad photography.
Professional real estate photography helps showcase:
Space
Layout
Lighting
Architectural features
Outdoor areas
Views
Upgrades
Overall presentation
The photography should be part of a larger marketing strategy—not an afterthought.
Because your home's online presentation can influence whether a buyer decides to schedule a showing in the first place.
Your Home Deserves More Than Cell Phone Photos
Selling your home is a major financial transaction.
The marketing should reflect that.
At Waldeck Real Estate Group, I believe the way a property is presented matters.
That means looking beyond simply:
"Put it in the MLS and see what happens."
We want to think about:
Property preparation
Professional photography
Video when appropriate
Social media
Digital marketing
Property positioning
Listing copy
Showing experience
Overall brand presentation
Your house isn't just another listing.
For the time we're marketing it, it's a brand.
And my job is to make buyers pay attention.
Final Thoughts
Preparing your Las Vegas home for listing photos doesn't require making the house perfect.
It requires removing distractions and letting the property's best features take center stage.
Declutter.
Clean.
Open up the space.
Prepare the exterior.
Clean the pool.
Move the cars.
Hide the trash cans.
Handle the pet stuff.
And let the professionals take it from there.
At Waldeck Real Estate Group, marketing isn't something that starts after your home is listed.
It starts before the photographer ever walks through the door.
Because before a buyer schedules a showing, before they walk through your house, and before they write an offer—
we have to make them stop scrolling.
Thinking about selling your home in Las Vegas, Henderson, Summerlin, or North Las Vegas? Let's prepare it, photograph it, market it, and make sure your home gets the attention it deserves.
This article provides general real estate and property-preparation information. Recommended photography, staging, repairs, property preparation, and marketing strategies vary based on the individual home, market conditions, seller goals, and listing strategy.
