IMPORTANT: I will NOT move, remove, or arrange any items on your property. All preparation must be completed before the scheduled shoot time.

Why Preparation Matters: Aerial photography captures your entire property from above, making many items you might not notice from ground level visible. Professional marketing images should showcase your home and landscaping—not everyday clutter. The cleaner and more organized your property appears, the better your photos will look.

Simple Rule: If it's not functional furniture or intentional decoration,  put it away.

Use this checklist to ensure you are prepared for your photography shoot.

FRONT YARD & DRIVEWAY

Remove or Store:

☐ Vehicles - Remove all cars, trucks, RVs, boats, and trailers from the driveway and street in front of the home

☐ Trash and recycling bins - Store in garage or side yard, completely out of view

☐ Children's toys - Bikes, scooters, ride-on toys, sports equipment, chalk drawings

☐ Garden hoses and equipment - Coil and store hoses, put away sprinklers, gardening tools, wheelbarrows

☐ Yard maintenance items - Rakes, shovels, brooms, yard waste bags, lawn mowers

☐ Seasonal decorations - Holiday lights, inflatable decorations (unless currently appropriate season)

☐ Random items - Shoes, packages, deliveries, door mats (if worn), welcome signs (if weathered)

☐ Pet items - Dog houses, pet toys, food/water bowls, leashes

Clean and Tidy:

☐ Sweep driveway and walkways

☐ Remove leaves, debris, and yard waste

☐ Edge the lawn if overgrown onto walkways

☐ Trim bushes blocking windows or walkways

Acceptable to Leave (Functional/Decorative):

• Patio furniture in good condition

• Planters with healthy, maintained plants

• Decorative garden features (statues, birdbaths, fountains)

• House numbers/address markers

• Quality doormats in good condition

BACKYARD & POOL AREA

Remove or Store:

☐ Pool toys and floats - Rafts, noodles, balls, diving toys, inflatable animals

☐ Children's play equipment - Portable playsets, sandboxes, kiddie pools, slides

☐ Yard games and sports equipment - Cornhole boards, badminton nets, soccer goals, basketballs

☐ BBQ accessories - Propane tanks (if visible), grill covers (if worn), BBQ tools left out

☐ Pool maintenance items - Skimmers, vacuum poles, chemical containers, test kits

☐ Garden equipment - Watering cans, fertilizer bags, empty pots, tools

☐ Pet waste and accessories - Clean up all pet waste, remove food bowls, toys, kennels

☐ Laundry and clotheslines - Remove hanging laundry, store drying racks

☐ Tarps and covers - Remove temporary tarps, woodpile covers (unless neat and intentional)

☐ Storage items - Firewood scattered around, lumber piles, construction materials

Clean and Tidy:

☐ Skim pool and remove debris from water

☐ Clean pool deck and patio areas

☐ Mow lawn and remove grass clippings

☐ Clear weeds from fence lines and garden beds

☐ Empty outdoor ashtrays or trash receptacles

☐ Arrange deck/patio furniture neatly (if keeping)

Acceptable to Leave (Functional/Decorative):

• Outdoor furniture in good condition and arranged nicely

• BBQ grills (clean, in good condition)

• Fire pits and outdoor fireplaces

• Permanent play structures (swing sets, trampolines)

• Garden decorations (statues, birdbaths, nice planters)

• Outdoor lighting fixtures

• Water features (fountains, ponds)

• Pergolas, gazebos, and shade structures

ROOF & BUILDING EXTERIOR

Important: Aerial photography clearly shows your roof. Please address visible issues if possible:

☐ Remove roof debris - Fallen branches, leaves (if safely accessible from ground)

☐ Clear gutters of visible overflow - Standing water, plant growth (if safely accessible)

☐ Close roof access hatches - Attic vents left open, temporary covers

☐ Secure loose items - Flapping tarps, debris on flat roof sections

SIDE YARDS & PROPERTY PERIMETER

☐ Remove stored items - Garbage bins, yard waste containers, stored lumber, equipment

☐ Clear pathways - Remove overgrown vegetation, clear walkways

☐ Organize utility areas - Clear debris around AC units and utility boxes

☐ Screen or relocate - Trash areas, compost bins, dog runs (if messy)

GENERAL OUTDOOR AREAS

☐ Turn off sprinklers - Schedule sprinklers to run the night before, not day-of

☐ Secure pets indoors - For safety during drone operation

☐ Close garage doors - Unless specifically showcasing garage space

☐ Remove temporary structures - Tents, canopies, temporary fencing

☐ Clear driveways and walkways - Ensure all paths are completely clear and clean

☐ Check fence lines - Remove items leaning against fences

RECOMMENDED TIMELINE

1 Week Before:

• Schedule lawn mowing and major yard work

• Plan where to store items that need to be removed

2-3 Days Before:

• Complete major cleaning and decluttering

• Trim bushes and edge landscaping

• Clean pool and outdoor surfaces

Day Before:

• Final sweep of all areas

• Remove all vehicles from property

• Run sprinklers (so grass is lush but dry by shoot time)

Shoot Day Morning:

• Final check of all areas

• Secure pets indoors

• Ensure all requested items are cleared

FINAL REMINDER

I will arrive ready to shoot at the scheduled time and will NOT move, remove, or arrange any items. If the property is not properly prepared, you have two options:

1. Reschedule - We can reschedule for a later date once preparation is complete (rescheduling fees may apply)

2. Proceed as-is - We can proceed with the shoot, but clutter and unprepared areas will be visible in the final photos

Proper preparation ensures you get the best possible marketing images for your property.