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Real Estate Photo Prep Tips: One Simple Step for Better Photos

  • Writer: Linda Richards
    Linda Richards
  • May 14
  • 2 min read

Updated: Jun 4

When it comes to selling a home, first impressions matter — and in today’s digital world, that first impression often happens online. Great listing photos are one of the most powerful tools agents have to generate interest, boost showings, and ultimately sell faster. But even the best camera can’t fix a cluttered space.

If you're looking for real estate photo prep tips that actually make a difference, start with this one: clear the countertops. It's a simple step that helps every home shine in photos — clean, bright, and buyer-ready.


Why Countertops Matter

The kitchen is the heart of the home. It’s where morning routines begin, where family meals are shared, and where guests tend to gather. Buyers spend extra time looking at kitchen photos because they’re imagining their life there — cooking, talking, living.

That’s why clean countertops make such a big impact. When the surfaces are clear, the space feels more open, more inviting, and more functional. It helps buyers focus on the home itself — not the current owner’s lifestyle or clutter.

It also helps your photo shoot go faster and smoother. A clean kitchen allows your photographer to work quickly and efficiently, capturing the best angles without having to move or work around visual distractions.

In short: a little prep can go a long way.


Quote image with text: “The kitchen sets the tone. Clean countertops = stronger listing photos.” Background shows a clean modern kitchen with light cabinetry and pendant lights. Reinforces the importance of countertop prep for real estate photo day.

Real Estate Photo Prep Tips: What to Clear (And What to Keep)

You don’t have to stage a kitchen like a model home to get great results — just remove the everyday distractions. Here's a quick rundown:

Clear These:

  • Small appliances (toasters, coffee makers, air fryers)

  • Dish racks, soap bottles, sponges

  • Food items, utensils, cutting boards

  • Personal items (mail, keys, pet bowls, vitamins)

Keep These (sparingly):

  • A clean fruit bowl

  • A small plant or neutral decorative piece

  • One cookbook or tray with a candle


Infographic for real estate photo prep tips titled “What to Clear vs. What to Keep.” Left side shows items to remove: toaster, soaps, and mail. Right side shows items to keep sparingly: fruit bowl, candle, plant. Helps agents prepare kitchens for real estate listing photography.

Less is more. Think clean, simple, and neutral.



Bonus Tip from the RAM Team

When timelines are tight, you need a photo team that just gets it — fast, reliable, and detail-obsessed. That’s what we aim for every time.

Want even more prep tips? Download our Pre-Shoot Checklist — a quick, helpful guide you can forward to your clients before photo day.

You focus on selling. We’ll handle the visuals.


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