For Agents · Field Guide
The real estate photography shot list.
The short answer
A real estate photography shot list is the room-by-room set of images a listing needs: exterior and curb appeal, every living space, the kitchen, the primary suite, secondary rooms, and the detail and aerial shots that give the set depth. Most listings land at 25 to 40 finished images. Below is the full list, plus the pre-shoot prep checklist that makes the home photograph larger.
The shot list
Room by room, what a listing needs.
Exterior & curb appeal
- Front elevation, camera level and straight on, shot from across the street
- Front three-quarter angles from both corners to give the facade depth
- The entry approach and front door
- Rear elevation and the full backyard
- Outdoor living: patio, deck, pool, summer kitchen, firepit
- Landscaping, mature trees, and any signature curb-appeal feature
- Aerial top-down for the lot lines, plus a 45-degree oblique showing roof, yard, and what's nearby
- Street and neighborhood context when the location is the selling point
Entry & living areas
- Foyer looking into the home
- Living room from two opposite corners, wide
- Great room showing how the space flows to the kitchen and outdoors
- Fireplace or focal wall, straight on
- A framed look out the main windows toward the view
Kitchen
- Wide anchor shot showing the full layout
- Island and the main countertop run
- Range, hood, and built-in appliances
- Backsplash and hardware detail
- Breakfast nook and pantry
Dining
- Formal dining wide, table set if the home is staged
- The sightline connecting dining, kitchen, and living
Primary suite
- Bedroom from two corners with the bed as the anchor
- Ensuite: vanity, tub, and shower, plus one detail
- Walk-in closet
Secondary bedrooms & baths
- One clean wide angle per bedroom
- Each secondary bath: vanity and shower or tub
Bonus spaces
- Office, media or bonus room, gym, wine room
- Laundry room
- An organized, swept garage
Detail & social
- Hardware, trim, built-ins, smart-home panels, and fixtures
- A handful of vertical frames for Reels, TikTok, and Stories
- Twilight exteriors when the home earns it: pool, lakefront, or strong landscape lighting
Before the photographer arrives
The pre-shoot prep checklist.
The shots above only come out clean if the home is ready. Send this to your seller a day or two before the shoot.
- 01
Turn on every light
Replace dead bulbs, match color temperature across the room, and switch on lamps and under-cabinet lighting. Bright, evenly lit rooms photograph larger.
- 02
Open all blinds and curtains
Set them to the same height throughout so the windows read consistent and daylight fills the room.
- 03
Clear the counters
Kitchen and bathroom counters should be nearly empty. Remove toiletries, dish racks, sponges, magnets, and small appliances.
- 04
Declutter and depersonalize
Stow family photos, mail, chargers, toys, and pet gear. Buyers need to picture themselves in the home.
- 05
Move the cars
Pull vehicles out of the driveway and away from the front elevation so the exterior hero shot is clean.
- 06
Hide the utilitarian
Trash and recycling bins out of sight, hoses coiled, toilet lids down, brushes and plungers put away.
- 07
Make every bed and freshen linens
Beds made, throw pillows squared, fresh towels hung or folded in the baths.
- 08
Turn off ceiling fans and TVs
Spinning fans blur in a photo and dark or random TV screens distract. Fans off, screens off.
- 09
Handle the outside
Mow, edge, clear leaves, skim the pool, and tidy the patio furniture. Curb appeal is the first photo a buyer sees.
- 10
Corral the pets
Crate or remove pets and their bowls, beds, and toys for the shoot window.
Questions
Shooting a listing, answered.
- How many photos does a real estate listing need?
- Most MLS listings do best with 25 to 40 finished images: enough to show every room and the exterior without padding. Larger or luxury homes justify more, and a small condo may need fewer. Coverage and quality matter more than a big count of near-duplicates.
- What should I do before a real estate photo shoot?
- Turn on every light, open all blinds, clear the counters, make the beds, move cars out of the driveway, hide the trash bins, and corral pets. A shoot-ready home photographs faster and looks noticeably larger.
- How long does a real estate photo shoot take?
- A typical single-family shoot runs 45 to 90 minutes on site, depending on square footage and how many services are on the order (photos, drone, video, 3D). A shoot-ready home moves faster.
- Do I need drone photos for every listing?
- No. Drone earns its place on waterfront, larger lots, gated or golf-course homes, and anywhere the location is the selling point. On a standard interior lot it adds less and can expose a small yard.
- What is the difference between a shot list and a prep checklist?
- The shot list is what the photographer captures, room by room. The prep checklist is what the agent and seller do before the shoot so those shots come out clean. Use both together.
Or hand it to us
We shoot this list every day across Central Florida.
Every shot above, captured, corrected, and delivered the next business day. Photos, drone, twilight, 3D, and video in one shoot. FAA Part 107 licensed.
Reviews
What agents say after the first shoot.
★★★★★5.0from 27 Google reviews
- ★★★★★
I can't say enough about Aerial Shots Media. From the very beginning, their customer service has been absolutely top notch, whether it's their flexibility with scheduling or their fair and transparent pricing, they make the entire process seamless. As a local realtor working alongside a partner, we rely heavily on high-quality marketing, and Aerial Shots Media has exceeded our expectations. Not only are we impressed with their work, but we've actually gained new business directly from the videos and content they've created for us. They truly are a one stop shop, offering everything from stunning professional photography and drone footage to customized social media videos. And I have to emphasize just how AMAZING they are when it comes to social media. They don't just produce content, they collaborate with you. They help script, bring creative vision to life, and deliver beautifully polished final products that stand out. If you're looking for a unique and highly effective way to market your listings and drive real results, I highly recommend Aerial Shots Media!
Juls Sanchez · Google - ★★★★★
I had an amazing experience working with Aerial Shots Media. From start to finish, everything was incredibly professional and smooth. Before I even met Alex, Ramon set us up in a group chat and invited me to send inspiration videos since I chose a package that included a social media reel, something I had never done before. That alone made me feel supported and confident going into the shoot. The photos were absolutely incredible. I used them for my Zillow Showcase listing, and I've honestly never received that many high-quality photos for a single listing before. The attention to detail was next level. Alex also went above and beyond by helping me refine my script for the social media reel. He had amazing creative ideas and really understood the style and vibe I was going for, which made the whole process fun and stress-free. I will 100% be using Aerial Shots Media again and highly recommend them to any agent or business looking to elevate their marketing.
Wynee Hessler · Google - ★★★★★
Ramon is truly top-notch when it comes to real estate photography and video!! His professionalism, creative eye, and attention to detail consistently elevate my listings and make them stand out. Every time we work together, I'm blown away, each home somehow looks better than the last! What I really appreciate is that Ramon doesn't just show up and shoot, he brings ideas, helps shape my creative vision, and even contributes to scripting and content planning! He has a way of making the whole process smooth, fun, and inspiring. His hard work and consistency speak for themselves, and I'm so thankful to have his talent and partnership behind every listing.
CarLee Marchetti · Google
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