5 Mistakes That Hurt Your Listing Photos

You hired a professional photographer, scheduled the shoot, and your Hampton Roads or Virginia Beach listing is almost ready to go live. But even with the best camera and lighting, a few common mistakes can make your photos fall flat. Here's what to watch for — and how to fix it before the shoot.

1. Leaving the Lights Off

It sounds simple, but it happens constantly. Dark rooms look small, cold, and uninviting in photos. Even if there's plenty of natural light, turning on every light in the house — overhead fixtures, lamps, under-cabinet lighting — adds warmth and depth to each shot.

Fix: Walk through every room before the photographer arrives and flip every switch. Replace any burned-out bulbs ahead of time.

2. Forgetting the Countertops

Kitchens and bathrooms sell homes. But when countertops are covered with appliances, soap bottles, cutting boards, and mail, the camera sees clutter — not clean, usable space.

Fix: Clear every countertop completely. In the kitchen, leave one or two simple items at most. In bathrooms, remove everything and aim for a hotel-like look.

3. Leaving Cars in the Driveway

A car parked in front of the house blocks the exterior shot and makes the property feel smaller. Two cars in the driveway? Even worse.

Fix: Move all vehicles to a neighbor's driveway or down the street before the shoot. The same goes for trash cans, bikes, and garden hoses — anything that distracts from the home itself.

4. Skipping the Exterior

Agents and sellers often focus on interiors and forget that the first photo a buyer sees is the front of the house. Overgrown grass, dead plants, a cluttered porch, or a dirty driveway hurt that crucial first impression.

Fix: Mow, trim, sweep, and declutter the yard and entryway at least a day before the shoot. If the landscaping looks thin, a bag of fresh mulch can make a noticeable difference.

5. Too Much Personal Stuff

Family photos, kids' drawings on the fridge, a collection of figurines on every shelf — these things make a house feel like someone else's home. Buyers need to imagine their own life in the space, and personal items get in the way.

Fix: Pack away family photos, fridge magnets, and most decorative items. Keep it simple: a few neutral pieces, clean surfaces, and open space.

The Bottom Line

None of these fixes take more than an hour or two, but they make a real difference in how your listing looks online. In a competitive market like Hampton Roads and Virginia Beach, strong photos help your property get more clicks, more showings, and a faster sale.

Need help with your next listing? Book a shoot or see examples of our work.