Oak Park Engagement Photography of Sarah and Margaret

I met with Sarah and Margaret at their place and we headed to downtown Oak Park right around the corner from when they live. We went by Poor Phils, where they had one of their first dates. I had such a great time exploring the area with them and there are so many hidden gems we found along the way. After we finished there we headed out for some Chicago street art in Bucktown and Logans Square. We finished out our session at my favorite spot, South Pond in Chicago. I can't wait for your wedding this October.

Top tips on how to be ready for your real estate photography session!

      Over the past year, I have been diving into the world of real estate photography. I have been blessed to work with some wonderful agents from Keller Williams, Associates Realty, Realty Executives Legacy, TW Chicago, Berkshire Hathaway, and D'Aprile. Here are a few tips to get your home photo ready. Staging is great for real estate photos, but if you are still living in the home, you can stage it with items you might already have around the house.

Curb Appeal

 

Remove the cars from the driveway

Have the grass freshly cut and hedges trimmed and freshly weeded

Make sure planter boxes either have flowers or remove them

Family Room

 

 

 

Turn off all the ceiling fans

Open up all the window blinds and curtains so we can let the beautiful natural light in

Clear any personal photos, and everyday objects like remotes, phones, and tissues

Turn on any lights that are in the room and make sure none are burnt out, Also be sure they are the same color

Dining Room

Make sure all the floors, especially hardwood are cleaned and carpet is freshly vacuumed

Set the table and have a centerpiece, fresh flowers are always a great choice for this

Have all chairs even and pushed in neatly

Open Floor Plans

If you have an open floor plan be sure to have all the rooms tidy since we will want to photograph the whole space showcasing how open it is

Make sure you have all the lights on in all the different rooms

Don't forget to clear any clutter from all the rooms 

Kitchen

Clean off countertops

Remove any food from sitting on the counters

Remove any magnets on the fridge

Make sure there are no dishes in the sink

Plants can help add a pop of color

Remove appliances from the counter

Office

Make sure the area is not bare and decorate with some accessories

Make sure the computer screen is off

Eliminate any unnecessary cords and hide them

Make sure there is no personal clutter or papers showing

Master Bedroom

Make the bed and use those throw pillows

Remove any personal items or photos

Make sure you don't see anything stored under the bed

Clear the nightstands

Kids Rooms

Remove the Diaper Genie and trash cans from the room

Clear the diaper changing area to remove clutter

Make crib, just like you would a bed

Remove any stick on wall decals

Clear out all the toys that are on the ground and put away the foam play matts

Pets

We all love our pets but sometimes buyers will be turned off if they see that the current owner has a dog or a cat

Remove all water bowls, liter boxes, animal beds, toys, etc.

Make sure to have air fresheners in home to help combat any pet smells for showings

    Please contact me to photograph your real estate listings if you are in the north west suburbs of Algonquin, Barrington Hills, Barrington, Bull Valley, Cary, Carpentersville, Dundee Township, Elgin, Fox Lake, Fox River Grove, Gilberts, Greenwood, Hebron, Holiday Hills, Hoffman Estates, Huntley, Island Lake, Johnsburg, Lake in the Hills, Lakemoor, Lakewood, McCullom Lake, Oakwood Hills, Port Barrington, Prairie Grove, Richmond, Ringwood, Sleepy Hollow, Spring Grove, South Elgin, Trout Valley, Union, West Dundee, and Wonder Lake. When you have your properties professionally photographed they will show more and sell faster and for a higher price. That is a win-win for you and your clients!

Six Month Photo Session in Western Springs

Rachel had emailed me just a little while back after seeing photos of the adorable Cooper. She wanted to capture her adorable Leah at one of my most favorite ages to photograph, six months. At six months babies start to sit up on their own and are so expressive. We photographed around the beautiful home in Western Springs indoors and out. The natural light in their house was wonderful and their front and back yard was just made for photography. Check out some images from their session and if you have a baby close to the six month mark be sure to contact me to set up an appointment to capture all the cuteness!