Pets and Real Estate Photography: How to Prepare for Your Listing Shoot

We love animals. Seriously.

We have two dogs of our own, and we completely understand why homeowners believe their pets will be perfectly fine during a real estate photography appointment.

Unfortunately, we've also been bitten by “nice” pets more times than we'd like to admit.

That's why we recommend that pets are removed from the property whenever possible during a real estate photography shoot. It isn't because we don't like animals. It's about keeping our photographers, your pets, and everyone involved safe while allowing us to properly photograph the home.

Your Photographer Is a Stranger in Your Pet's Home

Think about the situation from your pet's perspective.

A stranger they've never met walks into their home carrying a camera, tripod, bags, scanning equipment, and other gear they've probably never seen before. Then that stranger begins walking into every room of their house, moving equipment around and making repeated trips throughout the property.

Even the friendliest pet can become uncomfortable.

A dog or other animal that has never shown aggression may react differently when someone unfamiliar enters its space. Stress, fear, excitement, or the instinct to protect its home and owner can cause a pet to behave in a way the homeowner has never seen before.

We've experienced this firsthand, which is why we take it seriously.

Can I Just Put My Pet in the Garage?

The garage may seem like an easy solution, but unfortunately, it doesn't always work.

Our real estate photography packages include a floor plan, and creating an accurate floor plan requires us to complete one consecutive scan throughout the property.

That means we may need access to the garage during the scan.

If a dog has been placed in the garage, we're suddenly faced with a problem: we either can't properly complete that portion of the property or we have to enter an enclosed space with an animal that may already be stressed by our presence.

We've been bitten in situations like this before, so we don't want to put our photographers—or your pet—in that position.

What's the Best Thing to Do With Pets During Real Estate Photography?

Whenever possible, we recommend taking pets completely off the property during the photography appointment.

A walk, trip to the park, visit with a friend or family member, doggy daycare, or even a quick car ride can make the experience easier for everyone.

Most of our real estate photography shoots take approximately 45 minutes when the property is ready when we arrive, so pets typically don't need to be away for an extended period.

Removing them from the home also means we can move efficiently from room to room without worrying about accidentally letting an animal outside or needing to work around closed-off areas.

What About Cats?

Cats are a little different, especially indoor cats that can't easily leave the property.

If a cat will remain home during the shoot, please let us know ahead of time—particularly if there are doors that cannot be opened or areas where the cat needs to remain contained.

Our photographers move throughout the entire property, so knowing where an animal is located helps us avoid accidentally letting an indoor pet outside.

It's About Keeping Everyone Safe

We understand that your pet may be incredibly friendly. Most of the animals we meet are.

But we're still strangers entering their home with unfamiliar equipment.

Our recommendation isn't a judgment about your pet's temperament. It's simply based on our experience photographing homes and encountering situations where otherwise friendly animals became nervous or protective.

The safest and easiest option is to have pets away from the property while we're working.

That allows your pet to stay comfortable, our photographers to work safely, and our team to focus on what we're there to do: creating professional real estate photography and media that helps your property look its best.

Getting Your Home Ready for a Minion Works Shoot

Preparing your home before your appointment helps us work efficiently and get the best results possible. In addition to making arrangements for pets, we recommend having vehicles out of the driveway, blinds raised, lights turned on, personal items put away, and countertops cleared before we arrive.

At Minion Works, our real estate photography packages include professional listing photos, drone photography, and a floor plan, with additional real estate media services available for properties throughout Reno, Sparks, Lake Tahoe, and the surrounding Northern Nevada and Northern California areas.