REAL ESTATE CHECKLIST

PVME Training Division — quick reference

Use this for: PVME residential listings — interior MLS coverage plus optional twilight exterior. Standard delivery is 25–35 finals within 24 hours.

Pre-arrival

  1. Confirm address + access (lockbox code, agent meeting, owner present) the night before.
  2. Check sunset time + weather. Twilight shoots start 20 minutes after sunset; reschedule if rain forecast over 40%.
  3. Pack bag: Sony A7RV, 16-35 GM, 24-70 GM, 70-200 (exterior compression), Manfrotto 055 tripod with leveling head, Profoto A2 + dome, two speedlights for window pulls, color meter.
  4. Charge all batteries night before, format cards in-camera that morning.
  5. Print or save the floor plan + shot count target (typically 3–4 frames per primary room, 1–2 per secondary).

At property — arrival walkthrough

  1. Greet agent / owner, confirm any rooms off-limits or pets to move.
  2. Walk the entire property once with phone camera — note hero angles, problem lights, mirrors that reflect you.
  3. Open every blind and curtain fully. Turn ON every interior light, every lamp. Replace bulbs you brought spares for.
  4. Turn OFF ceiling fans (visible blur).
  5. Remove visible clutter: dish towels, soap bottles, throw blankets, dog bowls. Agent's call on anything personal.
  6. Straighten rugs, fluff pillows, square chairs to tables, close toilet lids.
  7. Confirm thermostat is comfortable — you'll be there 60–90 min.
  8. Set up tripod at body height — 5'0" lens height for living areas, 4'6" for bathrooms.
  9. Body settings: Manual mode, ISO 100, f/8, shutter floats 1/4 – 1s on ambient, 2-second timer, electronic front-curtain shutter, AF-S single point.
  10. Lens at 20–24mm for living rooms, 16–18mm for tight bathrooms, 24–28mm for bedrooms. Never wider than 16mm — distortion ruins the listing.

Interior workflow (per room)

  1. Square the camera to the dominant wall — bubble level on hot shoe + horizon level in EVF. Both axes locked.
  2. Shoot from corner where you can see the most square footage — never shoot toward a corner unless it's a feature.
  3. Capture 3-frame bracket (–2, 0, +2 EV) for HDR option, plus one ambient hero frame at correct exposure for ceiling.
  4. Window pulls: shoot a flash-lit ambient base, then add a -2 stop frame exposed for the window view. Composite in post.
  5. Move tripod to second hero angle in same room (typically 90° rotation). Repeat bracket.
  6. Capture one detail shot per room: fireplace, built-in, view through window, fixture.
  7. Check mirrors — verify you, the tripod, and the flash are not visible. Reposition or clone in post.
  8. Move to next room — reset blinds + lights left ON behind you so adjacent doorway views look lived-in.

Twilight exterior

  1. Start scouting hero angle 30 minutes before sunset — typically 3/4 front of house, both stories visible, no neighbor driveway clutter.
  2. Turn ON every interior + exterior light. Sweep the yard for hose reels, toys, trash bins.
  3. Tripod planted, level, weighted with sandbag. 24mm or 35mm depending on house size + setback.
  4. Begin shooting 15 minutes after sunset when sky is deep cobalt but not black. Window glow should read warm against blue sky.
  5. Settings: ISO 100, f/11, shutter 2s–8s as ambient drops, WB locked 5000K, 2-second timer, mirror-equivalent (silent shutter).
  6. Shoot a bracket every 2 minutes — the "blue hour" window is real and short. Don't recompose mid-window.
  7. Capture 2–3 secondary angles before the sky goes fully black (driveway approach, side elevation, backyard if pool).
  8. Pack out after final usable frame — never leave gear during true blue hour because you can't see it.