On this page
Need help with this?
Contact us on WhatsApp, get a quote, or browse our Chiltern Guides for premium PDF instructions.
Quick Answer
To prepare a garden for professional property photos: mow and edge the lawn 1 to 2 days before, tidy all visible areas, clean the patio, plant a few pots for colour, open parasols and garden furniture, and choose a sunny day for the photos. Cost: 100 to 400 pounds. The photos sell the property, so the garden needs to look its best.
Why Garden Photos Matter
Professional property photos are the first thing buyers see on Rightmove and Zoopla. They determine whether a buyer clicks through to view the property. The garden photos are particularly important: they show the size, the usability, and the condition of the garden. A well-prepared garden photographs well and attracts buyers. A neglected garden photographs badly and puts buyers off.
In the Chilterns, where gardens are a major selling point, the photos are critical. A good garden photo can add thousands to the sale price. A bad garden photo can lose viewings. This guide explains how to prepare a garden for professional property photos.
The 8-Step Photo Preparation
1. Mow and Edge the Lawn (1-2 days before)
Mow the lawn 1 to 2 days before the photos, not the day of. This gives the grass time to settle and the clippings time to disperse. Mow at 30 to 40mm. Edge along paths and borders with a half-moon edger.
2. Tidy All Visible Areas
Weed the borders, deadhead flowering plants, sweep paths and patios. Remove all rubbish and clutter. The visible areas (patio, lawn, borders near the house) should look immaculate.
3. Clean the Patio
Sweep the patio, then pressure wash if needed. A clean patio looks bigger and more inviting in photos. See our pressure washing service.
4. Plant Pots for Colour
Place a few pots of seasonal colour by the doors and on the patio. This adds life and colour to the photos. Avoid too many pots, which look cluttered.
5. Set Up Garden Furniture
Set up garden furniture: table and chairs on the patio, parasol up if sunny. This helps buyers imagine using the garden. Arrange the furniture as if for a meal.
6. Hide Wheelie Bins and Clutter
Move wheelie bins, children's toys, garden tools, and empty pots out of sight. A clutter-free garden photographs better.
7. Choose the Right Day
Choose a sunny day for the photos. Sun makes the garden look bright and inviting. Avoid overcast days if possible. If the photos must be taken on an overcast day, ask the photographer to use editing to brighten the images.
8. Time of Day
The best time for garden photos is mid-morning (10 to 11 am) or mid-afternoon (3 to 4 pm), when the sun is at a good angle. Avoid midday, when the sun is overhead and creates harsh shadows.
Popular articles
The Photo Preparation Timeline
| When | Job |
|---|---|
| 1 week before | Weed borders, prune overgrowth, clean patio |
| 2 days before | Mow and edge the lawn |
| 1 day before | Set up furniture, plant pots, hide clutter |
| Day of photos | Final tidy, open parasol, check everything |
What Photographers Look For
- Clean, tidy garden: the garden should look cared for
- Defined zones: patio, lawn, borders
- Garden furniture: helps buyers imagine using the garden
- Colour: pots of flowers, flowering shrubs
- Light: sun in the garden, especially on the patio
- Space: the garden should look bigger than it is
Popular articles
Cost of Preparing for Photos
| Job | Cost |
|---|---|
| Mow and edge | 0 (DIY) to 50-100 pounds |
| Weed and tidy | 0 (DIY) to 100-200 pounds |
| Pressure wash patio | 150-300 pounds |
| Pots and plants | 30-100 pounds |
| Total | 180-700 pounds |
Common Mistakes
- Mowing on the day of the photos. Clippings get everywhere. Mow 1 to 2 days before.
- Not cleaning the patio. A dirty patio looks bad in photos. Sweep and pressure wash.
- Not setting up furniture. Empty patios look uninviting. Set up table and chairs.
- Leaving clutter in view. Wheelie bins, toys, and tools ruin the photos. Hide them.
- Taking photos on an overcast day. Sun makes the garden look better. Wait for a sunny day if possible.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the best time for garden photos?
Mid-morning (10 to 11 am) or mid-afternoon (3 to 4 pm) on a sunny day. Avoid midday (harsh shadows) and overcast days (flat light).
Should I mow on the day of the photos?
No. Mow 1 to 2 days before. This gives the grass time to settle and the clippings time to disperse.
What should I do if the photos are on an overcast day?
Make sure the garden is extra tidy, as the light will be flat. Ask the photographer to use editing to brighten the images. If possible, reschedule for a sunny day.
Get Help Preparing for Photos
If you are selling a property in Oxfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Berkshire or Bedfordshire and want help preparing the garden for photos, send us a WhatsApp with photos and we will aim to respond within 12 to 36 hours, Monday to Sunday.
Further Reading
- Front garden tidy-up checklist
- Garden jobs that add kerb appeal
- How much to spend on the garden before selling
In mature and established gardens, always assess the existing ecosystem before making changes. Small adjustments to timing and technique can preserve decades of growth and wildlife value.
Put this advice into practice
Use the relevant CGM tool or follow a related guide, then send us a few photos if you would like a tailored plan.
Sources and citations
This article draws on the following sources. Specific claims are cited inline where relevant.
- CGM field records (2024-11. Site observations from gardens across Oxfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Berkshire and Bedfordshire.
- Royal Horticultural Society (2024). RHS Gardening Advice and Plant Finder. Available at rhs.org.uk.
- Met Office (2024). Regional climate averages, South East England. Available at metoffice.gov.uk.
- British Geological Survey (2024). Soil parent material data for the Chilterns and Thames Valley. Available at bgs.ac.uk.