What To Expect When Using Your Home as a Shoot Location

Opening up your home for photo shoots or filming can be a rewarding experience. Whether it’s a fashion campaign, product shoot, or a full production, many property owners enjoy being part of the creative process and seeing their space used in a new way. That said, knowing what to expect can make the experience smoother and more enjoyable from start to finish.

Getting Ready for the Shoot

Before the team arrives, your home should be clean, tidy and ready to be photographed. The presentation should closely match the images used on your location listing. If items have been moved or restyled since your photos were taken, it is worth considering whether to restore the original layout or let us know about the changes in advance.

It is also a good idea to remove anything of significant personal or sentimental value. While crews are careful, accidents can happen, so placing fragile or irreplaceable items in a separate room helps give peace of mind.

Make sure basic things are in working order. That includes heating, lighting, water and Wi-Fi. If you have a parking arrangement or permit in place, please have it ready for the team’s arrival.

Meeting the Team

On the day of the shoot, please be at home when the crew arrives. This gives you the chance to welcome them in, show them around and hand over any information they need. This may include Wi-Fi access, the alarm code, or instructions for operating heating or appliances.

Although this information is usually included in the location guide we share with the client in advance, it is helpful to point out any key details during a brief handover at the start of the day.

What Happens During the Day

Shoot days can be fast-paced. Crews work to tight schedules, often arriving early with large amounts of kit and props. It can feel busy, and sometimes a little chaotic, but most production teams are very experienced and know precisely how to manage a property respectfully.

Furniture and objects may be rearranged to achieve the right angle or enhance the flow. These are always handled with care, and most teams follow the unwritten rule to lift, not drag. If anything is especially delicate or heavy, feel free to mention it during the walkaround.

Once the team is set up, it is usually best to let them work independently. This helps things run efficiently and gives the crew space to work. Many location owners head out for the day, returning in time for the agreed-upon wrap-up.

Multiple Day Bookings

For shoots booked over more than one day, the crew may ask to leave equipment or props in place overnight. This should be agreed in advance and can often be managed by designating one or two areas for storage. You will need access to your kitchen and a suitable seating area, so we always encourage balancing your needs with the production’s requirements.

Respecting Your Space

Clients who book through The Location Guys are well-versed in using private homes as shoot locations. We always ask for care and consideration when working in someone’s home, and this expectation is taken seriously.

Even so, we recommend removing anything that feels irreplaceable and being realistic about general wear and tear. Shoots can involve a lot of movement, and while damage is rare, the occasional scuff or mark can happen.

If something is damaged, clients are expected to rectify it. The most effective way to handle this is to flag any issues during the final walkaround.

End of Day Checks

At the end of the shoot, we ask that the homeowner return to the property to walk through the space with the client. This is your opportunity to make sure everything has been returned to its original place and check for any issues.

If you do notice anything out of place or damaged, this is the time to speak up. Once the crew has packed up and left, it is often not practical for them to return, so raising concerns in person gives us the best chance of resolving them quickly.

Overtime and Wrap-Up

Most clients finish on time; however, if the shoot runs beyond the scheduled end, they may incur overtime. A 15- to 20-minute grace period is generally acceptable. After that, overtime fees apply as per the booking agreement.

If you believe the client has gone into overtime, please let them know politely and make a note of the time and the name of the last person to leave. Our team can support you in following up if needed.

Support from The Location Guys

The Location Guys understand that offering your home as a shoot location is a big decision. That is why we stay involved throughout the process. From managing bookings to providing support on the day, we are here to help. If anything feels unclear or you would like further guidance, our team is always happy to discuss it further.

We work hard to make the process straightforward, respectful and professional for everyone involved. Many of our location owners go on to host multiple bookings, enjoying the opportunity to support creative projects while earning additional income.

If you are considering using your home as a shoot location or already have a space listed with us, we hope this provides a clear picture of what to expect. And if you ever have a question, please don’t hesitate to give us a call.