Professional Photos and Celebration
Congratulations - you've completed your kitchen remodel! After months of planning, disruption, and hard work, you deserve to document this accomplishment properly and celebrate. Your new kitchen is a significant investment in your home and quality of life.
You Did It!
From the first day of planning to this final moment, you've navigated one of the most complex home improvement projects. You made hundreds of decisions, managed contractors, lived without a kitchen, and came out the other side with a beautiful new space. That's a real accomplishment worth celebrating.
Why Documentation Matters
Taking time to properly photograph and document your kitchen remodel serves several important purposes beyond social media bragging rights (though you've absolutely earned those):
- Resale value: Professional photos demonstrate quality for future buyers
- Insurance records: Document the value of your improvements for claims
- Future maintenance: Knowing exact materials helps with repairs and touch-ups
- Personal memory: You'll want to remember this transformation
Photography Guide
Preparing for the Shoot
Whether hiring a professional or using your smartphone, preparation is key:
- Deep clean everything: Counters, appliances, cabinet fronts, floor, sink
- Clear countertops: Remove clutter, leaving only intentional styling pieces
- Style thoughtfully: Fresh flowers, a beautiful cookbook, seasonal fruit
- Test all lights: Turn on all lighting including under-cabinet
- Clean windows: Maximize natural light
Wide Shots to Capture
- Full kitchen from the main entrance doorway
- Each wall straight-on to show cabinetry layout
- Corner-to-corner diagonal shots
- Island from multiple angles (if applicable)
- Shot into adjacent rooms showing flow (if open concept)
Detail Shots to Include
- Backsplash: Show pattern, texture, and how it meets counters
- Countertop: Edge profile, veining or pattern, seams
- Cabinet hardware: Close-up showing finish and style
- Faucet and sink: Show the whole setup
- Light fixtures: Pendants, recessed lights, under-cabinet lighting in action
- Open shelving: If styled, capture the display
- Special features: Pot filler, wine fridge, drawer organizers, etc.
Photography Tip: Shoot during the "golden hour" (early morning or late afternoon) when natural light is warm and soft. Turn on all kitchen lights for evening shots that show how the space feels at night.
Before and After Comparisons
Your before photos (hopefully you took them!) become even more valuable now. Creating side-by-side comparisons showcases the transformation:
- Match the exact same angles from your before photos
- Shoot at the same time of day for similar lighting
- Use apps or simple photo editors to create side-by-side images
- Include key feature comparisons (old faucet vs. new, etc.)
Creating Your Materials File
Future you will thank present you for documenting everything. Create a permanent file (digital and/or physical) containing:
Paint Information
- - Brand name
- - Color name and code
- - Finish (flat, eggshell, semi-gloss)
- - Where each color was used
- - Store where purchased
Cabinet Details
- - Manufacturer/brand
- - Door style name
- - Finish/stain color
- - Where purchased
- - Warranty information
Countertop Information
- - Material type (quartz, granite, etc.)
- - Brand and color name
- - Fabricator name and contact
- - Edge profile selected
- - Care instructions
Appliances
- - Brand and model numbers
- - Serial numbers
- - Purchase date and store
- - Warranty information
- - Service contact numbers
Save Extra Materials: Keep leftover tile (for repairs), extra flooring (for replacements), touch-up paint (for dings), and spare hardware (for broken pieces). Label everything and store in a consistent location.
Celebrate Your Accomplishment
You've earned this. After months of living in construction chaos, eating takeout, and making a thousand decisions, you have a beautiful new kitchen. Take time to truly enjoy it:
Host a Kitchen Reveal Party
Invite friends and family who heard about every frustrating delay and difficult decision. Let them see the result. Their reactions will remind you why it was all worth it.
Cook a Special Meal
Break in your new kitchen properly with an elaborate meal - something you've been waiting to make in your improved space. Use every burner, test the oven, marvel at how much easier prep work is now.
Take a Moment
Stand in your kitchen with a cup of coffee in the morning. Look around at what you've created. You navigated a complex project and came out successful. That's genuinely impressive.
Share and Pay It Forward
- Leave a review for contractors and suppliers who earned it
- Share your experience with friends considering a remodel
- Post on social media and home improvement communities
- Refer good contractors when friends ask for recommendations
FAQ
Should I hire a professional photographer?
If you plan to sell within a few years, professional photos ($200-500) are worth it. For personal documentation, modern smartphones produce excellent results with proper lighting and staging.
What information should I save about my kitchen materials?
Save everything: paint colors, cabinet specs, countertop material and fabricator, appliance model and serial numbers, flooring type, tile brand, hardware SKUs, and fixture brands. Keep warranties, receipts, and extra materials.
How do professional photos add value when selling?
Kitchens are the most important room for buyers. Professional photos highlight quality work and materials, get more listing views, and often help homes sell faster. Include them in a home portfolio for buyers.
What's the best way to share before and after photos?
Create side-by-side comparisons using photo apps. Share on Instagram, Pinterest, Facebook, or Reddit's r/HomeImprovement. Save high-resolution versions for future home sales.
From All of Us at Homestery
Congratulations on completing your kitchen remodel! We hope this checklist helped guide you through the process. Your new kitchen represents not just an investment in your home, but in your daily quality of life. Every meal cooked, every gathering hosted, and every morning coffee made in this space was made possible by your planning, patience, and perseverance. Enjoy every moment in your beautiful new kitchen.