Your Airbnb listing photos are one of the most important elements for success when hosting on Airbnb. Potential guests will decide whether or not to book your rental based on the photos they see in your listing. That’s why having stunning, high-quality Airbnb photography is essential if you want your vacation rental property to stand out from the competition and attract more bookings.
In this guide, you’ll learn Airbnb photo tips from professional photographers on how to take photos that highlight your space to attract guests. We’ll cover choosing the right photography equipment, using natural lighting, staging and styling your rental with captions, composing listing photos artfully, and editing to perfection.
Follow these five easy steps to take your Airbnb listing photos from mediocre snapshots to gorgeous, professional-level 10 Airbnb images that will have guests clamoring to stay at your Airbnb rental and make your listing stand out.
Step 1: Choose the Right Photography Equipment
Having the proper camera and accessories makes a huge difference in Airbnb photography. While you can take decent vacation rental photos with your smartphone, investing in key gear will allow you to produce truly stellar, magazine-worthy images.
Here is the photography equipment the pros recommend having on hand for an Airbnb photo shoot:
- DSLR Camera: A digital SLR camera that allows you to control settings like aperture, shutter speed, and ISO will provide far better image quality than your phone. Go for a mid-range model that suits your budget.
- Wide Angle Lens: Using a wide-angle lens allows you to fit more of your photos of your Airbnb rental property into each shot. This gives potential guests a better sense of the space and layout.
- Remote Shutter Release: To avoid blurry photos due to camera shake, use a remote release cable or wireless remote to trigger the camera’s shutter.
- Tripod: For super sharp, professional photos, always mount your camera on a sturdy tripod. This keeps the camera completely still while shooting.
- Flash or Reflectors: Supplement natural light with an external flash or reflectors to brighten darker corners or shadows.
Having the right Airbnb photography gear makes capturing beautiful photos for your listing much easier. While an Airbnb professional photographer will have even more specialized equipment, this basic setup is enough to take stunning DIY Airbnb photos.
Step 2: Use Natural Light and Styling to Showcase Your Rental
Nothing beats the soft, golden glow of natural sunlight streaming into an Airbnb rental. That’s why the pros recommend taking all your Airbnb listing photos during the “golden hours” of sunrise or sunset when the light is warmest.
Here are some tips to take Airbnb photography for using natural light effectively:
- Open all curtains and blinds – let as much natural light into the space as possible. Even on cloudy days, outdoor lighting is better than indoor lighting.
- Turn on all lamps and overhead lights to accurately combat shadows and show the space.
- Shoot on a sunny day at sunrise or sunset for that Magazine-style lighting. The low golden sunlight casts a gorgeous glow over your vacation rental.
- Use reflectors and external flashes strategically to brighten up darker areas as needed.
- In addition to lighting, take some time to style your rental space. Making the bed with fresh linens, laying out plush towels, putting out flowers or decor items, and tidying up help showcase your Airbnb beautifully.
You want every area to look its best for the perfect Airbnb photos. A touch of staging goes a long way toward making spaces appear warm, welcoming, and irresistible to potential guests browsing listings. Be sure to take your Airbnb photos during the golden hour and edit your photos later for a polished look that will help guests visualize staying at your gorgeous vacation rental property.
Step 3: Compose Shots Thoughtfully
Airbnb recommends having at least 20-30 high-quality photos in your listing to give guests an accurate impression of your property. But simply snapping shots randomly around your rental won’t cut it.
Professional Airbnb photographers know that artful composition is key for visually stunning images. Follow these Airbnb photography tips when framing up your shots:
- Capture different angles and perspectives to highlight important features and amenities
- Shoot wide room views as well as attractive close-up details
- Use the rule of thirds for balanced, interesting compositions
- Keep the camera level with the horizon for professional results
- Play with symmetry and leading lines that draw the eye through the image
- In addition to shooting every room, get creative with detail shots. Photographing vignettes styled around lamps, decorative accents, amenity baskets, and table settings brings spaces to life.
Taking the time to intentionally compose each vacation rental photo with care pays off with listing images that truly impress.
Step 4: Perfect Your Photos with Editing
Post-processing is the final step for giving your DIY Airbnb pics an elevated, polished look that will stand out from the competition. Even professional photographers edit every photo that you upload to perfect them.
Luckily, basic edits like cropping, color correction, and brightness/contrast adjustment go a long way. Use free photo editing apps on your mobile device to:
- Straighten crooked horizons
- Crop out clutter or unwanted details.
- Fix under/over-exposed images.
- Enhance overall brightness and contrast.
Take the photos during the “golden hour” for beautiful lighting. Then, spend 5-10 minutes tweaking your best Airbnb rental property shots to make average snapshots look phenomenal.
Some key photo tips for Airbnb hosts:
- Make sure your photos accurately showcase the rental property
- Select the best photos to include – don’t upload blurry pics
- Use editing to create many photos with a bright, vibrant style
- Crop images artfully to highlight photos of your listing spaces
Advanced software like Lightroom or Photoshop can take your Airbnb photography even further with pro techniques for high-quality photos and a polished photo tour of your gorgeous Airbnb rental.
Step 5: Use Your Allowed Photo Limit
As an Airbnb host, you can upload up to 100 photos to showcase every stunning detail of your vacation rental property. Take full advantage of this limit to provide potential guests with an abundant visual tour highlighting all amenities and features.
When taking photos, be sure to capture great photos from multiple angles. For example, take great photos of the spacious living room from the entryway, corners, windows, and doorway to showcase the true size. Use a wide-angle lens to fit more into each quality shot as well.
Getting professional Airbnb photography is one key way to make your new listing stand out. Invest time thoroughly staging each room and taking great, detailed photos rather than just quick snapshots. The more high-quality images you provide that potential renters can visually fall in love with, the higher your booking rates will be.
Step 6: Work with a Pro Airbnb Photographer
Want to truly take your listing photos to the next level? Consider booking a specialized Airbnb photographer to capture magazine-worthy shots of your gorgeous getaway rental or vacation home.
A talented professional photographer or experienced rental photographer has the expertise and equipment to expertly photograph the features and layout of your space. They will set up perfect lighting, compose beautifully framed shots, and edit images for an elevated look beyond iPhone snapshots.
Paying for pro photography is well worth the rental business expense. Stunning, artistic, high-quality photos drive more lucrative bookings by capturing potential guests’ attention and imagination. Photos are the first thing vacationers see, so make sure your vacation rental images are irresistible!
Step 7: Utilize Golden Hour Lighting
To take full advantage of warm, glowing natural light, strategically plan your complete Airbnb photo shoot during the prime “golden hour” hours around sunrise or sunset when shadows are softened.
The sun’s low angle streaming into the windows creates gorgeous indoor illumination. Dramatic rays of light enhance interior shots. You also want to portray what guests see right away when they open your listing, as the first few photos are the first thing visitors see, making a vital impression. Showcase your rooms in the best professional style possible, with beautiful light and composition, to wow potential guests.
Conclusion: How to Take Airbnb Photos Brief
Following these five simple steps for improving your Airbnb photography will help your vacation rental stand out on Airbnb. Investing in a professional camera and equipment allows you to harness the best light and take the perfect photos to showcase your rental business. Carefully compose each shot and use photos that make your home look great. Remember these tips for taking Airbnb pics:
- Use the one photo you select as the cover image to catch guests’ eyes
- Airbnb recommends having 20+ high-quality interior and exterior photos to use throughout the rest of your photos.
- Professionally edit every photo that you upload for a polished look.
With this guide’s tips, you’ll go from taking snapshots on your phone to gorgeous pro-level images guaranteed to attract more guests. So grab your professional camera, style your spectacular Airbnb home, open the curtains, and start capturing the best Airbnb photos today!
Frequently Asked Questions: How to Take Airbnb Photos Brief
Q: How many photos for your Airbnb listing should I have?
A: Airbnb recommends having at least 20-30 photos in your listing to adequately showcase your rental space to potential guests. Include overall room shots along with detailed images.
Q: What’s the best way to make rooms look good in photos?
A: Open curtains to let in natural daylight, make the bed neatly with fresh linens, style vignettes, and organize clutter. Use styling to make your space look its best.
Q: What angles and perspectives should I use?
A: Capture wide room views and closer detail shots. Shoot spaces from multiple angles – for example, photograph the living room from opposite corners. This allows guests to get a sense of the entire area and layout.
Q: How do I get those professional-looking images?
A: Invest in decent camera equipment and use professional photography techniques like natural lighting and tripods for sharpness. Consider hiring a professional photographer who can expertly capture stellar listing photos.
Q: Which photo should be the cover photo?
A: Select an attractive, eye-catching exterior image that makes a great first impression as your listing’s main cover photo.
Q: What tips should you keep in mind when editing images?
A: Do basic editing improvements like cropping, color correction, straightening, and brightness/contrast adjustments. Edit photos to perfection before uploading for rental property photography.
Q: How can I improve my DIY photography skills?
A: Study online photography and image editing tutorials. Practice taking photos and learn which shots and angles help you take flattering, gorgeous shots to showcase listings. Consider booking an Airbnb photography session with a seasoned host photographer for hands-on learning.
