Tips Airbnb Photography: What You Need to Know Before You Start

If you want to make your Airbnb listing stand out, high-quality photos are essential. Guests book with their eyes first, and great visuals can mean the difference between a fully booked calendar and a listing that gets ignored. But how do you take photos that truly showcase your space? In this blog, we’ll cover some of the key things you need to consider when photographing your Airbnb. And if you really want to master the art of vacation rental photography, our course at Rental Showcase Academy dives deep into every detail!

Declutter and Stage the Space

A messy space can be distracting, while an overly sterile space might feel uninviting. The trick is to find the right balance. Remove unnecessary clutter, but don’t strip the room of its personality. Add a cozy throw blanket, fresh flowers, or a coffee table book to make the space feel lived-in yet polished. Small details make a big difference!

Lighting Is Everything

One of the most important tips Airbnb photography experts swear by is using natural light. Artificial lighting can make spaces look too yellow or harsh, while natural light keeps things bright and inviting. Open the curtains, shoot during the day, and avoid using your ceiling lights. If some areas are too dark, consider adding extra soft lighting to balance things out.

Composition and Angles Matter

Getting the right angles can make your space look bigger, brighter, and more appealing. Shoot from the corners of a room to capture as much of the space as possible. Keep your camera at a steady, waist-level height—too high or too low can distort the perspective. If you want that professional touch, using a tripod can help keep shots stable and consistent.

Highlight What Makes Your Airbnb Unique

Does your rental have a breathtaking view, a stylish design, or a cozy reading nook? Make sure to capture those unique features. Guests aren’t just booking a place to sleep—they’re booking an experience. Showcase the little touches that set your space apart, whether it’s a charming balcony, a firepit, or a luxurious bathtub.

Edit for a Professional Look

Even the best photos can benefit from a little post-editing. Brightening up images, adjusting colors, and ensuring consistency can make a huge difference. But don’t worry, you don’t need to be an editing pro. Our tips Airbnb photography course includes presets that make editing a breeze, so you can give your photos a professional look with just a few clicks.

The Final Touches

Taking great Airbnb photos isn’t just about snapping a few pictures and hoping for the best. It’s about understanding lighting, angles, staging, and editing to create images that sell. If you want to learn all the ins and outs without spending hours figuring it out yourself, check out our full course at Rental Showcase Academy. With the right skills and tools, you’ll have a listing that attracts more guests and maximizes your bookings!

What You’ll Find in Our Course

• Everything you need to know about preparing your rental—what to do and what to avoid.
• How to get the most out of your smartphone camera. You can take stunning photos with your phone—you just need to know how!
• Understanding light—how to use it to your advantage and the pros and cons of different times of the day for photography.
• All about composition and framing—how to create interesting photos that people love to look at.
• What’s important to capture so potential guests get a clear and inviting impression of your rental.
• How to edit your photos to give them that professional, high-quality look.
• In short, everything you need to know to take the most stunning photos of your vacation rental.
• And all of this is taught by a photographer specialized in vacation rental photography, with experience photographing over 1,000+ properties!