Boost Your Bookings: The Ultimate Guide to Organising Your Airbnb Photos!
For property owners involved in Airbnb management or short-term rental management, one of the most critical aspects of your listing is the quality of your photos. Professionally taken photos can instantly set your property apart from the competition, as long as your property is clean, clutter-free, and well-presented.
What to Avoid in Your Airbnb Photos
When managing an Airbnb, certain types of photos can quickly turn potential guests away. Here’s a list of common mistakes to avoid:
- Irrelevant hero shots: Don’t use photos of local attractions, wildlife, or close-ups of amenities as your main image.
- Fuzzy or low-resolution photos: Blurry images make your listing look unprofessional.
- Dark photos: Avoid taking photos with curtains or blinds closed, as dark rooms can appear uninviting.
- Messy rooms: Clutter, unmade beds, and disorganised spaces should never be shown in your listing.
- Artistic angles: Keep photos straightforward. Artistic angles can confuse guests about the space.
- Stretched photos: Ensure photos are taken in the correct aspect ratio. Avoid stretching portrait photos to landscape or using panoramic mode on a mobile phone.
Be cautious of relying on friends with fancy cameras who aren’t professional photographers. Professional real estate photography makes a significant difference in how your property is perceived.
What to Aim for in Your Airbnb Photos
Here’s what you should prioritise when managing your Airbnb photos:
- Hire a professional photographer experienced in real estate photography: Ask for prior samples and references to ensure quality.
- High-quality, enhanced photos: The photographer should be able to enhance the photos to showcase your property in the best light.
- Comprehensive coverage: Ensure photos include both the interior and exterior of the property and that every room is photographed.
- Minimum of 20 photos, maximum of 30: This range provides a thorough look at your property without overwhelming potential guests.
- High-resolution images: Photos should be at least 1MB and no more than 20MB to ensure clarity without slowing down the page load time.
- Good lighting: Photos should be taken on a clear day with natural light. Exterior shots should be taken when the front of the house is in sunlight.
- Timing matters: Take photos at a time of day when the property looks its best. Dusk shots with lights on can create a warm, inviting atmosphere. Use a tripod for stability and take your time to get the perfect shot.
- Location shots: Include 2-3 photos that highlight the area surrounding your property, especially if it has notable attractions.
If you are in any doubt as to the impact that professional photography can have, look at the photos of the following property Before (iPhone) and After (professional photography).
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Enhancing Your Listing with Captions and Tags
Platforms like Airbnb and Booking.com allow you to link individual photos to specific rooms, adding clarity for guests. For instance, you can link a photo of a bunk bed room to the description “Bedroom 1 – Bunk Bed Room.” This feature is particularly useful for short-term rental management, helping to set clear expectations for guests.
Another way to enhance your listing is by adding captions to each photo. Instead of a simple label like “Bunk Bed Room,” use captions to highlight the experience: “Two bunk beds that offer comfort for both adults and kids.”
Drone Photography: Showcasing Your Property’s Location
If your property is near a major attraction—such as a beach, bay, mountains, or a tourist hotspot—consider investing in drone photography. Drone shots can visually showcase your property’s proximity to these attractions, giving guests a sense of place. For properties on large parcels of land, drone photography is also effective for capturing scale in a way standard photos cannot. Some drone operators can also provide video footage, adding a dramatic touch to your listing.
Photo Order: A Key Component of Airbnb Management
The order in which your photos are displayed is just as important as the photos themselves. If the first few images don’t catch a guest’s attention, they may navigate away from your listing. Here’s a recommended order for presenting your photos:
- Hero Shot: Your hero shot is the most critical image, as it’s the first photo potential guests see. Choose the most attractive photo with the ‘wow factor’ to make guests want to explore more. This could be a stunning view, a unique feature like a pool or fireplace, or an inviting outdoor space. Adjust your hero shot for different seasons (e.g., a cozy fireplace in winter or outdoor dining in summer).
- Photos Two to Six – Best of the Rest: The next set of photos should highlight key areas:
- Living area
- Outdoor entertaining area/pool
- Dining area
- A standout bedroom
- Kitchen
- Remaining Photos: After covering the main areas, include photos of:
- Additional living spaces
- Other bedrooms
- Bathrooms
- Laundry room
- Gardens and grounds
- Property exterior
- Be mindful of duplicate photos of the same room. If a photo doesn’t add value, it’s best to leave it out. Add a few location shots to provide context for the property’s setting.
Avoid Misleading Photos
Be careful about what you display in your photos. For example, showing gourmet platters or buckets of beer in photos can create false expectations if these items aren’t provided. Only include images of items that are actually available to guests, as you may find it challenging to stop offering them once mentioned in reviews.
Floor Plans: Setting Expectations
Floor plans are a valuable addition to your listing, helping guests understand the layout of your property. Professional photographers often provide floor plan services, which should include a detailed layout of the entire property, including gardens if applicable. The floor plan should show doors, windows, and key fixtures like kitchen benches, tables, chairs, wardrobes, and beds.
Consider using a 3D-style floor plan with detailed attention to layout, rather than a simple black-and-white real estate-style plan. Modern floor plans can provide a more engaging visual experience for potential guests.
Conclusion
In the competitive world of Airbnb management and short-term rental management, the quality of your photos can make or break your listing’s success. Investing in professional photography, using drone shots to highlight your property’s unique location, and carefully curating the order of your images can significantly enhance your appeal to potential guests. By showcasing your property in the best possible light—literally and figuratively—you not only attract more bookings but also set clear expectations, leading to higher guest satisfaction and better reviews. In the end, well-executed photos are a powerful tool in maximising your property’s visibility and profitability.
