The Best Way To to Photograph Your Airbnb
BY MIKEL HUBBARD
FORMER HGTV PRODUCER | CO-FOUNDER, THE HOST CO |
OWNER, TIMES EIGHT PROPERTY & DESIGN
Photography is THE most important part of any Airbnb listing. Remember, people are buying the photos so we recommend taking your time and getting it right. If you can afford to hire a photographer, do it.
If you can’t or would rather not, here are some basic tips to getting that magazine worthy look.
Don’t you just feel cozy waking up and having a coffee here?USE NATURAL LIGHT
Natural light will look the most inviting, so plan your shoot during the day and NEVER use a flash. Study your room ahead of time to see when the light looks best and most even. You can turn on a couple lamps if they truly look good, but for the most part, avoid using anything but the sun to light the room. Too dark in natural light? That’s ok! That’s what photo editing is for! See below for recommendations.
I can definitely tell what this house looks like.USE WIDE SHOTS
Try to shoot each room as wide as you can. Want to show some closeup details too? Sure! Just make sure the wides are there. If people can’t tell what your space looks like, they’ll book somewhere they’re certain of what they’re getting. That close up of a stack of books on an end table looks super cool, but it says nothing about your space. Remember: people are buying off the photos so if you don’t show them what they’re purchasing, they’ll buy something else.
STYLE THE ROOMS
Think like a magazine photoshoot stylist. It doesn’t matter if your home won’t look EXACTLY like that when they arrive, but that’s ok. You’re selling a lifestyle. Could they throw a dinner party that looks like the picture above? Sure! More importantly, it makes the room look inviting. Throw a blanket on the couch with a steaming cup of coffee on the coffee table or have croquet set up in the yard. You want to sell an experience and make these photos look like your guests want to feel when they’re on vacation.
More and more, hosts are even using people in photos to show how relaxing it would be to take a bubble bath or sit by a campfire with your significant other or to giggle around a dinner table. May seem over the top, but it works if you help people put themselves in the Airbnb. They’re buying the vacation they WANT to have as much as they’re buying wifi and comfy beds.
Make it looks crisp and fresh.EDIT YOUR PHOTOS
You don’t have to be a genius to edit photos. You can often work in Google Photos, your photos app, Snapseed or Instagram to edit photos simply and for free to get the best look. Usually, turning up the sharpness and brightness will give it that most crisp, bright aesthetic that Airbnb-ers are looking for. A lot of apps like VSCO and A Color Story have pre-made filters you can buy to get the look of famous Instagrammers’ photos through their personlized filters they use everyday!
Uh, yeah I want to stay in this movie set.DRONE ZONE
Got a friend with a drone? Get them to photograph your property from above. Showing the property on high is a great way of making your place an epic standout and allow guests to see what an amazing spot you’re in! Ok, so it’s not a one size fits all thing, but if your place is in a great spot with incredible views, drones can showcase that in a way nothing else can.
What do you do to get the best photos? No seriously, help us out. Help everyone out by sharing your tips in the comments!