How to Capture Airbnb Photos That Increase Bookings
In the world of Airbnb, first impressions matter. Stunning, professional-quality photos can make your listing stand out, attract more guests, and boost your bookings. Great Airbnb photography isn’t just about documenting a space—it’s about telling a story, showcasing your property’s personality, and helping potential guests imagine themselves there. In this post, we’ll explore how to capture Airbnb photos that create a lasting impact and drive results.
1. Start by Staging Your Space for Maximum Appeal
Before you even pick up the camera, it’s crucial to stage your space. Staging allows you to highlight your property’s best features and present it in the most inviting way possible.
Declutter and Clean: A clean, clutter-free space feels larger, more inviting, and more luxurious. Remove personal items like toiletries, paperwork, and excessive decor to create a neutral, welcoming look.
Add Lifestyle Elements: Simple touches like fresh flowers, a neatly folded blanket, or a bowl of fresh fruit can add warmth and personality to your photos. These small details help guests imagine themselves enjoying the space.
Pro Tip: Think about your target audience. If your property attracts couples, set up a cozy breakfast nook. For family-friendly listings, consider showing kid-friendly spaces or board games.
Example: A Sunshine Coast property with a coastal vibe added touches like seashells, nautical decor, and a beach bag by the door to reinforce the experience of a seaside getaway.
2. Make the Most of Natural Light
Lighting is one of the most important aspects of photography. Well-lit spaces appear larger, more inviting, and more vibrant.
Shoot During the Day: Capture your photos in the late morning or early afternoon when natural light is at its best. Open all blinds and curtains to let the light flood in, creating bright, airy spaces.
Avoid Harsh Shadows: If the sun is too bright, soften the light with sheer curtains or wait for overcast conditions. Diffused light creates even exposure and eliminates harsh shadows.
Exterior Shots at Golden Hour: For outdoor spaces, shoot during golden hour (shortly after sunrise or before sunset) for warm, flattering light that enhances colors and textures.
Case Study: A Sunshine Coast Airbnb with a garden patio used golden hour to highlight the outdoor seating area, capturing the inviting glow of the setting sun. This shot became the listing’s hero image and attracted more clicks.
3. Focus on Wide-Angle Shots to Showcase the Space
Wide-angle shots are essential for capturing the full scope of a room. They make spaces look more open and help guests understand the layout.
Invest in the Right Lens: Use a wide-angle lens (16-24mm) to capture entire rooms without distortion. This is particularly useful for living areas, bedrooms, and kitchens.
Highlight Room Flow: Show how rooms connect to each other, such as a living area opening into a dining room or a kitchen with a view of the backyard. This helps guests visualize the space.
Tip: Avoid making the room look artificially large. Keep your angles realistic to ensure guests’ expectations align with reality when they arrive.
4. Highlight Key Features and Amenities
Guests choose properties based on what makes them unique, so it’s essential to highlight the features and amenities that set yours apart.
Capture Signature Spaces: If your property has a pool, a fireplace, or a stunning view, make these features the focal point of your listing. Use a variety of shots to showcase these areas from different angles.
Don’t Forget the Details: Highlight amenities like a coffee station, luxury bedding, or a stocked bar cart. These small touches can make your listing stand out from the competition.
Example: An Airbnb near Noosa used close-up shots of its coffee machine, featuring fresh beans and a steaming cup of coffee, to emphasize its focus on guest comfort.
5. Incorporate Lifestyle Photography
Lifestyle photography goes beyond documenting a space—it shows how the space can be used. These photos evoke emotion and help guests imagine themselves there.
Set the Scene: Capture moments like a book and a cup of tea on the patio, a table set for dinner, or a cozy fireplace with a blanket nearby. These images create an emotional connection with potential guests.
Include People Sparingly: While Airbnb discourages photos with visible people, you can hint at activity, like an open book or a half-filled wine glass, to suggest a lived-in experience.
Pro Tip: Use lifestyle shots as secondary images to complement your wider room photos. They add depth to the listing without overwhelming it.
6. Use Drone Photography for Larger Properties
If your property has a spacious yard, pool, or scenic surroundings, drone photography can provide a unique perspective.
Showcase the Setting: Capture aerial shots that show how the property fits into its environment. Highlight proximity to beaches, parks, or cityscapes for added appeal.
Example: A Sunshine Coast Airbnb used drone photography to show its location on a hill overlooking the coastline. The aerial perspective showcased both the property’s size and its breathtaking view.
Tip: Ensure drone shots are well-composed and consistent in quality with the rest of your listing photos.
7. Edit Your Photos for a Polished Look
Post-processing is essential for creating a professional, polished look while keeping your images realistic.
Brighten and Correct Colors: Use editing tools to adjust brightness, contrast, and color balance, ensuring the photos look vibrant but true to life.
Straighten Lines: Use perspective correction to straighten walls, doorframes, and countertops. This small detail can make your photos look more professional.
Avoid Over-Editing: Keep edits subtle. Over-saturated or heavily filtered images can look untrustworthy and turn potential guests away.
Tip: Use Lightroom or similar editing software for consistent, high-quality results.
Engage Your Audience with Airbnb Photography
Airbnb photography doesn’t just attract guests—it tells the story of your property and the experience it offers.
Create a Social Media Strategy: Use your listing photos to create engaging social media posts. Share before-and-after staging shots, highlight unique features, or showcase lifestyle moments to attract potential guests.
Offer Seasonal Promotions: Update your photos to reflect seasonal changes, like cozy interiors for winter or outdoor setups for summer. Pair these updates with seasonal promotions to keep your listing fresh and relevant.
Invite Feedback: Ask past guests what they loved about the property and incorporate their feedback into your photos. For example, if guests rave about the cozy fireplace, make sure it’s featured prominently.
Conclusion
Capturing stunning Airbnb photos is about more than just good lighting and angles—it’s about telling a story that resonates with potential guests. By staging your space thoughtfully, highlighting unique features, and using natural light effectively, you can create a listing that stands out and drives bookings. Whether your property is a cozy studio or a luxurious beachside retreat, these photography tips will help showcase its full potential and make a lasting impression on future guests.
