How to Use Real Estate Photography to Make More Money on Airbnb

When it comes to Airbnb and other short-term rentals, the best marketing tool you have is your property photos. When guests see beautiful photos of your property, their decision to book can grow a lot easier which allows you to capture more great reviews and thus even more business in the future.

Imagine what your listings might look like with a few tweaks here and there and with some high quality Airbnb photography. You'd get a lot more bookings, wouldn't you? That's why we created a guide to using real estate photography to make money on Airbnb.

Understand which photos and scenes draw in potential customers the most and make them decide to book your listing

Telling a story about the space will help your listings stand out from the crowd and improve your chances of getting more bookings. A story won't only make it easier for guests to imagine their stay in the space, but also help you describe all the details of the space that you think is important.

Hence, creating a “photo story” is an effective way to increase your Airbnb revenue.

Try thinking of each room as a scene in a movie. What angle would you shoot from? What needs to be captured, and what are you communicating with this photo?

What should be included in your listing photos?

Interior photos: There are two main things to consider when taking interior photos: styling and focus. If you're new to photography, don't worry too much about styling — just make sure you use natural light and fill the frame with your subject. But focus is important — you don't want people looking at your photos, only to find it's hard to tell what's in the shot or even see it clearly.

Exterior photos: Just like interior photos, exterior shots rely on good lighting and framing. You also need to make sure that you capture all aspects of your property, including any parking areas or other public spaces around it.

Natural light and interior photography

You can take professional looking photos of your home using natural light from the sun or even a window. When taking photos with natural lighting, choose times of day when there is the most sunlight possible. Think about where the sun will be in relation to your home in the afternoon or early evening and plan accordingly.

Using natural light can make a huge difference in the quality of your Airbnb photographs. If you want to take advantage of natural lighting, try shooting during sunrise or sunset. Also, be sure that the sun isn't hitting directly in the camera lens, as this will cause glare and overexposure in your photograph.

Try new angles and fresh perspectives

The best real estate photographers know that one angle doesn't tell the entire story. Mix things up when taking pictures of your property. Try different angles and perspectives. The more photos you provide to potential guests, the more likely they are to book your place over someone else's.

Get rid of clutter

Get rid of clutter. Even if it belongs to you or it's necessary for the house, if it goes against the feel that you're trying to achieve, take it out of the picture. A cluttered room can look messy and uninviting, whereas an empty room may look bland and boring. Either way, focus on the beauty of what is there rather than what isn't.

You want the photos of your home to be as clean and clutter-free as possible, because it makes the space seem bigger and cleaner. In reality, your Airbnb listing probably isn't any larger or cleaner than any other home in your neighborhood, but the lack of clutter makes it seem that way. This can help you charge higher rates for your rental.

Show off an outstanding guest experience

You want to capture the essence of your short-term rental property. You want to show off all the amenities, highlight any unique features, and give potential guests a clear idea of what their vacation experience will be like.

Airbnb encourages hosts to add their own personal touches, which is a great way to get noticed. Adding a few house plants or flowers to your space can do wonders for setting the mood. If you're hosting in someone else's home, take advantage of any interesting decorating choices they've made and show them off in your photos. Maybe they've got an awesome collection of antique books or have turned their porch into a lush garden retreat: everything you can use as an opportunity to showcase your guest experience and impress potential guests with your attention to detail.

Your home will look more luxurious with optimal lighting

Photos of your home should be bright and clear, but if you're taking pictures inside, natural lighting makes it difficult to achieve both. An artificial light source can solve this problem. If you are using flash, make sure that it isn't too bright as this can wash out the colors in your photos.

Make your house look bigger with Aerial shots

How do we make our spaces look spacious and inviting?

Take a cue from the real estate professionals: use aerial photography!

Whether your home is a tiny apartment or a sprawling mansion, aerial listing photos that convey the size and scale of your vacation rental can help you rent it faster and for more money. If you're lucky, you'll even find a tenant who wants to stay for months instead of weeks.

Conclusion

Real estate photography is important for any property owner, but it’s especially crucial if you’re considering renting out your short-term vacation rental as an entrepreneur. You want to present a professional product that will appeal to potential guests and raise the chances of having repeat business. The tips above can help you get started taking professional-grade photos of your Airbnb. And don’t be afraid to get in touch with the professionals at DM Real Estate Photography!