Airbnb Photography: Ultimate Guide for Increasing Bookings  

(And for holiday rentals too)

Imagine the relief you feel as you navigate the ongoing West Gate freeway changes. And hit the Geelong Road for a weekend away on the Surf Coast. 

Sure the road is a mess.

And it’s been a long year. But thankfully, we have moved on from lockdowns. 

So booking this holiday rental shouldn’t have been the disaster it was.

You see, the reviews you read were great…” fantastic location, close to the beach”…” comfy bed with ocean views”…

Even the photos on Airbnb looked convincing.

Behold the horrendous experience unfolding before your eyes… 

The shower was a war zone. 

Dirty, yes … but a massive hole in the shower wall. The supposed rainforest shower head was dangling from the ceiling. 

The comfy bed was…at best… laughable.

And with stained, dirty, and ripped sheets. 

It was like a couple of possums had got tangled up in the sheets in an argument, tearing the place to pieces. 

Here’s the thing, you don’t want to be that miserable host. 

And I’m confident if you are letting a holiday rental across Geelong or the Surf Coast, that’s not you. 

But these Airbnb horror stories, and far worst, happen all the time.

Critical to attracting new guests is ensuring you have accurate photos on Airbnb. And with breathtaking photos, your rental listing stands out, so it gets booked more often. 

(Of course, you must maintain your Airbnb and holiday rental to high standards.)

So what makes great photos for marketing your Airbnb or holiday rental property?

Invest in high-quality and original photos

Make a list of all the photos that would help highlight your Airbnb or holiday rental. Then, you can draw inspiration from other listings or social media. 

It’s as simple as walking through the space and noting specific features you offer. A professional photographer will know how to feature your property. They will use different angles to help create a compelling story.

And today’s guests want to share their holidays with family and friends on social media. Most of the time, as soon as they arrive. So keep that in mind when planning what features to showcase in your listing. 

Airbnb photo style tips

The little things matter 

Remember, guests love a character-filled property, which is why they book an Airbnb. For many, it’s the main reason they stay away from chain motels, hotels, and resorts. 

You want to highlight the features that add to your guest’s experience. Think of all the small details contributing to your guest’s stay. Things to consider could include a luxurious outdoor shower, open fireplace, or patio furniture on the balcony. 

So, clean, fresh linen and plush pillows are on the bed. And soft Egyptian cotton towels neatly placed in the bathroom can all add to presenting a beautiful space. 

Approach your Airbnb listing as if you’re selling your home. 

You need to stage the space so guests can see themselves using it. For example, if you offer a breakfast hamper, ensure it’s included in your photographs. 

If you offer a creative space for artists…make sure you highlight that so guests can envision what that will feel like. 

You could also include fresh flowers or showcase a kitchen garden guests can use to add to the meals. 

You want to convey the original experience that your property or space offers that is seen as a rare find.

Keep the magic, and remove personal items

It’s the same rule for selling your home. People want to picture themselves staying in your Airbnb and holiday rental. Guests don’t want to think they are staying in someone else’s home. 

When booking their holiday, they dream about escaping their daily lives to relax.

And during that time away, they want to feel comfortable and at home. 

Ensure you remove all personal items and photos from the property or hide them. This way, you can ensure your guest feel relaxed, and your Airbnb is their sanctuary for their holiday. 

Take interior photos in natural light

You should photograph your Airbnb in natural light to emphasise your property, showcasing its original features. Looking at any interior design magazine, you’ll see that most photos are in natural light. 

And it’s as easy as opening the curtains and blinds, letting the light shine into your property.

You might think taking photos during sunset is a good idea. But the light changes too quickly. 

So, photographing your interiors is better when the light is constant during the day. By observing the natural light flowing into the property over a few days before your shoot, you can find the best time to photograph the space. 

Decorate with local art and photos

You can add charm to your Airbnb by adding local art, posters, or photos. Ask a local photographer to create unique images for your holiday rental. 

Airbnb tourism is booming across the Geelong region, so adding local touches can inspire further travel and return visits. 

For example, some lifestyle images of Eastern Beach, Kardinia Park or Cunningham Pier. Or, if you are down the coast in Lorne, consider Erskine Falls or Teddy’s Lookout.

The vital thing to keep in mind is don’t overdo it. 

Your photos and local art should keep in style with your property. It won’t help your listing if you have stunning wall art but you have a torn lounge or stains on the carpet. 

Don’t power down the beachside vibe

You ruin your curated images that convey a relaxing, chilled experience with power cords. 

And even power outlets can damper the mood you’re creating in your photos. 

No one wants to think about work while on holiday along the coast. So make sure you move or put away any cords. And where possible, hide the power outlets. 

Keep it clean, and they will too

Post-pandemic, you should show your commitment to having a clean, hygienic property. Presenting your Airbnb as homely and welcoming will do more than appeal to prospective guests. It also sets an expectation on how they should treat your property when they stay. 

How to use video for marketing your Airbnb 

While videos can benefit holiday rental marketing, Airbnb won’t allow them on its platform.  

Airbnb wants to help guests understand the space or property they are renting. So, allowing only photos gives the guests a better idea of the space and how it’s laid out. 

As with video, many people choose to show the surroundings and activities nearby. But Airbnb believes the listing needs to answer people’s questions about your space.

If you’re looking for other ways to market your rental, creating a video tour is a great way. You could post it on YouTube, TikTok or Instagram to show it off.

Or build a dedicated website that’s focused on marketing your property. 

 

How to hire a photographer for Airbnb or holiday rental

When hiring a photographer to take pictures of your Airbnb or holiday rental –  look for someone with experience. 

Photographing your Airbnb is very similar to real estate and architecture photography. Your Airbnb photographer must know how to highlight and present your space. 

Your photos should be as alluring as possible. 

With over 1,500 in Geelong alone, your photos and listing must appeal to potential guests. And they will know how to help you stage each room, so it looks its best in photos. 

Of course, check your photographer’s portfolio on their website or social media. This way, you get an idea of their style and if they are a good fit for your Airbnb or holiday rental.

20% more bookings with professional photos 

A recent Airbnb study found that investing in professional photography had 20% more bookings compared to those that DIY. 

Your Airbnb or holiday rental listing is competing in the attention economy. Potential guests may spend as little as 3 seconds viewing your listing before moving on to the next. 

And that could be only your listing image. 

That’s why a professional photographer helps you get seen by highlighting your space’s unique and different features. They can photograph your Airbnb from different angles to show distinct perspectives. 

But if the guest is not enticed enough by the listing image, the rest of your photos will matter very little. 

Experienced photographers know how to weave storytelling and creativity into their images. 

Listen, no one will book a dingy, dark, and cluttered space that is poorly photographed for a premium price. 

So choosing a photographer to capture your Airbnb in gorgeous natural light with bright and airy photos can attract the right guests. 

What are Airbnb photography guidelines? 

Knowing the requirements to ensure Airbnb accepts your photos is always helpful.

Each photo must meet the following criteria:

• All images must be at least 1024×768 pixels (i.e. an aspect ratio of 4:3 or 3:2). 

• Photos must have a file size of less than 10MB

• Photos must be in JPEG format (no other formats accepted)

• Photos should have a consistent appearance across all browsers and devices. So they should not appear blurry, pixelated, or distorted. 

• Photos should accurately depict the space. So, it’s not the time to get creative in Photoshop. Like changing the appearance by removing furniture or swapping the outside window view. 

And whilst not a rule, guests expect you to have a least seven photos. However, many listings have around thirty photos. 

Marketing your Airbnb and holiday rental

It’s helpful if you rely on something other than Airbnb or the holiday rental website to market your property. 

You can create a Facebook business page and Instagram profile for each property. Then use your new stunning photos to show off your space. 

45% of people in a Meta survey of 20,000 users found they use Facebook and Instagram for travel inspiration. Those surveyed said they use both for destination research, holiday rental comparison, and finding local experiences. 

You might suggest the best local strawberry jam is at Pik Nik, or long lunch with ocean views At The Heads or a visit to the Geelong Gallery. 

Of course, using social media, you can share local tips, secrets, and reviews with your guests. 

And once your guests have an unforgettable experience at your Airbnb, they will share their photos and videos. 

As you know, the best recommendations for our next stay usually come from our family and friends. Using social media will make it easier for your guests to share your Airbnb. 

Asides from social media, you can use your new photos to add to your property’s website. For example, starting a blog with relevant and helpful content inspiring travel to your property, be it in Angelsea, St Leonards, or Highton. 

Need a Geelong Photographer to capture your Airbnb and holiday rental with captivating and creative photos?

Future guests will decide to click on your property based on your main listing photo. 

So don’t waste your marketing efforts on poor photography and lose bookings. 

Contact us to learn how a professional photographer can make your property stand out.