Airbnb and holiday rental photography: photos that bring bookings

On a booking platform, guests scroll through dozens of places at the same price in the same area. What makes them click yours is the first photo, and what makes them book is the ones that follow. Photos are the first impression, and the first impression is the booking.

Prepare the space as if a guest is arriving

• Remove personal items, cables, papers and anything a guest will not find there.
• Make the beds with clean, pressed white linen and fold the towels.
• Leave a few details that say welcome: a plant, a bottle of wine, fruit on the table. A few, not many.
• Switch on every light and open the curtains. Check for dead bulbs.
• Clean windows and mirrors, because they show up far more in a photo than in real life.

Light is the most important tool

Interiors photograph best with plenty of daylight, usually in the morning or afternoon, when the sun is not shining straight into the room. A professional photographer balances the light from the window with the light inside, so both the room and the view come through. Outdoor spaces, the balcony and the garden often look their best early in the morning or just before sunset.

Angles that show the space as it is

Camera at chest height, vertical lines kept straight, and a lens that is wide but does not distort. Guests should understand the size and layout of a room without being disappointed when they arrive. Photos that make a studio look like a suite bring bad reviews, not bookings.

The order of the photos

Platforms show the first photos first, so the order is part of the story:

1. Your strongest image: the living room, the view or the balcony.
2. The main rooms: bedrooms, kitchen, bathroom.
3. The details: linen, amenities, small touches.
4. The outdoor space and the neighbourhood.

Write a caption for every photo. It helps guests and makes the listing feel complete.

The same photos, everywhere

Frequently asked questions

How many photos does a listing need?

Enough to show every space a guest will use, plus a few details. A few strong photos are better than many similar ones.

Can I photograph my rental myself with a phone?

A modern phone, with good light and straight lines, gives a decent result. A professional photographer makes the difference in light, angles and consistency from one photo to the next.

When should I refresh my photos?

After a renovation or new furniture, and whenever the photos no longer show the space as it is today.

One shoot gives you material for Airbnb, Booking, your own website and social media. For Meliora we photographed every room in the apartment, from the living room to the terrace, along with the details that make a stay stand out. If you are preparing or refreshing a listing in Chalkida or anywhere in Evia, get in touch.