How to Capture Professional-Looking Photos of Your Short-Term Vacation Rental
Whether you’re listing your vacation rental on Airbnb, Vrbo, or your own booking site, first impressions matter, and your photos do the talking. High-quality images not only attract clicks but also communicate value, cleanliness, and hospitality before your guest even reads a word of your description.
Here’s how to photograph your short-term rental like a pro, even if you’re using a smartphone.
Photograph the Space, Not the Stuff
One of the biggest mistakes new hosts make? Focusing too much on the furniture.
Guests aren’t booking your place because of your couch, unless it’s a velvet chaise with a view of the Eiffel Tower. They’re booking for the feeling of the space, its functionality, and how it fits their travel needs.
Instead of: Zooming in on your decorative pillows
Try: Showing how the living room flows into the dining area or how natural light spills into the kitchen
Think: space, layout, and light.
Shoot with Natural Light (and Turn On Lamps!)
The best lighting is natural daylight, ideally mid-morning to early afternoon.
- Open all curtains and blinds
- Turn on indoor lights
- Avoid direct sunlight that causes harsh shadows. Diffused daylight is your best friend
Pro Tip: If you’re using a smartphone, tap the screen to focus and slide your finger up or down to manually adjust exposure.
Stage, Then Shoot
Treat your rental like a show home:
- Make the bed with crisp linens
- Fluff pillows and fold towels neatly
- Hide trash cans, cords, remotes, and personal items
- Remove reflections from mirrors and windows
Less is more. Decluttered surfaces and simplified decor make the room feel bigger and more serene.
Capture Corners for a Spacious Feel
Instead of shooting a wall head-on, step back into a corner and shoot toward the opposite corner. This creates depth and gives a better sense of scale.
Try to include:
- At least one photo per room
- A wide shot that shows the entire room
- A few detail shots (but only if they show hospitality: e.g., a welcome basket, coffee setup)
Cover the Guest Experience
Don’t just show what the place looks like, show what it’s like to stay there.
- A workspace with a closed laptop and notebook
- A cozy outdoor seating area with a morning coffee mug
- A game console or board game laid out invitingly
Paint a picture of the experience your guests will have.
Tools That Make a Big Difference
You don’t need a DSLR camera (though it helps!). Here’s what can level up your photo game:
- Tripod: Keeps your camera level and avoids blur
- Wide-angle lens (or a phone lens attachment): Captures the full room
- Photo editing app like Lightroom Mobile: Brightens and balances your shots professionally
- Cleaning gear: Because nothing ruins a photo like dusty baseboards or smudged mirrors
Organize Your Photos in a Logical Order
When uploading your listing photos, start with your strongest hero shot: typically the living room or a view that sells the stay. Then arrange photos in the same order a guest would tour your home:
- Exterior/front entry
- Living room
- Kitchen
- Dining
- Bedrooms
- Bathrooms
- Outdoor space
- Amenities (washer/dryer, workspace, etc.)
Keep it clean, consistent, and focused on flow.
Final Thoughts
Your photos are your most powerful marketing tool. You don’t need to hire a professional right away, but you do need to think like one.
Focus on space, light, and guest experience, and avoid cluttered, over-styled images that emphasize decor over usability. Because in the end, you’re not just showcasing a rental, you’re inviting someone to feel at home.
