Airbnb Photography Tips for Hosts and Holiday Rentals

Good Airbnb photography comes down to one question: does each picture answer something a guest wants to know before they book? Show every bed, the bathroom, the kitchen, the view and any workspace, choose a bright and honest cover photo, and keep the set up to date as the property changes. The guidance below is written for hosts who take their own photographs, and it applies just as well to listings on Booking.com.

Start with the questions guests ask

Before you pick up a camera, write down the questions a guest will have when they scroll through your listing. Most of them come down to five things.

• Where will I sleep, and how big is the bed?
• Is the bathroom clean, private and well equipped?
• Can I cook here, and what is already in the kitchen?
• What will I see from the window or the balcony?
• Can I work here if I need to, with a desk, a chair and a plug nearby?

Every photograph in your set should answer at least one of these. If a picture does not help a guest decide, it probably belongs further down the list or not in the set at all.

Choose a cover photo that earns the click

The cover photo is the first thing people see, often on a small phone screen. It should be a wide, bright shot of the main living space or the best view, taken in daylight, with no people and with straight vertical lines. Clean the room before you shoot, open the curtains, and turn on the lamps so the space looks warm and welcoming.

Avoid a cover that hides the room behind a dark corner, a blurred view through a dirty window, or a photograph taken from a height that makes the room look small. Check the current guidelines on the platform you use for the order and number of photos, because these change over time.

Airbnb photography tips for every room a guest will use

Bedrooms

Shoot the bedroom from the doorway or a corner so the whole bed is visible. Make the bed with fresh linen, put two matching pillows at the head, and switch on the bedside lamps. If the wardrobe is generous, show it open with a few hangers in view, so guests know there is space for their clothes.

Bathroom

Guests check bathrooms carefully. Clean the basin, the shower and the toilet, fold the towels neatly and open the shower door for a photograph. Shoot from the doorway with a wide lens so the whole room is in the frame, and make sure the mirror does not reflect you or the camera.

Kitchen

Clear the worktops and leave only a few well-chosen items, such as a coffee machine or a fruit bowl. Close the dishwasher and the drawers. Show what is provided, such as pans, a kettle and crockery, because guests often want to know whether they will need to bring their own.

Living and dining areas

Show the seating from a corner that reveals the room’s shape, and set the dining table for two. A table with a few glasses and a bowl of fruit suggests a comfortable stay without looking staged.

Outdoor spaces

A balcony, terrace or garden can be the reason someone books. Photograph it in good light, with a chair or a table included, and show the view that the property offers. If the view is seasonal, say so in the description and show it at its best.

Show the details that sell a stay

Small details often decide between two similar listings. Consider photographing the following if they apply to your property.

• Good towels and bed linen, folded or made up so they look generous.
• Blackout blinds or curtains in the bedroom.
• A welcome tray, a coffee station or a set of local guides.
• The entrance and the way into the building, since guests often arrive tired and want reassurance.
• A dedicated space for luggage or a storage cupboard.

Do not photograph personal items, medicines, post or family belongings, even if they are tidy.

Keep the photos honest

Honest photographs make fewer disappointed guests. Do not stretch the room with an extreme wide lens, do not hide a small bedroom behind a distorted angle, and do not suggest a sea view if the window looks at the building opposite. If the space is compact, say so in the description and show it clearly. Guests who arrive expecting what they saw in the photographs are far more likely to leave a good review.

Our post on real estate photography mistakes lists other slips to avoid, and our guide to interior photography light and composition explains how camera height and straight verticals can make a room look accurate and inviting without distortion.

Update the photos through the seasons

A garden looks very different in January and in July, and a room changes when the furniture moves or when you repaint. Review your photographs at least twice a year and replace any picture that no longer matches the property. After a refurbishment, shoot the changed rooms again straight away rather than waiting for the next review.

Keep a dated folder of your original files, including the RAW versions if you shot them. That makes it easy to compare and to make small, honest updates without starting from scratch.

When to call a professional

Many hosts manage their own photographs well, especially for a simple apartment in good light. A professional is worth considering when the property is large, when the light is difficult, when you want a short video for social media, or when you want a 360° virtual tour so that guests can look around before they arrive. Our studio is based in Genoa and offers luxury interior and exterior photography, high-end real estate video, drone footage and 360° virtual tours. Our team flies licensed, but drone rules vary by country, so check what applies where your property is. To discuss your rental, use the contact page, or look at the services page to see what each option includes.

FAQ

Should my Airbnb cover photo be the living room or the view?

Choose whichever best represents the stay. If the view is the main reason guests book, use it. If the living room is more appealing and the view is only average, a bright, well-composed living room usually works better. Try the options over time and keep the one that draws more interest.

How often should I update my listing photos?

Review them at least twice a year, and shoot again after any significant change, such as new furniture or a refurbishment. Seasonal updates help guests see the property as it will be on the day they arrive.

Can I use my phone for holiday rental photos?

Yes, for many properties; our guide to taking real estate photos with a phone shows how. Use the main lens rather than the ultra-wide, keep the phone level at chest height, and shoot in daylight. A phone can produce a clear, honest set, although a dedicated camera gives more control over the room’s shape and light.

Do I need to show every room?

Show every room a guest will use, and the spaces that answer their questions. A room that is not part of the stay, such as a storage cupboard, does not need its own photograph, but a clear picture of the entrance and the way in is always helpful.