10 Holiday Rental Photography Tips for Stunning Listings

Great photos are key to boosting your vacation rental bookings. Here's a comprehensive guide to capturing stunning images that will make your listing stand out:

1. Prep your space: Clean, declutter, and stage
2. Use natural light: Shoot during golden hour
3. Get good gear: 20+ MP camera and wide-angle lens
4. Master composition: Rule of thirds, shoot from corners
5. Highlight unique features: Show what makes your place special
6. Capture all angles: Every room, multiple viewpoints
7. Edit professionally: Use tools like Adobe Lightroom
8. Don't forget exteriors: Show the outside and surroundings
9. Create a cohesive gallery: 20-30 high-quality images
10. Update regularly: Keep photos current, especially after changes

1. Prepare and Stage Your Space

Getting your vacation rental ready for photos is crucial to attracting guests. Here's how to make your space look its best:

Clean Everything

Start with a deep clean:

• Vacuum carpets and mop floors
• Wipe down all surfaces
• Clean windows and mirrors
• Make bathrooms spotless

Remove Clutter

Take out personal items and unnecessary objects:

• Clear kitchen counters
• Empty bathroom vanities
• Clean off bedside tables
• Declutter living room shelves

Don't forget to tidy closets and storage areas. Guests often want to see these spaces.

Set the Stage

Make your rental look inviting:

• Arrange furniture to show off space
• Add color with pillows or flowers
• Put a centerpiece on the dining table
• Make beds with crisp, clean linens

Boost Curb Appeal

First impressions count:

• Mow the lawn and trim bushes
• Sweep walkways and driveways
• Add potted plants by the entrance
• Remove cars from the driveway

Light It Up

Good lighting makes a big difference:

• Open all curtains and blinds
• Turn on all lights, including lamps
• Replace any burnt-out bulbs

Pro Tip

Take photos of your empty rental. This gives you a baseline for future listings and helps you spot areas that need attention.

2. Utilize Natural Light

Natural light is key for great vacation rental photos. Here's how to use it effectively:

Best Times to Shoot

Indoor Lighting Tips

• Open all windows, curtains, and blinds
• Try different times of day for each room
• For bright rooms, partly close blinds to cut contrast
• In dark rooms, use electric lights instead of weak natural light

Quick Tips

• Use a wide-angle lens to capture more of each room
• Don't shoot into bright windows to avoid glare
• Adjust blinds to control light and contrast
• Consider HDR for rooms with bright windows and dark corners

3. Invest in Quality Equipment

Good photos need good gear. Here's what you'll need:

Cameras

For top-notch results, try the Nikon D850 at $3,299.95. But any camera with 20MP or more can work well if you know how to use it.

Must-Have Extras

1. Wide-angle lens: Get one that's 24mm or less to fit whole rooms in your shots.
2. Tripod: Buy a solid mid-range one. It'll keep your camera steady.
3. Lighting: Natural light is best, but extra lights help in dark spots.

Tips for Tight Budgets

Even a good smartphone with a stand can take nice photos. Focus on learning how to take good pictures, no matter what you're using.

4. Master Composition Techniques

Good composition can make your vacation rental photos stand out. Here's how to do it:

Use the Rule of Thirds

Split your image into a 3x3 grid. Put key parts of the room where the lines cross. This makes photos look better and draws people's eyes to what matters.

Shoot from Corners

Take photos from room corners. This shows more of the space and how rooms connect. It helps guests understand the layout better.

Set the Right Camera Height

The right height shows important features like ceiling fans and countertops.

Keep Your Camera Level

Make sure your camera is straight. This stops vertical lines from looking tilted and makes photos look more professional.

Show What's Special

Take close-up shots of unique things in your rental. It could be a great view, nice architecture, or a cool feature. These details can make your listing more appealing.

5. Showcase Unique Features

Good photos of your rental's special features can make your listing stand out. Here's how to show off what makes your place special:

Highlight What's Different

Take photos of things like:

• A nice fireplace
• A pool
• A great view
• Special decor (like Elvis stuff)
• Cool building features

Set Up Scenes

Use props to show how guests can enjoy the space:

• Put a book by the fireplace
• Leave towels by the pool
• Set up a coffee cup on the balcony

Focus on Details

Tips for Better Feature Photos

1. Use good lighting to make features look their best
2. Take photos from different angles to show size and details
3. Include people in some photos to show scale and how to use features
4. Make sure the area around the feature is clean and tidy
5. Use a wide-angle lens for big features like pools or views

6. Photograph Every Room and Angle

To make your vacation rental listing stand out, take photos of every room from multiple angles. This helps potential guests see your whole space and understand its layout.

Show the Whole Space

Take these types of shots:

• Wide-angle views of each room
• Photos from corner to corner
• Pictures that show how rooms connect

Try Different Angles

Get creative with your camera:

• Shoot from low down to show furniture layouts
• Take photos from high up to capture room shapes
• Get close-ups of cool details like fancy light fixtures

Show How Rooms Connect

Use photos to show how your rental flows:

• Take pictures from doorways
• Capture open areas from different spots
• Include shots that show what you can see from one room to another

7. Edit Photos Professionally

Good editing can make your vacation rental photos stand out. Here's how to do it:

Basic Editing Steps

1. Fix brightness and contrast
2. Crop out distractions
3. Straighten tilted lines
4. Remove unwanted items
5. Use light filters for a natural look

Keep your edits consistent across all photos. This makes your listing look put-together.

Editing Tools

Adobe Lightroom is great for editing lots of photos at once. This saves time and keeps your style consistent.

Keep It Fresh

Update your photos when your rental changes. This keeps your listing current and appealing.

8. Capture Exterior and Surroundings

Taking good photos of the outside of your vacation rental is key. Here's why it matters and how to do it right:

What to Photograph

Focus on these areas:

• Front of the house
• Special building features
• Outdoor areas (pools, patios, decks)
• Gardens and landscaping
• Beautiful surroundings
• Nearby attractions

Tips for Great Exterior Photos

1. Pick the right time: Shoot when the light makes your property look best. Try taking photos at dusk for a wow factor.
2. Clean up: Make sure the yard looks good. Mow the lawn, sweep walkways, and hide trash bins.
3. Use good gear: A camera with at least 20 megapixels and a wide-angle lens (about 20mm) works best for getting the whole property in the shot.
4. Set up your shots: Keep the camera level and don't get too close to the house. Use a tripod for sharp images.
5. Show what's special: If you have a wrap-around porch or nice landscaping, make sure to get photos of it.
6. Try aerial shots: If you can, use a drone for overhead views. This shows off the whole property and what's nearby.

Quick Tips Table

9. Create a Cohesive Photo Gallery

A well-organized photo gallery can make your vacation rental listing stand out. Here's how to create one that works:

Keep It Consistent

Use the same style for all your photos:

• Similar lighting
• Matching color tones
• Consistent editing

Order Your Photos Logically

1. Start with exterior shots
2. Move through each room
3. End with outdoor amenities

Show Off Your Best Features

Put your best photos where they'll get noticed:

• Use your top shot as the main listing image
• Place standout features (like a pool or view) early in the gallery

Find the Right Number of Photos

Aim for 20-30 high-quality images. This gives guests a good look without overwhelming them.

Mix in Close-Ups

Add some detail shots to your gallery:

• Unique decor items
• Special amenities
• Interesting architectural features

10. Update Photos Regularly

Keeping your vacation rental photos current is key to an honest listing. Here's why and how to update your photos often:

When to Take New Photos

Tips for Updating Photos

1. Plan photo shoots at least once a year
2. Take new pictures right after big changes
3. Remove old photos from your listing
4. Keep the same lighting and style in new photos

Quick Photo Update Checklist

Conclusion

By following these tips, you're not just taking pictures – you're showcasing an experience that starts the moment someone views your listing. Keep at it, update regularly, and watch your bookings grow!