These days, a picture is worth MORE than a thousand words.
Airbnb listing photos are one of the key elements to capturing the attention of potential guests. To help you harness this powerful marketing tool, we’ve created the ultimate guide to taking and selecting photos for your Airbnb listing.
General Tips
How Many Pictures Should You Take?
Airbnb allows hosts to upload up to 100 pictures on their listings. However, it is unlikely that guests will need this many images. Instead, aim to include 20-35 photos of your listing, focusing on quality versus quantity. Make sure to have a few pictures of each room, capturing different angles and views. Do not repeat images as they will be repetitive and invaluable. Airbnb recommends that you not only take pictures of the inside of your home but of your backyard and neighborhood as well. If there are any popular destinations around, feel free to include images of them. It is important for potential guests to know what the area has to offer.
Do You Need an Expensive Camera?
Short answer: no. Using a high-quality smartphone camera like the Google Pixel or iPhone 12+ can capture your Airbnb in the same way as an expensive DSLR. Airbnb recommends that photos uploaded onto their site should have a minimum resolution of 1024 x 638px. However, it is recommended to take images with a higher resolution which can easily be done on your smartphone’s camera. Additionally, it is best to stick to a 3:2 Width to Length aspect ratio for the best results.
When To Take Your Photos
It is ideal to take your images in the daytime while it’s sunny outside. Avoid taking images at night as it can create a dark and less lively atmosphere. Additionally, turn on all lights in your home to brighten your home.
Step by Step Guide
1) Declutter and Clean
Put away any unnecessary items scattered around the rental, such as dishes or knick-knacks. The less clutter, the larger your space will appear. Unless you believe that an item is relevant to fully capture your space, put it away. In addition to decluttering, clean up by vacuuming the floor and washing your sheets. It is important to declutter and clean to capture your Airbnb in its best form. For more tips on how to tidy up, see our 6 Clever Ways to Declutter Your Airbnb.
2) Stage Your Home
Think about the theme that you wish to portray in your home. For example, is it tropical, outdoorsy, or family-friendly? Keep in mind what guests will typically look for in your home based on its location and size. Once you’ve established a theme, base your decorations and amenities around it. For example, if you choose a tropical theme, use bright colored sheets and decor. In addition to selecting and implementing a theme, make your home look as professional as possible. For example, make the bed, fluff your pillows, and neatly place couch cushions. These small details can significantly elevate the pictures for your home.
3) Take Your Photos
Remember the general tips from above. Use landscape mode, take your photos in the daytime, and turn on all lights. Take around 3-5 photos of each room to capture the general view, corners, and small details. For example, in the bathroom, back up to get an image of the entire bathroom. Then, get closer for an image of the shower and sink. Once again, remember quality over quantity.
Additional Tips
Don’t Overstage
Avoid creating an unrealistic portrayal of your home. It’s important to meet a guest’s standards when they arrive at your Airbnb. Therefore, don’t declutter too many things from your home to add them back later. Additionally, don’t take images of amenities such as an espresso machine if you won’t offer one to guests. Although it is important to take photos that will attract guests to your home, don’t make it unrealistic.
Highlight Unique Features
Do you have a pool or loft? Be sure to capture the unique features of your home through Airbnb listing photos. It’s important to use this opportunity to show potential guests what your home has to offer.
Edit the Lighting
If you cannot get the perfect picture through natural lighting, free apps such as Snapseed and Lightroom can do the trick. Adjust the exposure, contrast, or add a filter to your images to make them stand out. Once again, remember not to edit the photos too much or create an inaccurate portrayal of your home.
Select a Good Cover Photo
Think about the element of your home which best sums up what it has to offer. For example, many hosts will include an image of their master bedroom with its unique view of the city or backyard and pool. Remember that this is the first image that potential guests will see. Therefore, you’re trying to grab their attention through this cover photo. In addition to putting the best photo first, generally include your favorite photos towards the beginning of the gallery. Try to keep viewers engaged to avoid them clicking out of your listing.
Add Captions To Each Photo
Under each photo, include a caption that describes what the photo is about. First, include what room is portrayed in the image, such as the master or guest bedroom. Next, highlight the unique features that the photo is capturing. Many hosts also quote their best reviews and include them in the captions of their photos. Additionally, you can include your average star rating and top ratings written by guests in your gallery. Do this by taking a screenshot of the ratings and uploading it along with your other images.
Include a Floor Plan
If you have the ability, include a floor plan in your Airbnb listing photo gallery. This can be a highly beneficial tool for guests to have a better understanding of your home. Mammamode has a guide for creating floor plans for your listing using sites like Floorplanner and Roomsketcher. Since it doesn’t have to be fancy, they include many user-friendly options to draft a simple floor plan for your Airbnb.
Overall, attention and detail should be put into taking and selecting photos for your Airbnb. However, it doesn’t have to be complicated. By following these simple yet helpful tips, you can create beautiful Airbnb listing photos.
