Consider…
- What makes your property special?
- Is there a particular image you want to capture?
- Would you like to add a twilight photo?
- What is a guest looking for when he comes on vacation to your destination?
- What style does your property have (is it chic and sophisticated or rustic and homely)?
Highlight the views.
Make sure doors, mosquito nets and curtains leading to the outside can open completely. Outdoor areas must be prepared and cleared in advance. Potential guests will want to see the views they will have from the windows so make sure they are clean. Help them be displayed and add value to your images.
What can I add?
Tell a story. Remember that the goal is for potential guests to be able to imagine themselves there in the photo, on vacation, relaxing and enjoying your property. A few accessories here and there can accomplish this perfectly. A book on the nightstand, a cup of coffee on the kitchen counter or a glass of wine on the terrace give that human element that transports us to photography. Use your imagination. What things would you find out there if you were enjoying the space?
It is important not to overdo it. Too many things can distract instead of contribute. The goal is to create a welcoming atmosphere so that your guests fall in love with the place at first sight.
Bedrooms
Iron out the wrinkles! Preparing your property for photos is not the same as preparing it for a reservation. Think that this photograph is going to be your tool to sell your place for a long time and that you are going to share it with many people to show them that you are the best option on the market. Beds are vital, they can make or break the deal. Do everything you can to make them look perfect. Wrinkled sheets, comforters, or pillowcases don’t make the best first impression. Make sure you iron them so they look smooth and neat, that the sheets are well laid out, their lines straight, and the covers even on the mattress. Your efforts will be rewarded with years of quality marketing.
Keep it simple
One of my rules when taking photos is “everything that doesn’t add, subtracts.” The less clutter there is, the less visual noise and the more attractive your photos will be. Remove all unnecessary items such as trash cans, cleaning products and utensils, plastics, water jugs, etc. Your guests don’t need to see them in the image as they are usually included.
Kitchens and Dining areas.
As mentioned in the previous section, it is important to keep it simple, however it is also important to show coffee makers, toasters and utensils that facilitate the guest’s stay and that are not always included. A good idea, for example, is to set up the table with the tableware you have, this way the guest can see how many people can sit down to eat.
Dress up your Outdoors
Consider your outdoor areas as one of your rooms. A little effort gives a lot of results. Books, candles, towels, hats, fruit, beers can make a difference.
As in everything else, remember the golden rule: In vacation rental photography “everything that doesn’t add up, subtracts.” He makes sure the pool is clean and the area raked, that the umbrellas are displayed, the lounge chairs are aligned, the fountains are on, and all maintenance tools are hidden.
Is it a good idea to use models?
There is nothing more effective to transport us to a photograph than the human figure. No one can help but put themselves in the shoes of the person in the photo, imagining that it is them there living that well-deserved vacation at your property. Images with people are more effective at eliciting that feeling of “Wow!”
That said, it is important to remember that we are not taking portraits but photographs of your accommodation to achieve a vacation rental. A human figure within any image has an irresistible force of gravity for the eye. The gaze will go there first and then return repeatedly.
Precisely because the human figure is so attractive to the eye, it is very important to treat the subject with subtlety. It’s a good idea to use models in some photos, not all, as long as they serve their purpose elegantly.
Bathrooms
Bathrooms are probably the most intimate room in your property, and while they’ll never be your cover photo, all your potential guests will want to take a look. That being said, it is not necessary to take photos of each one, most of the time an open door showing their location is more than enough.
However, a photograph of the best of them is a good idea. The most important thing is that they evoke cleanliness, they have to “smell” delicious in the photo. All your items (soap, toilet paper, etc.) must be new, the mirror and shower door clean, and the tub or jacuzzi filled with water. They are small spaces so it is a good idea to minimize the decoration so that they do not look cramped in the photo, but a little plant or basket with towels can be flirty.
Home office
One of the things we recently learned is that we can work from anywhere. Today there is a digital tribe that works from their computer while traveling. Unlike the average tourist, who will spend most of the day outside, these digital nomad workers will spend a lot of time in your accommodation. Show them where they can settle and work in peace. A computer on a desk does the trick. If you have a comfortable chair that’s where it goes. Don’t force it, the television cabinet is not the ideal place. Sell what you have, this is a business that is built on trust and reputation.
And night photos?
Absolutely! The sunset is synonymous with beauty. Why not take advantage of it to frame your property? Twilight and night photos can be very eye-catching and a good cover to stop the potential guest’s gaze on your ad.
But they are not essential, they are the icing on the cake… as long as the cake is chocolate. I mean that if your property does not have a good angle from which to see the evening sky or does not have a lighting design, it is honestly not worth taking twilight or night photos. This must be taken into account since most of the time this type of photography has an extra cost and if it is not going to enhance your accommodation it is worth skipping it.
Conclusion
I hope this guide gives you an idea of how to prepare your vacation rental property for its next photo shoot. Anything you can think of is good, use your imagination, think like an interior designer. In any case, with the camera on the tripod we will assess what works and what doesn’t, nothing is set in stone. Here I leave you a checklist that you can download and print to help you refine the essential details.
Notice: I made this guide with the purpose of guiding owners who are about to take photos in their properties and, although it is to be shared freely, trading with it is prohibited. All images are property of Rodrigo Pimienta Esponda.