When you’re advertising a short-term holiday rental online, you need to make sure potential guests can really visualise what they are booking. That means high-quality photographs of your accommodation are a must.
Some property owners choose to invest in the services of a professional photographer, which is well worth the expense. Others prefer to go the DIY route. If you’re getting ready to photograph your holiday home, here are some useful tips for showcasing your rental in the most appealing way.
Tidy Up
First, make sure the interior and exterior of your home look their best. Mow the lawn and clean up the gutters, or hire a garden service to spruce up the outdoor areas. Make sure the inside of the home is clean and tidy before you start shooting.
Take a Variety of Shots
Give your guests a good variety of photographs to look through when they view your listing. About 10 to 12 photographs of the property will be ideal.
See Things from a Guest’s Perspective
When deciding what to photograph, visualise how your guests would like to spend their time in your holiday home, and let that guide you. Include images of the surrounding area and views.
Choose Your Day Carefully
Watch the weather ahead of time, to choose the best day for shooting. Cloudy days will typically give you the best lighting for a house. On overcast days, the light tends to be even and diffused, without harsh shadows.
Balance the Light
It’s important to get the lighting right, to make sure your property looks inviting. Choosing the right time of day to shoot makes all the difference. For example, as the sun starts to set, you’ll get a “golden hour” when the exterior can be properly exposed while the interior has a lovely warm glow. Sunset is a great time of day to get attractive shots. Turn off your flash to capture the natural light.
Use a Tripod
Even a simple camera will give you much better results when mounted on a tripod. You’ll get steadier shots and you’ll be able to be more deliberate with the way you compose each one.
Take Low, Straight-On Shots
Place your camera slightly lower than eye level, to get glamorous magazine-style shots. Position the camera straight on, rather than tilting it upwards or downwards. This will give you the most professional-looking pictures.
A picture speaks a thousand words, and with a few great shots to show off your short-term holiday rental, your guests will already be able to start picturing themselves enjoying a relaxing time at your location.
