Rental Property Photography: A Comprehensive Guide

In today's competitive landscape of the vacation rental market, the power of professional property photos to showcase your holiday home in the best way is obvious. The images you take for your rental listing serve as the very first impression for potential guests. Therefore, it’s vital that these photos paint the space in the best light possible.

Images are also a massive selling point for both short-term and vacation rentals, as people are usually likely to spend more time on a listing and engage with the post when images are present and when they look good. Research has shown that people pay more attention to the imagery on a listing than they do to the textual content on the page. 

In this post, we’ll take a look at how to capture professional rental photos and give you all the tips and tricks you need to use to get the most out of your short-term and vacation rental property photography. You’ll soon have a gallery of photos showcasing your pride and joy that you can be proud of.

Why Good Photography Matters in Rental Listings

First Impressions Count

The saying "first impressions are everything" could not be more true, especially regarding vacation rental listings and advertisements. The photographs visually representing your listing serve as the initial glimpse that potential guests catch of your property. These images will have a significant impact on shaping guests' immediate perceptions of what they can expect during their stay. 

When it comes to rental property photography that showcases what’s on offer, these first impressions need to entice guests to make a booking. If the property is not visually attractive to potential guests, it’s unlikely they will consider booking a stay with you.

Faster Booking

Beyond creating favorable impressions, high-quality rental photos of your vacation spot have the potential to expedite the booking process. When potential guests can clearly visualize your property's features and layout through your rental photos, they are more likely to make swift decisions. This can lead to reduced vacancy periods and speed up the process of getting guests to book.
 

Equipment Needed for Quality Photography

Cameras

While DSLR cameras undoubtedly deliver top-tier image quality, they are not always necessary. In the modern era, most smartphones have impressive camera capabilities, making them well-suited for short-term rental property photography. However, for those who already own a DSLR or are willing to invest in one, the flexibility it offers in adjusting settings and employing various lenses can be invaluable. 

Be prepared to delve into the intricacies of ISO, shutter speed, and aperture settings to attain peak results for your photos. If you’re serious about taking the best possible photos, there are many courses online that teach you about how to capture the best possible photo given the lighting, camera settings, and positioning.

Tripods and Stabilizers

Stability is paramount when taking pictures to market your vacation rental, as it helps avoid those annoying blurry shots. These look unprofessional and should never be uploaded to your listing or advert. Investing in a tripod to maintain the steady orientation of your camera during a shoot ensures that your images come out sharp and clear, adding to their professional flair. This is especially important when photographing under dimmer lighting conditions or when using slower shutter speeds for your rental photos.

Lighting

Adequate lighting can make or break the photos you use for your property listing. Natural light often emerges as the preferred choice; therefore, scheduling your photography sessions during daylight hours is always the best option. The use of harsh artificial lighting should be avoided if at all possible, as it can create unflattering shadows and color irregularities. In cases where artificial lighting is indispensable, softbox lights or diffusers can help create even, natural-looking light within indoor settings.

Essential Photography Techniques

Composition Rules

Using some of the fundamental photography composition rules can significantly elevate the quality of your photos. One such rule is known as the "rule of thirds". This principle involves dividing your frame both horizontally and vertically into thirds and anchoring your primary subject at the intersection of these lines in your rental property photography. In other words, you need to centralize your image at the point where the lines cross over. Other strategies, such as leading lines and framing, can also amplify the impact of your shots to make them look like a pro took them.

Focus and Depth

Achieving the right focus and depth is crucial in photos of your vacation rental. Utilize the autofocus setting that many cameras and certainly all smartphones come with. This will ensure that your subject matter appears sharp. Don’t be afraid to experiment with depth of field to control which parts of the image remain in focus. 

A shallow depth of field can accentuate specific features, while a deep depth of field can present the entire room in your rental property photo. Both have their place in creating a portfolio that paints your short-term and vacation rental property in the best light.

7 Tips for Getting the Best Rental Property Photos For Your Listing

1. Adhere to fundamental photography rules: Embrace the rule of thirds and other basic principles of composition during your shoot.
2. Present your property at its best: Whether it is occupied or vacant, prioritize cleanliness and tidiness to enhance the allure of your rental photos. Don’t be scared to do some sprucing before your scheduled photo shoot.
3. Harness the power of natural light: Utilize natural white light to infuse brilliance into your property’s photos, avoiding the harsh glow of electric lighting. Most photographers will tell you that the best light to take photos in is when it’s partly cloudy outside.
4. Add focal details and color to your imagery: Incorporate focal points and vibrant accents to make your short-term and vacation rental photos more captivating. Think about using brightly colored pillows to accent the space.
5. Master angles: Carefully select camera angles to realistically portray the property's features in the imagery. This lets you play around with concepts of depth.
6. Highlight unique features: Every property has something that makes it stand out. Showcase the property's distinctive attributes to pique the interest of potential guests through your short-term rental photos.
7. Ensure precision in rental photos: Utilize a tripod and editing software (even a basic one) to guarantee the alignment of lines and angles in your property photos. This will ensure your photos look professional, which will ultimately be more attractive to potential guests who come across your listing.

How to Take Photos When Property is Occupied

Refreshing your property photos while it is still occupied can yield significant benefits. It gives prospective guests an authentic glimpse into what it's like to stay in the space. However, this can sometimes be challenging for you or the photographer. 

For example, furniture and potential clutter can seem unattractive in some images. Maintain open communication with guests and incentivize tidiness. You should also coordinate your photography sessions in tandem with their routines to capture welcoming photos.

How to Take Photos When Property is Vacant

Photographing a vacant property offers you greater creative latitude. However, it can give the photos a very empty feel. Don't hesitate to explore the possibilities of decorating the property to evoke a sense of warmth and hospitality. Staging requires a lot of spatial planning, decorating, and even prop deployment to illuminate the property's latent potential. But it’s so worth it when you see how it can elevate the imagery. 

Post-Processing Tips

After you have skillfully captured your images, the art of post-processing can further augment their appeal. You can use these tips and tricks when you’re making the final adjustments to your short-term rental property photos. These will allow you to get the most out of your photos and add some additional glam to attract more guests.

Software Recommendations

Use a photo editing software that you are comfortable with. Nothing is worse than spending hours on a platform you find difficult to navigate. Two of the best photo editing software out there are Adobe Lightroom and Photoshop. However, there are also other programs you can use to spruce up your pictures, like GIMP GNU, which is a great photo editing software for beginners. Don’t discount the photo editing software that is already installed on a smartphone either, as these offer some great editing options, too.

Common Edits

• Refine brightness and contrast.
• Rectify colour disparities to render the property with fidelity.
• Align and crop images to maintain consistency in your photographs.
• Tailor the image’s dimensions for seamless web integration in your rental property photos.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

To ensure your pictures come out as best as possible, there are several common mistakes you can avoid.

• Overexposure: Safeguard against excessive brightness and washed-out visuals in your rental photos.
• Misguided Angles: Opt for angles that authentically represent the property's dimensions in your rental property photography. This will also ensure you get good reviews and aren’t accused of false advertising.
• Clutter: Prep the property for photography, removing any clutter that could take away from the content of the rental photo.

Conclusion

Mastering the art of short-term rental property photography is a valuable skill for property owners and those who manage vacation rentals alike. Exceptional rental photos create a strong initial impression, attract more viewers to your listing, and expedite the booking process. 

Whether you're using a smartphone or a professional camera, following the techniques and tips outlined in this guide will enable you to capture stunning short-term or vacation rental property photos that make your listing shine. By investing time and effort into quality photography, you can maximize your property's appeal and secure reliable guests through your property listing.