Preparing Your Vacation Rental for Professional Photography
Professional photography is one of the smartest investments for your vacation rental. Listings with high-quality images attract more bookings, highlight unique features, and create immediate trust with potential guests.
Here’s your complete, streamlined guide to getting your property photo-ready.
Why Professional Photography Matters
Photos do more than show your space — they tell its story. A few key benefits:
Higher Booking Rates: Eye-catching photos draw guests in.
Stronger First Impressions: Guests make decisions within seconds.
Showcased Features: Highlight what makes your property special.
Step 1: Stage for Success
Thoughtful staging invites guests to imagine themselves in your space.
Declutter and Depersonalize: Remove personal items, excess furniture, and visible cords.
Deep Clean: Floors, windows, kitchens, bathrooms — everything should shine.
Add Simple Touches: Set the dining table, add a bowl of fruit, place cozy throws or candles.
Create Inviting Vignettes: Add a bottle of wine with two glasses, a few local craft beers, or a pitcher of lemonade with glasses to create a welcoming, lifestyle-driven scene.
Showcase Amenities: Turn on outdoor lights, prepare grills and fire pits, make pools and hot tubs look ready to use, and place neatly rolled towels near the pool to create an inviting, resort-like feel.
Enhance Outdoor Spaces: Add fresh outdoor cushions, throw pillows, and open umbrellas to patios or decks for a vibrant, welcoming look.
Step 2: Spotlight Key Areas
Draw attention to spaces guests care about:
Outdoor Spaces: Sweep patios, tidy landscaping, and arrange furniture.
Kitchens: Highlight gleaming countertops and modern appliances.
Living Rooms: Create an inviting, conversational setup.
Bedrooms: Use crisp, neutral bedding with decorative pillows.
Bathrooms: Display neatly folded towels and minimal, tasteful decor.
Step 3: Maximize Lighting
Schedule your shoot during daylight hours — morning or late afternoon is ideal.
Open all blinds and curtains.
Turn on every light, inside and out, to create a bright, welcoming feel.
Replace any dim or burnt-out bulbs.
Step 4: Use Golden Hour Wisely
Golden hour (shortly after sunrise or before sunset) offers beautiful, warm light. Prioritize key outdoor spaces for golden hour shots, but plan most interior photos during full daylight for clarity and vibrancy.
Step 5: Understand High Dynamic Range (HDR) Photography
High Dynamic Range (HDR) photography blends multiple exposures into a single, balanced image, capturing both bright highlights and deep shadows without losing detail. It can dramatically enhance interior shots, especially in rooms with large windows or challenging lighting conditions.
Benefits of HDR: Richer colors, more accurate lighting, and a true-to-life representation of your space.
When to Use It: Ideal for bright living rooms, sunlit bedrooms, and properties with striking indoor-outdoor transitions.
Coordinate with Your Photographer: Ensure they are skilled in HDR techniques or plan ahead to make the most of this option for optimal results.
Step 6: Partner with Your Photographer
Share the features you want highlighted (fireplaces, pools, ocean views).
Describe your target audience to set the tone.
Discuss specific styles you prefer and ask about wide-angle or drone options for a more dynamic showcase.
Step 7: Day-of-Shoot Checklist
Clean and stage all rooms.
Open blinds, turn on all lights, and tidy outdoor areas.
Set out final touches like flowers, books, or candles.
Place neatly rolled towels near the pool.
Create a welcoming vignette with wine, local beer, or lemonade.
Move all cars out of driveways and away from the front of the property.
Walk through the property with your photographer to align on priorities.
Pro Tips for Outstanding Results
Professional Editing Matters: Enhances lighting, color, and consistency.
Update Photos When Needed: If you significantly renovate, redecorate, or add major new amenities, refresh your photos to reflect the upgrades.
Highlight the Neighborhood: Include lifestyle shots of nearby attractions to create a full experience for guests.
Final Thoughts
Preparing your rental thoughtfully makes a real difference. Professional photography, paired with careful staging, helps your listing shine, increases bookings, and leaves a memorable first impression.
At Hygge Hospitality Partners, we’re committed to helping you create beautiful, welcoming spaces guests will love. Contact us for more expert insights or to learn about our property management services.
