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Guide
Photography Tips
Great photos are the single biggest factor in getting more bookings. Here's how to make your property shine.
Lighting is everything
- Shoot during the golden hour — the first and last hour of sunlight gives warm, inviting tones
- Open all curtains, blinds, and turn on every light in the room
- Avoid shooting at night; artificial light alone makes rooms look small and dim
- If a room is dark, use HDR mode on your phone to balance shadows and highlights
- Overcast days work great — soft, diffused light eliminates harsh shadows
Composition & angles
- Shoot from corners to capture the full depth of a room — it makes spaces look larger
- Hold your camera at chest height (not eye level) for a natural, balanced perspective
- Use the rule of thirds — place key features at intersection points, not dead center
- Shoot landscape (horizontal) for rooms, portrait (vertical) for tall features like staircases
- Include a "leading line" like a hallway or path to draw the viewer in
Staging your space
- Declutter every surface — remove personal items, excessive decor, and loose cables
- Add pops of color with fresh flowers, a fruit bowl, or neatly folded towels
- Make all beds with crisp, neutral linens and plump the pillows
- Set the dining table to suggest a lifestyle — wine glasses, napkins, a candle
- Keep bathroom counters bare except for neatly arranged toiletries
What to photograph
- Cover photo: your most stunning wide shot — usually the living room or exterior
- Every bedroom, bathroom, kitchen, and living space needs at least one photo
- Outdoor areas: patio, garden, pool, balcony, parking, building exterior
- Special features: fireplace, hot tub, view, home office, gym equipment
- The neighborhood: nearby park, coffee shop, beach, or scenic street
Phone photography tricks
- Clean your lens — a smudged camera lens causes hazy, soft photos
- Use a tripod or lean against a wall to eliminate camera shake
- Turn on grid lines (rule of thirds overlay) in your camera settings
- Use the 0.5x wide-angle lens for small rooms — it captures more without distortion
- Shoot in the highest resolution available and avoid digital zoom
Editing & final touches
- Straighten all photos — crooked horizons look unprofessional
- Bump brightness and reduce shadows slightly for a clean, airy look
- Keep edits subtle — over-saturated or heavily filtered photos look deceptive
- Crop out distracting elements at the edges of your frame
- Maintain consistent editing style across all photos for a cohesive listing
Do
- Shoot in landscape orientation for rooms
- Use natural light whenever possible
- Declutter and stage before shooting
- Include 10-20 photos per listing
- Show the property from multiple angles
Don't
- Use heavy filters or extreme edits
- Include people, pets, or personal items
- Shoot with flash in small rooms
- Use photos from years ago if things have changed
- Leave messy areas visible in frame