Visual Boost — home

Guide

How to photograph a holiday rental

Good editing starts with a good original. This is the advice we'd give any owner before they pick up a camera — no sales pitch, just what actually makes a difference.

Taking better photos

Eight habits that improve almost every listing photo, even on a phone.

  1. 01

    Use natural light

    Shoot during the brightest part of the day and open curtains and blinds fully. Daylight is more flattering than any ceiling fixture.

  2. 02

    Turn on the right interior lights

    Warm lamps add depth in corners and make a room feel lived-in. Mixing bright daylight with a single dim overhead bulb usually looks worse than either alone.

  3. 03

    Clean and declutter first

    Bins, chargers, cables, toiletries, cleaning products and personal items all pull attention away from the room.

  4. 04

    Make the beds carefully

    Smooth the duvet, square the pillows and let the linen hang evenly. Bedding is the first thing guests judge in a bedroom photo.

  5. 05

    Shoot from a useful angle

    Stand in a corner, roughly chest height, and include two walls. This shows the size and shape of the room far better than a photo taken from the doorway.

  6. 06

    Keep vertical lines straight

    Hold the camera level rather than tilting up or down. Leaning walls make a room look unstable and amateur.

  7. 07

    Avoid very dark images

    A slightly bright photo reads as welcoming; a dark one reads as small and gloomy. Tap the darkest part of the room on your phone screen to lift the exposure.

  8. 08

    Take more photos than you need

    Several frames of each room, at slightly different heights and angles, give you far better material to choose from.

Preparing your property

Thirty minutes of preparation is worth more than any editing.

  • Make beds neatly

    Fresh, well-pressed white linen photographs best.

  • Remove temporary clutter

    Clear worktops, bedside tables and bathroom counters.

  • Clean reflective surfaces

    Mirrors, glass, taps and hobs show every smudge on camera.

  • Open curtains and blinds

    Let in as much daylight as the room allows.

  • Remove unnecessary objects

    Drying racks, bins, floor mats, remote controls and cables.

  • Add one or two simple touches

    Folded towels, a plant or fresh flowers — nothing that won't be there for guests.