Is the cost of professional Airbnb photography worth it?

One of the most important factors of getting consistent Airbnb bookings is a good first impression — after all, you only have a few seconds to stand out from the competition. The cover photo, or hero shot, is the first photo guests see when searching for a stay, making it the most important photo of your listing. A good cover photo can determine whether or not a customer will click your property’s listing or if they’ll scroll past it and check others instead.

But how valuable are professional photos for Airbnb listings?

‍According to Airbnb, professional photography can help listings stand out against other similar properties. Hosts who use professional photos may earn up to 20% more and get 20% more bookings compared to other listings in their area. Getting professional Airbnb photos done can be a smart move to help you present your property in the best light to get more bookings and increase your occupancy rate.

What is Airbnb photography?

Despite what it seems, Airbnb and short-term rental photography isn’t just a point-and-shoot task — it’s about visual storytelling as well. Its goal is to create photos that showcase your property in the best way possible, giving potential guests the opportunity to imagine themselves in your property and enticing them to make a booking.

Airbnb photographers must have professional-grade equipment, the necessary skills on how to use it, and extensive experience in real estate and interior design photography. They should also know how to edit photos to enhance their quality or adjust lighting further.

How much does Airbnb photography cost?

Prices for Airbnb photography in Australia typically start at the $200 range, though exact rates vary depending on the following factors:

• Location: Photographers in major cities typically charge more compared to those in other areas.
• Property size: Larger properties such as multi-bedroom homes will take much longer to shoot compared to smaller ones like apartments — Airbnb photographers take this into account when calculating service fees.
• Services: Some photographers also include editing, while others may also use drone cameras for aerial shots, which result in higher fees.

Another consideration that may affect the cost of Airbnb photographers is whether or not property styling is included in their services. Before taking professional photos, your property should be styled to be as inviting as possible to guests, and draw attention to its most appealing or interesting features. This makes a big difference in attracting more guests to your Airbnb.

You can style the property yourself by adding decorative pieces such as artwork, plants, or lamps, clearing any clutter, and upgrading furniture. You can also hire a professional stylist to get the best possible result. The average nightly rate of a well-styled property can be up to 2x more than similar properties that aren't styled well.

To learn more about the value of property styling and photography, check out this video guide from Hannah, Hometime’s Portfolio Optimisation Manager:

Where do I find an Airbnb photographer?

Many Airbnb hosts typically start by taking photos of their property themselves, typically with a smartphone or even a high-quality DLSR camera. However, it’s important to remember that professional photography requires specialised equipment and skills. Take a look at these examples below to see the differences between professional DIY photography vs professional Airbnb photography:

Hometime tip: for more photos of this Airbnb property, check out this listing: The Pool House: Spacious Family Stay at Hervey Bay

If you’re interested in getting professional photos done, there are various options available:

• Join Airbnb’s Pro Photo Program
• Look for local real estate photographers
• Partner with Hometime and avail of our Airbnb management services:  we’ll connect you with an expert Airbnb photographer in your area with the equipment, skills, and experience required to showcase the best features of your short-term rental property and highlight its distinctive elements. This also includes property styling, with exclusive discounts to our partner furniture suppliers.

Hometime offers Airbnb styling and photography, as part of our  Airbnb management services. This includes: 

• Listing optimisation
• Dynamic pricing strategy
• Airbnb cleaning services
• Guest communication and management
• Property maintenance

Is Airbnb photography worth it?

Yes, getting professional photos taken for your short-term rental property is worth it — listings with high-quality photos can help attract more views, improve booking numbers, and boost nightly rates. Though the upfront cost of professional Airbnb photography for your property may seem like a lot at first, the cost pays for itself over time by generating more bookings in the long-term. 

To know more about Hometime’s Airbnb management services, reach out to us.