Airbnb is a competitive space. With hundreds — or even thousands — of listings for any given area, it's hard for a host to make their place stand out. That's where photography comes in. Humans are visual creatures, and having sleek, beautiful photos can make someone stop scrolling and click on your listing.
Here's our complete guide to photographing your Airbnb rental and scoring more bookings.
Prepare for your Airbnb listing photoshoot
Remember, you're selling a holiday, an escape, and a sanctuary. Before you switch on your camera, spend time tidying up — then turn your attention to the small details that can distract the viewer: tangled cords, crooked stacks of books, empty towel racks, and unmade beds.
Once the space is clean, add a few strategic props to make it feel inviting. A vase of fresh flowers on the dining table, a travel book on the coffee table, or a neatly folded throw on the couch can all add warmth and personality without looking staged.
Our top 10 Airbnb photography tips
1. Capture the personality of your place. Guests choose Airbnbs over hotels because they're unique. Highlight what makes yours special — a beautiful fireplace, a four-poster bed, a hot tub, ocean views, or a well-curated art collection. Your photos should convey the experience guests can expect to have.
2. Shoot from every angle. Give viewers a true tour of your home by photographing the interior, exterior, and outdoor spaces. Snap a few photos of the neighbourhood and surrounding area too — context helps guests picture themselves there.
3. Aim for an accurate representation. You're renting out your home, not selling it, so there's no need to hide its character. Guests may leave poor reviews if the property doesn't match the photos. Include a photo of every sleeping space — even a pull-out couch or bunk bed — so guests can plan accordingly.
4. Showcase who the place is best for. Use your photos to signal the ideal guest. A spacious multi-room property should be photographed to appeal to families and larger groups. A compact, stylish space should feel intimate and curated. Let the images do the marketing.
5. Point out accessible amenities. If your home is accessible to guests with limited mobility, photograph wide doorways, accessible bathroom facilities, rails, and ramps. This is a significant selling point for many travellers.
6. Brush up on your photography skills. Polishing your technique will go a long way. If you want help with exposure, composition, or lighting, check out the Ted's photography blog for tips and tutorials.
7. Shoot interiors during the day. Dark interiors won't do your listing any favours. Time your shoot so you're working inside during daylight hours. Open blinds, turn on lights, and let as much natural light in as possible. If your property is most atmospheric after dark, take your outdoor shots at dusk or sunset.
8. Stand in doorways or corners. Shooting from a doorway or corner helps you capture the full extent of a room and makes spaces appear larger. This is more effective than relying on your camera's panorama mode.
9. Shoot in landscape orientation. Airbnb's platform is optimised for horizontal images — all search result thumbnails are landscape format. Make sure you're shooting in the right orientation from the start.
10. Choose a higher resolution. Airbnb recommends photos of at least 1024 x 683px. If you have the skills, use post-production to correct colour inaccuracies, distortion, and exposure issues for a polished final result.
Recommended gear for Airbnb photography
1. DSLR or mirrorless camera. For the highest-quality images, a mirrorless or DSLR camera is the way to go. Mirrorless cameras are generally smaller and lighter, easier to manoeuvre in tight spaces, and offer excellent low-light performance. Their electronic viewfinders let you preview exact lighting and composition before you shoot.
Ted's Top Pick: Canon EOS R8
2. Wide-angle lens. Wide-angle lenses are ideal for interior photography, allowing you to capture the full extent of a room without sacrificing detail. Avoid ultra-wide lenses, which can distort proportions and make spaces look unrealistic to potential guests.
Ted's Top Pick: Canon RF 14-35mm f/4 L IS USM
3. Tripod. A tripod ensures sharp, blur-free images — especially important during long exposures in lower-light conditions. It also helps you maintain consistent framing across rooms for a cohesive set of listing photos.
Ted's Top Pick: Manfrotto MK290XT + 3-Way Head
4. Remote shutter release. A remote minimises camera shake during long exposures. Many Canon cameras also support remote control via the Canon Camera Connect app over Bluetooth, which is a convenient alternative.
Ted's Top Pick: Canon BR-E1 Bluetooth Remote
5. Fill flash. While natural light is ideal, a fill flash helps balance uneven lighting, reduce harsh shadows, and improve exposure in rooms that don't get much natural light.
Ted's Top Pick: Canon Speedlite EL-5
Get expert advice and equipment
Ready to make your listing shine? Head to your local Ted's Cameras store to get hands-on advice from our team and find the right gear for your rental photography. Or browse our full range of cameras, lenses, tripods, and lighting online.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a professional camera to photograph my Airbnb?
Not necessarily — a modern smartphone can produce good results with the right lighting and technique. However, a mirrorless or DSLR camera with a wide-angle lens will give you noticeably better image quality, more control over depth of field, and superior low-light performance. If you're serious about maximising your listing's appeal, investing in or renting a dedicated camera is worthwhile.
What is the best lens for Airbnb photography?
A wide-angle lens in the 14–24mm range (full-frame equivalent) is ideal for interior photography. It allows you to capture the full extent of a room in a single shot without needing to stitch panoramas. Avoid fisheye or ultra-wide lenses, which can distort proportions and make spaces look unrealistic to potential guests.
What time of day is best for photographing an Airbnb?
Mid-morning to early afternoon is generally the best time for interior shots, when natural light is bright but not as harsh as midday. For exterior and outdoor shots, golden hour — the hour after sunrise or before sunset — produces the most flattering, warm light. Avoid shooting interiors at night unless you have professional lighting equipment.
Should I hire a professional photographer for my Airbnb listing?
If your property is in a competitive market or commands a premium nightly rate, professional photography is a worthwhile investment. Airbnb has historically offered a professional photography service in some markets — check whether it's available in your area. For most hosts, however, a good camera, the right lens, and the tips in this guide will get you most of the way there.
How many photos should I include in my Airbnb listing?
Airbnb recommends at least 20 photos to give guests a comprehensive view of your property. Cover every room, all sleeping spaces, bathrooms, outdoor areas, and any standout features or amenities. More high-quality photos generally correlate with higher booking rates — guests want to know exactly what they're getting before they commit.