Not at a stage where you can invest in professional photos? Don’t worry – I got you!

I’ve clicked and edited hundreds of photos for me & my clients, watched hours and hours of high quality photography content to curate this step by step DIY photography guide for you.

The best part is, you don’t even need a DSLR.

#1 Create the Perfect Frame

Setting up the perfect frame differs from space to space. A living room may require much effort, while a deck area might not. But make sure you do it for every space.

Start here:

• Clean up the mess
• Remove unnecessary items from the frame
• Move furniture to create a more balanced frame
• Add decor items like art, plants (real or fake), show pieces, etc
  • Natural elements can be highly soothing to guests.
• Use props to set the context of the space.
  • E.g. Hat & sunglasses on the pool chair

Create a narrative by placing items the way guests would use it. Help them imagine what their stay would be like.

Note: Avoid setting unrealistic expectations. Guests will get disappointed if they don’t find what they saw in the pictures.

#2 Natural Light does WONDERS!

While it’s not wrong to invest in lighting gear, you’ll be surprised what you can do with just natural light.

Get the most out of it by

• Scheduling the photo shoot during golden hours (The last hour before sunset or the first hour after sunlight)
• Opening up all the windows & curtains

#3 Prep your Phone’s Camera for the Shoot

Tips to get the most out of your phone’s camera:

1. Clean the Lens (Use Microfiber Cloth to avoid scratches)
2. Use better Camera Apps like VSCO Cam or Open Camera
3. Use HDR mode (High Dynamic Range)
4. Charge your phone or carry a power bank
5. Use a Remote Shutter Button
6. Use a Tripod for Stability
7. Shoot with Wide Angle 0.5 zoom (Consider External Lens)
8. Use Portrait Mode for small spaces
9. Use High Resolution

#4 Angles & Perspective: Think like a PRO!

The pros always have their basics right, and you should, too.

1. The Rule of Thirds

Turn on the gridlines from your camera settings. This should divide the frame into nine blocks with four intersecting points around the center.

Position the subject of the image along these 4 points to create a more dynamic frame.

The Rule of Thirds in 5 minutes | Creating More Dynamic Framing

2. Wide Angle & Zoom

Shoot photos using the wide angle in your camera app or 0.5 zoom. 

Avoid clicking photos by zooming in with your phone’s digital zoom.

Mostly use landscape mode for larger & portrait mode for smaller spaces. 

Note: It doesn’t hurt to shoot the same photo in both.

3. Negative Space is Your Friend

Negative space is the empty space around the subject. You must use it to your advantage.

Try not to clutter the frame with too many things so that the viewer can simply focus on the subject.

4. Take Candid with Guests in the Frame

The best way to help guests how they could enjoy your space is to show them.

How? Get a few friends or family to act as fake guests and get their candid shots.

This is a highly underutilized tactic that instantly helps your property images stand apart from the others.

5. Horizontal & Vertical Lines

The main difference between professional and generic photos is the alignment of horizontal & vertical lines.

Angles are important, but alignment will make the photos look more professional.

Use a tripod to keep a consistent height.

#5 More is Better!

You will never regret taking more photos than you need. 

Capture photos of different angles, setups, times, etc. You ideally want every possible shot you can get!

Types of shots

• Corner shot
• Straight on view
• Wide angle shot
• Shooting through windows or mirrors
• Detailed shots (Amenities, Magazines, Art, etc.)

#6 The Magic is in the Edit

I am not talking about becoming a professional editor.
A few adjustments with contrast, exposure, saturation, etc., should be good enough.

Oh and for any exterior shot – always try to make the sky as dramatic as possible, but don’t go overboard with it.

You don’t need fancy editing softwares; this is possible on basic apps on your phone!

• Snapseed
• VSCO
• Adobe Lightroom

Keep the photos as natural as possible.

#7 Photos provide context

The reason you need photos for your property is for guests to look at them and understand

1. The property’s layout
2. The amenities
3. The experience of staying at your property

And so, the photos must incorporate the above.

Each photo must be an object of focus (focal point). 

Detailed shots of random things are good for your website but not ideal for Airbnb.

Example: 

A wide-angle photo of a living room space should be followed with close-ups of the amenities visible in that photo, a corridor that may lead them to the kitchen or bedrooms & preceded by the photos of the exterior.

How to Photograph Your Home for Airbnb! (behind the scenes)

While this will get you all the photos you need, don’t forget to optimize them so you can dominate on Airbnb!