Do I need to hire a photographer for my rental listing?

Over the past 20 odd years, I have had many conversations with people wondering if they can or should, photograph their property themselves.

It's like baking your own cake for your wedding day- you definitely can, but if you have the budget for a cake- you'd pay for a professional.

The same applies for photography.

If you want to treat your short term rental listing as a business, then make the steps to make it a success business by enlisting professionals for all the parts you can afford to.

In saying that, here are a list of points for and against each of the most popular objections.

This is for every host to consider when making an informed decision if it is the right choice for you and your listing.

Cost // Professional photography services can be expensive, especially if the property is large or if multiple sessions are needed.

Professional photography services may be dearer than smart phone, but this is why I have a structured all my packages by images- not the size of the property. If you an only afford the smallest package price, why would I penalise you for having a bigger property?

You can see the Photography Packages here.

Skill level of host // Some hosts may feel confident in their own photography skills and believe they can capture the property adequately themselves.

Having confidence in your own skills is definitely an asset!

Consider having a professional photographer who will come in with fresh eyes and a background of experience as to which angles will highlight each area of the home. This is a sure fire way to make sure you have thought of everything.

Time constraints // Coordinating with a photographer's schedule and waiting for the editing process can be time-consuming, especially if the host has a tight schedule.

As a people person, I enjoy having the hosts on site while I work!

If, however you are short on time and can't be on site when you need the photos completed, you can rest assured that your property will be photographed with the utmost professionalism and care.

Professional photo of a modern bathroom

This Torquay bathroom required professional photos to capture the full width and balance the varied lighting. Note the natural lighting from the sunlight, the strip lighting under the floating vanity, the yellow coloured globe wall mounted lights.

Privacy concerns // Inviting a photographer into your home may raise privacy concerns, especially if the host lives on-site or has personal items they prefer not to be photographed.

This is an interesting point that has been brought up a few times and it can be a confronting step but you can rest easy knowing I have photographed 1000's of properties and have been trusted for over 20 years entering peoples homes doing this as my career.

Aesthetic preferences // The host may have a specific vision for how they want their property presented that differs from what a professional photographer might provide.

As a part of my booking process, I will have a phone consult and design a mood board with the host to ensure we are on the same page and that I am the right photographer for your property.

Book in a phone consult with me!

Local market dynamics // In some areas, your short term rental guests may prioritise other factors (like location or price) over the quality of listing photos.

If your property is situated in a hotspot location and you feel it's the area that will get bookings rather than the house, then photograph that! I offer location packages to highlight all the trendy areas around to ensure your potential guest knows what is available. The last thing a client will want to see is standard stock photos that everyone else uses.

Here's some Recent properties I've photographed to give you an idea of the different styles I can achieve- I've covered everything from a bedsit to a 13M home and everything in-between!

Seasonal variations // If the property's appearance changes significantly throughout the year (due to seasonal decorations or landscaping), photos may quickly become outdated.
I recommend that you book smaller, more frequent photoshoots to stay up to date with seasons and trends.

DIY spirit // Some hosts enjoy the process of taking their own photos and view it as part of the short term rental listing experience they offer.

If you really would love to do it yourself, then book in a one on one photography class with me and learn how to photograph you property. Learn how to sharpen your knowledge on architectural photography.

I hope I've helped fill the blanks and any uncertainness you may have had.

If you'd like like to see if my pricing fits with your budget- Check out the link below:

Property Packages

Happy Hosting!

Kirstie-lee