No one wants to book a holiday let without first seeing what it looks like. But poorly taken pictures can be just as harmful as no pictures at all.
In order to get good quality photos that showcase your property in the best possible way, it makes good sense to plan ahead. Borrow a digital camera if you don’t already have one, ideally a DSLR model that allows you to use different filters and adjust various settings to get the best results with each shot.
Use the following tips to ensure you get good quality photos every time.
Think good lighting
Lighting is vital if you want to get the best picture. Open the curtains or a door or window if necessary. Ideally wait until you have a bright and sunny day to take the pictures, whether you are taking interior or exterior shots.
Be sure you don’t get any glare; having strong light behind you is the trick to avoiding a washout. Try taking some pictures at different times of the day to ensure you have several to choose from.
De-clutter
Your holiday let should be spotless of course. But extend this to removing the tea towel from the oven door and the selection of leaflets on local attractions if they are normally on the dining room table. A photo showing clean and clear surfaces – whether this applies to kitchen countertops or bedside tables – gives the illusion of more space.
Dress each space before you take the picture
Buy some flowers to put in a vase on the table. Make sure the bed is fully made with additional cushions placed to make it look even more appealing. If your holiday let has a patio area, add a jug of fresh lemonade and two glasses to it, along with a couple of pastries and bright napkins. These small touches all help to generate the feeling of a luxurious holiday rental that will provide a relaxing holiday filled with treats.
Think long shots
Remember that your photos should not just show a specific area. It helps to be able to place them with regard to the rest of the holiday let.
For example if the bedroom leads off from the lounge, don’t take a picture of it from just inside the bedroom door. Try and get an angle that shows you are approaching from the lounge area while still showing the bedroom.
The same applies if you take pictures of the views from the holiday let. Don’t stand on a terrace and take a picture that omits the terrace from the view. Stand just inside the property and ensure you get the terrace and the view included. This will help people understand where things are in relation to one another.
If you put more thought into your photos you will be amazed at how much more impressive they will be. Don’t be too surprised if you find your new and improved photos gain you more bookings as a result.
Charles Cawley says
June 11, 2012 at 2:23 pmI could not agree more about the need to take good photos.
We often visit three times to get the right light. Sometimes it is necessary to have more than one camera as some cameras do better internal shots and others do better outside.
Good photos can increase booking radically. I have been known to visit five times to get the right results. If you run your own holiday let there is even less excuse in failing to get the right shots. If your web site permits you should make the best of the space available and fill it with good photograhs.
Photographs sell. Good ones sell best. It is a common mistake to spend more on the IT and nuts and bolts of a web site when the real spend should be on the contents. If you get this right conversion to holiday bookings for each visitor will radically improve.
PromoteMyPlace says
June 12, 2012 at 2:52 pmThanks for your comments Charles. Very true.