The photographs of your cabin, condo, cottage, or villa rental should look professional. Renters subconsciously associate the professionalism of your photos with the professionalism of your vacation rental business. If your photos are dark and shadowy, the renters might think you are, too.

Here are a few reasons why you may want to consider hiring a professional photographer: If you've staged your photos, played with the lighting, taken hundreds of shots…. and none of them do your second home justice. If you don't own a digital camera and don't really know how to operate your newfangled 35mm. If you have no interest in photography. How to Find a Professional Photographer Get references from other owners. Do a Google search. Check the yellow pages. Ask area real estate agents for recommendations. If you can't foresee having a chance to get to your vacation home in the near future.

Once you've found a photographer you think may be a match, be sure to look through their portfolio. These days a lot of photographers have them online. Realize that not all photographers are created equal. Just because a photographer is great at portraits or weddings, doesn't mean they'll excel at property photography.

Tips for Hiring a Professional Photographer

• Find out if the photographer will stage the rooms before shooting them.
• Find out if photo-editing is included in the fee or is extra.
• Ask ahead of time what kind of recourse you will have if they go out to your property, take photographs, and none of the photos turn out.
• Have an outline of what shots you'd like the photographer to take.
• If possible, try to be at your property when the photographer comes to shoot.
• Be clear that you want digital files of the pictures and the rights to use the photos for advertising purposes without having to give photo credit.
• Get everything in writing.

Be sure put up as many photos as you're allowed on your advertisement (on HomeAway that's 12). When renters only see one or two photos, they often wonder what's wrong with the rest of the property.

While the expense may seem outlandish, these professional photos could very well be the difference between booking 30 weeks a year and booking 40 weeks, which could amount to thousands of dollars in rental revenue. Since professional photographers have the best equipment on the market and an eye for what makes a great picture, you'll be sure to have photos that showcase your property's best side.

Quick Tip: If you or your friends know a great photographer but he/she doesn't live nearby, you may want to consider asking the photographer to trade their services for a week's stay at your vacation home in the off season.

Do you need a professional to photograph your vacation rental? "I need a professional photographer because I can never get the lighting right.  It's either too dark or the flash washes everything out. I'm not tech savvy enough to fix my pictures in photoshop and make them look good." - Doris B., Myrtle Beach, SC.

Guidelines for Taking & Selecting Photos Your photos are your chance to visually market your vacation home to potential renters. Don't miss out by taking lackluster photos of your home.   How to Turn a Good Photo of Your Vacation Rental into a Great One Bring any room in your vacation rental to life with a few easy changes.   How to Use Flickr to Market Your Vacation Home Tips for using photo-sharing sites to further market your vacation rental home on the web.   The 7 Photos to Include in Every Vacation Rental Listing Put yourself in the shoes of your vacation rental guest. Would the photos of your property make YOU want to rent it?

© Copyright, Christine Karpinski 2006. u.081113.af