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How to Choose the Best Photos of Your Vacation Home
Tips for selecting the photos that travelers look for in a vacation rental listing.
Travelers rely heavily on photos to guide their decision-making. Not only should your photos be high quality, they should also show the travelers what they want to see.
Here's a guide to what travelers look for in each room: |
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The Living Area
Travelers pay close attention to photos of your living area since many vacationers spend a lot of time congregating in the living room with their group or family.
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Choose photographs of your living room that answer the following questions:
How big is the room?
How much seating is available?
Does the seating appear to be comfortable?
How big is the TV?
Is there a fireplace?
Is there a view from the room?
Photo Tip: If you're living room has a fireplace, light a fire to bring the room to life.
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Las Vegas, NV (VacationRentals.com #10955)
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The Kitchen
Many travelers cite the kitchen as their main motivation for staying in a vacation rental over a hotel. Therefore, it's important that you have a good photo of your kitchen to reel in those travelers.
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Ocracoke, NC (VRBO #122673)
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Your kitchen photo should answer the following questions:
How big is the room?
What major appliances does the kitchen have?
How much counter space is there?
Does the kitchen look clean and free of clutter?
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| Photo Tip: Completely clear off the countertops before taking a photo of your kitchen. Even items like canisters and your knife rack can make the room feel cluttered in a photograph. |
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The Dining Area
Your guests will likely dine at your vacation home for a meal or two during their stay. Help them picture their family sitting around your kitchen table by choosing a photo of your dining area that clearly showcases the room.
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A photo of your dining area should answer the following questions:
How much seating is available?
Does the seating appear to be comfortable?
Photo Tip: Before taking the photo of your dining room table, set the table as you would before a dinner party and include a colorful centerpiece (a vase of flowers or a bowl of fruit) for extra pizzazz.
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New Orleans (VRBO #101022)
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The Bedrooms
For many travelers, one of the joys of renting a vacation home instead of staying in a hotel is that everyone gets their own room.
When searching for a vacation rental, these travelers want to see a photo of each bedroom and want to be able to answer the following questions about each room:
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Richland Chambers Lake, TX (HomeAway # 150350)
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How big is the room?
What size are the bed or beds?
Is there a TV?
Is there a dresser or armoire for storing clothes?
Are there reading lamps next to the bed?
Do the pillows and linens appear to be of a high quality?
Are there curtains or blinds for privacy?
Is the room clean and uncluttered?
Is there a view?
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| Photo Tip: Make sure that you smooth the bedspread and fluff the pillows before taking a photo of a bedroom. |
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The Bathrooms
As a rule, travelers aren't especially interested in the bathrooms in your homethat is, unless your bathroom has a Jacuzzi tub, steam shower, or other high-end or unusual feature. If you have a pretty standard, full bath with a tub, sink, and toilet, you'd probably be better off using your very valuable photo real estate to showcase another aspect of your home.
Photo Tip: If you decide to display a photo of your bathroom, make sure that your reflection doesn't show up in the mirror.
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The View
When choosing a photo of the view from your home, try to pick a shot that proves that the view is actually from your home.
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Set the right expectations for your view by choosing pictures that answer the following questions:
What will I see when I look out the window or walk out onto the deck?
Is the view from your actual home?
Photo Tip: Take a photo of your view that proves that it's the view from your actual home. You can do this by getting a bit of your balcony railing or roof in the frame of the photo.
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Nogales, Chile (VRBO #109134)
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The Exterior of Your Home, Building, or Complex
The outside of your home tells the traveler a lot about your dedication to upkeep and the safety of your building or neighborhood.
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Shanty Creek, MI (HomeAway #305289)
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Make a good impression on prospective guests by selecting photos that answer the following questions:
Does the home look well-maintained?
Does the surrounding area appear to be safe?
How close is the home to the nearest neighbor?
How far is the home to the beach, mountain, or golf course?
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| Photo Tip: Display a photo of your home shot during the upcoming season. For example, if you're trying to secure winter bookings, show your home under a fresh coat of snow. |
© Copyright, HomeAway, Inc. 2009. U.090217.KD
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