If you feel that the images you took with your personal device i.e, mobile phone or your little point and shoot camera is sufficient for your vacation rental photos then I’m sorry to say, but you’re actually doing more harm than you think and leaving money in cyber space.

Why do I need Professional Photos on my Vacation Rental property?

A friend and host of a vacation property asked me this question directly after I told him the cost of having professional photos taken of his listing. In his mind it wasn’t necessary so he asked this question in a facetious manner.

As the Prime Minster says ‘This is a teachable moment’

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Alllrighty Then

Firstly, understand that if you ask me a question I will answer you with all the knowledge that I have. On the flip side if I don’t have much information on a particular subject, then I simply wont attempt to answer. This…this subject right here, is something I know a good much about.

While most photographers gravitate toward portrait photography one way or the other. I tend to stretch into many different directions. Why… because I’m a mulitopotentialite. If you don’t know what that means then slip on on over to where I explain what it is and how it affects my life. Click here

Over the years being able adjusts learn and perfect certain skills had prepared me for an important email. This email came from a company that was about 3 years old at the time but making some big waves. I got an email from Airbnb staff who had seen my website and saw some potential in what I was doing. They asked if I would become a freelance photographer for their company in the Bahamas.

Knowing a bit about the vacation rental industry I knew this would be a good time to jump on board. That was over 6 years ago. Over the years talking with the company one thing remained at the for front of their success. Great images get more views hence more bookings. This was such a strong mantra for the company that they started offering the service free of charge to Airbnb Host. “I betcha didn’t know that”

Over the years they changed their policies and upgraded the criteria of which photographers captured listings but they continued to push better photos for vacation property owners on their website. Why do you think that is? Simple economic. If you increase your bookings by sheer numbers they increase their income they collect from each booking. Duh.

So why would you think that photography is not worth it?

The market knows what it wants, which means if you don’t know what makes a consumer or a potential customer to your vacation rental you will think that you are doing a good job. Problem is your not and you are leaving alot of money on the table.

The biggest issue that many persons to not realize is that in 2018 there are over 300 vacation rentals on New Providence alone. Over 300, which means you have your work cut out for yourself. Ive seen host cut cost hoping to undercut others in their area but that never really works, you only end up with more stress and issues and before long you will be out of the game.

Ill keep it simple for you to remember. You are kidding yourself with those dark cell phone images, with crooked walls and no plan to the layout. If you are comfortable with your bookings and its enough or more than you need to handle then fine this post is not for your. However if you are struggling to get bookings or the bookings are far between then its time to change your approach. The first thing you need to do is to get professional photos taken of your listing.