Airbnb Photo Shoot Checklist: How to Prep Your Rental

A good Airbnb photo shoot is mostly decided the day before the photographer arrives. This is the room-by-room list we wish every host had in hand. Our longer home prep guide has the same ideas in a printable format.

Two days before: the decisions

• Decide the guest count you are selling and make sure the beds match it.

• Book your cleaner for the morning of the shoot or the day before.

• Pick the amenities you want featured: pool, spa, grill, game room, bikes, putting green.

• Check that the pool equipment, lights and spa work, and that any mowing, pressure washing or pool service is done.

• Tell guests staying the night before to check out in time. A shoot with occupied rooms is a shoot with fewer rooms.

Living room and kitchen

Clear the surfaces. Counters should hold the coffee maker, maybe a bowl of fruit and nothing else. Hide the dish rack, sponge, trash can, dish soap, paper towels and the pile of manuals. Fluff the sofa pillows, fold the throws and remove cords that dangle from the TV. Straighten chairs so they face the same way.

Smart-home screens and televisions: turn the TV off, or if you want a frame with a display on, set it to a simple, neutral scene. Hide voice speakers and their blinking lights, and clear any app notification on wall-mounted tablets. Thermostats should show a normal temperature, not an alert.

Bedrooms

Make every bed tight and square. Use matching pillows, a folded throw at the foot, and no wrinkles. Remove laundry baskets, chargers and nightstand clutter. Sleeper sofas and bunks count as beds, so make those up too, because guests will look for them. Open the blinds and turn on all lamps.

Bathrooms

This is where a lot of hosts lose points. Wipe the mirrors and glass shower door, put away the toilet brush and plunger, close the lid, and hang towels evenly or rolled on a shelf. Remove toiletry bottles from the tub and shower. Leave out one tidy soap and a plant at most.

Linens and the guest welcome

Fresh, ironed white or light linens read cleanest in photos. Stage towels the way a guest finds them: a stack on the bed or neat towel rings. Skip anything that looks like a hotel marketing prop. A simple welcome note on the counter is fine, but keep it off the main frame.

Personal items

Take down family photos, mail, medications, prescription bottles and anything with your name or address. If you live part-time in the house, clear the closets we need to open and lock away valuables. Remove pet bowls, litter boxes and pet beds for the shoot.

Pool, lanai and outdoor areas

• Skim and brush the pool the day before. Turn on the pool and spa lights if we are shooting near dusk.

• Arrange loungers evenly and put out towels only if they match.

• Wipe down patio furniture and sweep the lanai, since pollen and sand show up in the photo.

• Clean the grill and put the cover away. Hide hoses, pool toys, nets and chemicals.

• Close umbrellas unless the shade is the point of the photo.

• Set tables simply: a pitcher and glasses at most.

For beach rentals, add a note on sand: sweep entry stoops and rinse the outdoor shower area so the frame looks clean.

Parking and the front of the house

Move all vehicles that are not part of the story, including your own. Put trash and recycling bins out of sight, coil hoses, and clear the driveway so we can show how many cars fit. A swept entry and working porch lights make the exterior shot better, especially if we are also doing twilight. If you have a keypad or smart lock, make sure it is clean and the battery is fine, since it will be in the shot.

The last 30 minutes

Do a walk-through with your phone camera. You will spot cords, stains and crooked art that the eye ignores in daily life. Turn on all lights, open blinds and curtains, and set ceiling fans to off, which avoids blur in photos. Then step outside and leave the photographer to work. We shoot interior, exterior and aerial photos in one visit and will tell you if a room needs a quick fix.

Not sure what shot list to expect? Read our guide on Airbnb and VRBO photography in Tampa Bay, or see how our Airbnb and VRBO photography service works.

Questions we get about prepping for an Airbnb shoot

Do I need to stage my rental myself before the photographer arrives?

Prepping is the host's job: cleaning, clearing surfaces and making beds. We arrange the frames and make small adjustments on site, such as straightening pillows or moving a chair for the angle.

Should guests be in the house during the shoot?

No. Photos go faster and look better in an empty, fully reset property, so schedule the shoot between stays.

What should I do about smart-home devices and TVs?

Turn TVs off or set them to a neutral screen, hide speaker lights, and clear notifications on wall tablets. Thermostats should show a normal reading.

How long does an Airbnb shoot take?

It depends on the home's size and the number of rooms and outdoor areas. Photos are delivered with a 24-hour turnaround after the shoot.

How much does Airbnb photography cost?

It starts at $250 for 0-1,000 sq ft, $300 for 1,001-2,000, $400 for 2,001-3,000 and $500 for 3,001-4,000. See the pricing page, or contact us to book.