Siesta Key and Longboat Key Vacation Rental Photography

Siesta Key and Longboat Key are neighboring barrier islands on Florida's Gulf Coast, and we photograph vacation rentals on both. Standalone Airbnb photography starts at $250 for up to 1,000 sq ft, with a 24-hour turnaround. The two keys draw different guests and need different preparation, so here is how we approach each.

How the two keys sit

Longboat Key is the longer island, stretching along the Gulf between Sarasota Bay and the Gulf of Mexico, and it spans parts of both Manatee and Sarasota counties. Siesta Key lies south of it, in Sarasota County, with Lido Key and the Sarasota area in between. Both are reached by bridge from the mainland side, and both face west to the Gulf, so sunsets over the water are part of the appeal. Check your city or county short-term-rental rules before listing, since they differ by jurisdiction.

Siesta Key: beach days and a walkable village

Siesta Key is known for Siesta Beach, famous for its fine, pale quartz sand, and for Siesta Key Village, a walkable cluster of shops and restaurants near the beach. Guests who book here often want to leave the car parked, so photos should answer how close the house or condo is to the beach and the village. Whether you are a short walk or a short drive, a wide exterior and a clear aerial help set expectations.

If your Siesta Key rental is a cottage, condo or duplex, that changes how we shoot:

• Small rooms need wide, level frames so they feel true to size without distortion.

• Screened lanais and courtyards get their own photos, since outdoor living is the main extra square footage.

• Beach gear storage, outdoor showers and bike racks belong in the gallery.

• Bright white walls and sand-colored exteriors need careful exposure around midday.

For hosts with a condo or townhouse, check that your association allows photographing common areas, pool and walkways before the shoot day, and move any visible owner items.

Longboat Key: quiet, spread-out and waterfront

Longboat Key is generally quieter, with a long stretch of beachfront buildings and canal-front homes. Guests booking here are often looking for a calm, well-appointed place for a week or more, and larger homes with pools, docks and multiple bedrooms are common. The photos should reflect that: the dock and water access, the pool and lanai, and the master suite or bedroom layout.

• For canal or bay-side homes, a twilight or dusk exterior with the dock and house lights is a strong lead image.

• For Gulf-front condos, the balcony view is the hero shot, so the timing of the shoot matters.

• For bigger homes, plan extra photos and a floor plan, because guests count bedrooms.

Timing both shoots

Because both islands face the Gulf on their western side, Gulf-facing rooms behave the same way on each: bright afternoon windows, softer light earlier in the day. Our guide on Gulf light, glare and sunsets explains how we schedule around it. If you manage several homes across both keys, tell us the addresses and we will group them by area.

Prep: one list, two emphasis

The basics are identical for both keys: clean, clear, bright. Use the room-by-room prep checklist and the home prep guide. On Siesta Key, add a sweep of sand from entries and a wipe of sliding doors. On Longboat Key, add a pool and dock check: skimmed pool, tidy boat lift, hidden hoses and neat outdoor furniture.

Travel and pricing

We are based in South Tampa, and both keys fall outside the free travel radius. Travel is the first 30 miles free, then $15 per 10 miles, rounded down to the nearest 10, calculated round trip from South Tampa. We do not quote an exact figure here: it is calculated on the pricing page formula and confirmed when you book. Photo prices are by square footage and listed on the pricing page. If you are shooting several units on the same trip, tell us so we can plan the schedule.

See the dedicated pages for the Siesta Key Airbnb photographer and the Longboat Key Airbnb photographer. For a real nearby example, our Sarasota Airbnb home project shows what a Sarasota-area rental gallery looks like.

Questions we get about Siesta Key and Longboat Key rentals

Do you photograph vacation rentals on Siesta Key?

Yes. We shoot Airbnb and VRBO properties on Siesta Key with standalone photography from $250 for up to 1,000 sq ft, plus travel calculated from South Tampa.

Do you also cover Longboat Key?

Yes, Longboat Key is part of our Gulf Coast coverage. Pricing is by square footage, and travel is confirmed when you book.

Is Siesta Key part of Sarasota?

Siesta Key is a barrier island in Sarasota County, just southwest of the city of Sarasota, connected by bridges.

How should a condo owner prepare for the shoot?

Confirm your association's rules about photographing common areas, clear personal items, make beds, and sweep the balcony or lanai. We cover the rest in the prep checklist.

Can I book shoots for properties on both keys on the same day?

Contact us with the addresses and we will plan the schedule. Availability depends on property sizes and the day. Contact us here.