Hi! Im looking for a good photographer in Muskoka for my air...
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Hi! Im looking for a good photographer in Muskoka for my airbnb. Can anyone pls share a contact?
Latest reply
Luv your place!
I like all the ideas you mention for running a successful Airbnb and l luv the photo of yourself in the listing photos – think that is a great idea! A few suggestions that could make your listing even better!
Real Estate Photographer vs Airbnb Photographer
If I had to guess, I would think the photographer you used is a Real Estate photographer and not an Airbnb photographer? There is a difference. Experienced Airbnb photographers want to capture what a guest can do, experience or feel in the space – not just take a good photo of the space itself. They aim to evoke emotion from the potential Airbnb guest viewing the photos like: “cozy”, “relaxing”, or “fun”. Some of the photos do have partial elements of that, but they could be improved. Some examples:
- Cover Photo
You have a great cover photo – but it could be so much better! An Airbnb photographer knows to make sure there is a fire going in the fireplace and the TV should be on showing the Netflix logo or maybe an image of the lake or other nature scene TV screen saver. You could have a bowl of popcorn on the table and a movie on the TV screen ready for "movie night" - you get the idea.
- Bathrooms
An Airbnb photographer would try to convey a relaxing spa feeling for your bathroom photos. Maybe a few fluffy white hand towels on the vanity and add the waffle robes you mention in the listing description?
- Dining Table
Should be set with placements dishes, glasses (wine glasses) cutlery, etc. so the guests can see themselves sitting down to enjoy a great meal at the table.
- Coffee Station
Guests love their morning coffee or tea! You just show an empty coffee pot on the counter? You are missing an easy opportunity to highlight you have everything they want for their morning coffee. I would stage a coffee station area. Add two coffee mugs with coffee in them, sugar/creamer container and maybe some assorted teas in a nice display. Then caption it “everything you’ll need for your morning coffee." On the deck I would stage that as well with an evening twilight shot with some wine glasses and also daytime with coffee mugs for morning coffee on the balcony/deck.
Below are some links to professional Airbnb photographer's website and will give you an idea of what you are aiming to convey on your listing:
https://www.zachnicholz.com/airbnb-promotion
https://www.emilykeeney.com/blog/seattle-whidbey-airbnb-interior-photographer-commercial
YouTube Video - Airbnb Photography
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2GftpgYan6w
Only One Exterior Photos Room
Exterior 2 photos of local area should be in additional photos (not Exterior 2 room). You should only have one room for Exterior photos and that should be for exterior photos of your property (not local area photos)
Drone Shots
Love drone shots! However, you have waaay too many and many are duplicates essentially. One drone shot to show your location in relation to the lake is enough – multiple shots of the same thing aren’t necessary and can be confusing. Maybe one drone shot of proximity to golf course and one showing ski resort. I would use this drone shot of the lake and add a text box and caption to all drone shots and mention the distance to the attraction (walk/drive).
If you use an arrow on the photo most hosts also add a text box to highlight how close they are to a popular local attraction (like the lake, golf course, ski resort). Aim for about 40-50 quality photos – you have 81. Guests make a booking decision probably on the first 20 photos, so make those count! 81 phots is just too many and some of your best most unique amenities will be missed by the guest, as many just stop scrolling and will never see all 81 photos.
Captions On ALL Photos
You have a great start on captions, but you need them on EVERY photo. Your local area photos should especially include a caption indicating what the attraction is, why guests might light to go there and what they can enjoy doing there. Also, how far away it is from your townhome.
Top 5 Photos
Your first 5 photos should be your best quality photos and highlight the most unique features of the listing. The local area photos you have there are not good quality and don’t really highlight the features of the listing itself or unique amenities. One unique thing is your proximity to the lake. Put one quality photo that highlights that in the top 5. The other 4 should highlight unique amenities of the property itself. I would use one of the photos below in your top 5 but use other photos of the listing for your other 4. Market research shows photos with water (lake, ocean, beach, river, stream, pool, hot tub) or sunrise/sunsets in them do very well on Airbnb. I would use one of the photos below in your top 5.
I might use this one below in the fall and the one above in summer
Min Stay – Occupancy vs Profitability
Full occupancy doesn’t always mean maximum revenue. Isn’t Incline Village a ski destination in winter? I would make your weekends a 3night min and allow 2night stays during the week. This will maximize revenue for your weekends. Aim for profitability not just occupancy. By requiring a 3night stay for weekends you are getting less turnover wear and tear, but more revenue.
Floor Plans – Blur Address
I like that you have added floor plans to the photos. However, for security reasons, I would blur or edit out the actual address of the property on them.
Don’t Respond Publicly to Private Guest Feedback
You have a 4-star review that you responded publicly to private feedback you received from the guest. Never respond publicly to a guest who has provided private feedback – you are just “airing dirty laundry in public”. The guest was kind enough to give you some feedback privately about the pet hair. No need to call attention to that in a public response so ALL future guests will see it. Absolutely message the guest privately and apologize, but don’t put it in your public response. It somewhat ruined what was otherwise a good guest review (although she gave you 4stars most likely due to the pet hair), but no need to let future guests know the reason publicly.
Wishing you much continued success!
