Some Host dont know a good Photo if it hit them on the Head,

[Sudsrung0]

OK, guys time to get down to business follow me or not, I do try and help you guys with info,

I did hear one guy say most host are lazy there is some truth in that,

Bye the way Mods if this is in the wrong place please feel free to move it, 

I look through lots of you guys profiles and I do search for my own info on airbnb and I have to say some of your photo's are depressing it's like you have not given one once of thought before you uploaded them, you have not researched other profiles,

I have heard it said "Do not use your Phone to take photo's" right or wrong I dont know, but that also depends on which phone you have,

Ok I understand maybe some people cant afford to pay a professional to take them at least borrow a camera, 

Did you know 60% of guest look through your photo's first..........? Did you also know there is a certain time of the day to take photo's.......? Maybe not!

For me it's about 2pm in the afternoon when the sun is going down in the east.

I did some searching for a video for you guys there is definitely some good tips in here for you, So use them.

http://bit.ly/3F5Fw3B 

[Elaine701]

@Sudsrung0 

I agree that some hosts are a bit lax about the quality of photos or the light in which they're shot. 

But there's also a negative effect of having photos that are "too good". If your photos look better than your place looks in real life, then you can expect guests to be disappointed and then you'll receive disappointing reviews. 

Underpromise, overdeliver. 

There is a strategy employed by seasoned estate agents when selling houses. It works for STRs too. (I learned this from an estate agent). 

Surely your photos need to look attractive, but it's always wise to place a few strategic imperfections. e.g., don't necessarily shoot them in the perfect light. Leave a little clutter (not too much). Avoid making the space look bigger than it is... etc. And tone down the photo colour intensity ...just slightly.

Also, don't photograph every attractive thing in the house. Leave a few pleasant surprises for them to discover on arrival. Nice artworks, amenities, etc. 

Then, always make sure the place is organised, uncluttered, and cleaned to perfection when guests arrive. And that it looks bigger and more spacious in real life. And even the colours are more vibrant. 

The impact isn't conscious at all... all they sense is that it "feels better" than they expected (and that sets the tone for their entire stay). It's a subtle thing, but you'd be surprised what a difference it can make. 

But you're correct.. really bad photos will just drive them elsewhere from the beginning. They'll never see what it really looks like. 

[Sudsrung0]

@Elaine701 

Thanks for your input just what we need, you mention some good things that people can try,

Answer me this when you say you dont want the photo's to look that good,

My photo's on my computer look far superior to what they look like on airbnb so if you dont take good photo's or with a cheap phone they will look even worse when you upload them, 

What it is Im not an expert is it the resolution? when you transfer to airbnb, they even look better on FB, 

[Lorna170]

@Sudsrung0   I know that you are trying to be helpful and want to give hosts some advice about their listings, but lets be honest.  How many hosts have the artistic ability to take good pictures?  

I take pictures of my properties over and over and over, trying to get the best light, the best angle, the best season, etc.  20 years worth.... updated all the time.

AirBnB hosts typically rented rooms in their homes as a means to make some extra money.  They are not (usually) real estate professionals with multiple properties and access to professional real estate photographers.  They do the best they can with their phones or digital cameras that have automatic settings.  Then the host has to figure out how to get the pictures on the platform at the best resolution, loading quickly, and in a sensible order.  If they are lucky, the pictures look good...but sometimes they are upside down.

So yes, recommend that they do better and to keep retaking their pictures until they find good ones -- but don't call us lazy.

[Sudsrung0]

@Lorna170 

I didnt call you lazy, 

You have to admit you see lots and lots of host asking for help not just here but on other forums, Then they do nothing about it, 

[Gillian166]

---

@Elaine701 wrote:

Underpromise, overdeliver. 

---

100% agree this is so important! I cringe at flowery language that promises too much, and words like "luxurious"* or "gourmet kitchen" which are quite subjective. And even though I am a photographer I am not an interiors photographer, that is quite specialised, so IMHO my photos are pretty ordinary (ok, there's a few that are better than that), and i'm quite comfortable that I am underpromising. I've studied, I know the theory, i've even been hired to do some interiors shoots, but for some reason I'm not great at it, probably because I hate wide angle stuff that isn't landscapes. it just looks weird to me and I cannot make it look nice. but hey, hire me! haha. I've actually done 2 shoots for other hosts.... and I think my more natural style is a better choice than super fake RE style photos. what is nice is being able to balance the light, and not have blown out highlights through windows, that makes a big difference. 

In fact, I've had quite a few guests say "the photos don't do it justice" and I try not to let my poor photographer's ego be a little crushed. 🤣

*. @Sudsrung0  your place is luxury, it works for you!  i've used the word "stylish" only after many guests using that word in reviews and messaging. 

[Sudsrung0]

Based on some of Sean's tips I've made a couple of changes to my photo's, Let me know what you think, https://airbnb.com/h/saturdaysrawai 

[Gillian166]

@Sudsrung0  👍🏼 now you have a nice range. although your first 3 are variations of the same space. I'd put the bathtub one in your top 5. 

[Sybe]

@Sudsrung0 You're on the right board for this topic, although I did add a tag to make your post a bit more specific! 😉

[Fred13]

An interesting point on photography is that it is oftentimes best to include photographs that only partially show a room, area or feature, leaving the non-shown to the imagination. In this way they provide opportunity for pleasant surprises for the guests.

[Sybe]

@Fred13 Very interesting thought indeed! Do you think it also makes it more likely the guest books your place? I'm thinking if the guest is already imagining (or trying to imagine) what the rest of the room looks like, they might also already imagine themselves being on holiday in that room. 

[Fred13]

That is the theory, that it is easier for the 'imaginer' to enter the picture. The highest quality need not be spared, but It is 'safer' not to show too much so  the guest doesn't feel something is missing if the host changes things around.