Airbnb photography

[Goga0]

Hi 

just started hosting in July 2016 and tried to apply for professional Airbnb photographer. Everytime I applied I've got an automated message that the photographer is not available in my town (Ljubljana, Slovenia, Europe). I know that is not true, since I got a phone number of a professional airbnb photographer who did the shots for a friend which started hosting just two weeks before me. I've contacted him and he said he has to be send by Airbnb. If Airbnb does not send him to our listing, he can do it anyway but he will charge us.

I tried to reslove this issue with Airbnb costumer service and they just sent me an automated response, copy-pasted from their blogs and articles, evethough I explained the situation.  In short, nothing useful and REALLY bad costumer service... However, I've been trying to apply again every now and then (every week or so I send a request) and the answer is always the same- there are no photographers available. For two months now??? Really??? Well that's really professional!!! My husband, which has an Iphone app even gets the answer that we have reached the limit for listings for free professional photography (limit is 4 listings, we only have 1). WTF???  I really think this is a discrimination of hosts in the same city! 

Excuse my french, but that issue really pissed me off!

Does anybody has the same experience?

Thank you,

Goga

[Ash-and-Dasha0]

That photographer might not want to take assignments thru airbnb anymore and there are no other photographers available. Just get a better camera and take pics yourself. It'll be easier on you long term. Airbnb doesn't owe you a photographer session, so don't feel descriminated or offended. 

[Ashley-And-Chris0]

I agree, just use your own cell phone camera. It will save you time and let you start earning money sooner. There's a great webinar on this site to know what to take pictures of. I'll help sum it up, take about 3 pictures of each room (bedroom, kitchen, bathroom, backyard) from different views. Also take pictures of the ammenties that you provide. Towels, coffee pot, "extras" we do a basket of bandaids, toothbrushes, $1 razors, things like that.

[Gary351]

If you do use a cell phone, please photograph in Landscape mode, not portrait, for any shots that are intended to show the space. Portrait (vertical) shots are OK for really small spaces, like bathrooms, or to show amenities.

[Nick-And-Angie0]

I am super frustrated as I have been requesting a photographer since June!! Keep getting the automated response! Not cool! 😡

[Ash-and-Dasha0]

Airbnb does it as a curtesy in areas where there are photographers who want to undertake such an assignment. Airbnb doesn't pay much to such photographers. And many of them are not good at all. We ended up getting a DSLR camera and a wide-angle lens for airbnb listings and other rentals. It is way better than relying on airbnb to take pics for you. 

[Nuremberg0]

Hi Goga, 

I have used the profesional photography service. Actually I have done it in one of our listings. To be fair the listing has changed quite a lot since the first moment I listed and the photos are out of date. After using it you can not request the service for the same listing. I will recommend you to wait as long as possible to as for the service. It wont change a lot. If your concern is to have your listing in better search position. Updated calendar and prices are the most important. 

Rg

Sebastian

[Daniel-and-Marsio0]

I am also still waiting for a photographer to become 'available' - in MILAN of all places. No photographers here of course!!!

My friend is also waiting for a photographer to capture his listing.

What is even more frustrating is that when you follow the links to apply for the position as photographer you get this message:

"Job not found

The job you are trying to access is either no longer available, or doesn't exist. Try looking for another job on one of these pages: Departments or Locations"

- not helpful!

Of course, I have taken my own photos. But, the ones done by the professional photographers are always much better. They always have a great flash and wide-angles lenses, not to mention a good eye for composition.

I appreciate that we are not 'owed' a photography service, but we ARE offered it and it is not forthcoming in a reasonable length of time. Airbnb stresses time and time again how important good photographs are. It is in THEIR interest as well as ours to have the best phptgraphed places.

[Helen3]

In your situation I would just employ a freelance who specialises in homes and architecture to take your shots . Stops you getting frustrated and you then own the copyright so can use them to promote your listing through other media.

[Gary351]

I am an Airbnb photographer, and I have had hosts for whom I had photographed Airbnb listings before, be told that there is no available photographer for their area, even though the new listing was a mile away from the one I photographed a year before.  This lack of knowledge of available photographers by Airbnb persons who assign photo shoots is frustrating for hosts as well as photographers.