Photography

How to find, select, and coordinate with a professional photographer

  • Determine your budget:
    • Decide how much you are willing to spend on professional photography for your vacation rental property. Remember, this is an investment in your listing success! The cost is highly variable and subject to the local market, the size of your home, and other factors. You should expect to pay around $700 – $2,500 depending on all of the above.
  • Research photographers:
    • Use online directories or ask for referrals from other vacation rental owners to find photographers who specialize in real estate photography.
    • Look up some homes for sale in your area and contact the real estate agent for a referral on those listings that catch your eye. 
  • Review their portfolio:
    • Look at the photographer’s portfolio to see if their style matches the look and feel you want for your vacation rental property.
    • Make sure they are able to take both exterior and interior photos. 
  • Check their availability:
    • Check with the photographer to ensure they are available on the date you need the photos taken. 
  • Discuss your needs:
    • Have a conversation with the photographer to discuss your needs, including what areas of the property you want photographed (ideally everywhere a guest will have access), the number of photos you need, and any specific shots or angles you want captured.
    • Setting expectations from the start will save everyone from unnecessary frustration and disappointment.
  • Editing and Photo Size:
    • Ensure your photographer provides an editing service and that files are provided in both a usable format and at high resolution. 
    • Most patforms recommend 3840 x 2160 pixels or higher and a minimum size of 1024 x 683 pixels. JPEG files are the norm.
  • Discuss the timeline:
    • Discuss the timeline for when you need the photos, including the date they will be taken and when you can expect to receive the final edited images.
  • Review the contract:
    • Review the photographer’s contract carefully to ensure it covers all the details you discussed and includes the scope of work, payment terms, ownership of the photos, and delivery of the final photos.
  • Provide feedback:
    • Review the photos and provide feedback to the photographer if there are any shots that need to be re-taken or if any additional shots are needed. If you choose the right photographer, you’ll likely be able to skip this step! 

Questions to ask when selecting a photographer

  • How many years of experience do you have in real estate photography?
  • Can you provide examples of vacation rental properties you have photographed?
  • What is your availability?
  • What is your pricing structure?
  • How many photos do you typically provide?
  • Can you provide a timeline for when the final edited images will be delivered?
  • What equipment do you use for real estate photography?
  • Do you provide any additional services such as photo editing, drone photography, or virtual tours?
  • How do you handle unexpected circumstances such as bad weather?
  • Can you provide references from past clients?
  • What file type/size are the edited photos provided in?
Setting Up Your Space