Lesson: Choosing and Directing the Right Photographer
Module 7: OwnerRez - Description and Photos
A professional photographer is not automatically the right one for a short-term rental. Real-estate photos aim to get buyers to an inspection, while booking photos must sell nights for years without a visit, so they need to be wide, complete and honest. Choosing well means asking the right questions, briefing the photographer in writing, preparing the property and checking every delivery.
What this lesson covers
- The illusion of “one and done”
- Not all professionals shoot the same way
- Real-estate photography vs booking photography
- How to choose a photographer: questions and red flags
- Where to find a booking-focused photographer
- Comparing quotes and getting the usage rights right
- Who owns the photos?
- Build a photo library you can test
- Why it may take 1–5 photographers
- Prepare the property: the pre-shoot checklist
The full lesson is for clients
Clients get every step, the live walkthrough videos and our exact settings and templates from Skye’s Beach House.
Questions people ask
What is the difference between real estate and Airbnb photography?
Real-estate photography is designed to attract buyers to an inspection, while Airbnb photography has to show guests everything they are booking, room by room, with no visit beforehand.
What are red flags when hiring an Airbnb photographer?
Warning signs include a portfolio of moody close-ups, reluctance to follow a shot list, a very small number of final images, heavy HDR or fisheye distortion, and virtual staging of furniture you do not have.
Do drone photos need approval in Australia?
Drone photography in Australia must follow CASA rules, and commercial operators generally need the appropriate licence or certification, so check this when hiring a photographer.
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