Guests decide in seconds. They scroll a grid of listings, and the cover photo and the first few images decide whether they tap on yours or keep going. Good photos are one of the easiest wins a host can make, and they keep working for every booking after.
I photograph Airbnbs, short lets and serviced accommodation across Liverpool, and this is the shot list I plan around. Use it for your next shoot, whether I am behind the camera or not.
The short version
- Nail the cover photo. Your brightest, widest, most inviting room.
- Tell the story in order. Arrive, relax, cook, sleep, wash.
- Show every bed. Guests want to know exactly where they will sleep.
- Add the details. Coffee machine, fresh towels, the view from the window.
- Style it like a guest has just arrived. Welcoming, not lived in.
1. The cover photo
This is the image that appears in search, so it has to earn the tap on its own. It is usually the living space or the best bedroom, shot wide, bright and straight, with something that says why your place is special. A view of the waterfront, exposed brick in a Baltic Triangle apartment, a big bay window in a Georgian townhouse. Choose the room that makes people say “oh, nice”.
2. The first five images
After the cover, guests usually look at the next handful before deciding. Lead with your strongest rooms: living space, main bedroom, kitchen, bathroom, then the standout feature. Save the smaller rooms and details for later in the set.
3. Every bed, clearly
If you sleep six, guests want to see where all six go. Each bedroom gets a clear wide shot showing the whole bed, plus sofa beds shown made up if they count towards your guest numbers. It saves questions and avoids surprises on arrival.
4. Kitchens and bathrooms
These are the rooms guests judge cleanliness on. Clear worktops, a couple of nice touches like a bowl of fruit or a coffee set up, fresh folded towels and nothing personal on show. Bright, clean and simple wins every time.
5. The details that sell the stay
Close up shots of the little things make a listing feel cared for: the coffee machine, the smart TV, crisp bedding, the welcome basket, a desk for remote workers, the balcony at sunset. These are the photos that help your listing stand out from the flat next door.
6. Outside and the neighbourhood
The building entrance, parking, a garden or terrace, and the view. If you are ten minutes from the Albert Dock or round the corner from Bold Street, a photo that hints at it helps guests picture the trip, not just the room.
7. Video and vertical clips
Short vertical clips for Instagram Reels and TikTok are brilliant for direct bookings and for getting your place in front of new guests. I can film them on the same visit as the photos, so one shoot gives you your listing images and your social content.
Your Airbnb shot list
Must have shots
- Cover photo of your best room
- Living space from two angles
- Every bedroom, showing the whole bed
- Kitchen and dining area
- Every bathroom
- Building entrance or exterior
The extras that sell it
- Coffee, towels and welcome touches
- Views, balconies and outdoor space
- Workspace, TV and anything guests search for
- Vertical clips for Reels and TikTok
Questions hosts ask
How many photos should an Airbnb listing have?
Enough to show every room a guest will use at least once, plus the details that make your place special. Quality beats quantity, so a tight, well ordered set works better than lots of similar shots. I will suggest a shot list for your place when you book.
Should I style the place myself before the shoot?
Get it clean and guest ready, exactly as you would for a check in, and leave the fine tuning to me. I move cushions, straighten bedding and add small touches on the day so every room looks its best.
Can you shoot several units in one visit?
Yes. If you run a few apartments or a serviced accommodation block, I can shoot them back to back to the same style, so every listing looks like it belongs to the same brand.
More guides for landlords, agents and hosts: How to prepare your property for a photoshoot and Questions to ask before booking a property photographer.
Got a property to shoot?
Send me the address and let’s get it looking its best
Tell me the property, the number of rooms and your deadline, and I will come back with availability and a clear quote.