AirBnB vs. Booking.com property photos: What's the difference?
Okay so this blog is all about answering this key question:
What is the different requirements for photographs between AirBnB and Booking.com!
First, lets do a quick run through about why property photography is a useful tool..
Photography serves as a potent means of communication across all its diverse genres. Capturing a moment in a photograph unveils a narrative of individuals, surroundings, fauna, or sceneries. Research indicates that engaging in photography enhances one's visual recollection of past experiences.
Let’s not forget the famouse quote!
A picture is worth a thousand words!
Capturing photos of your property is important for attracting guests. Professional images help bring in more inquiries. Here's how a property photoshoot works:
Initial chat. We can talk in person, on the phone, or through Zoom. I'll ask about your goals and the type of photos you want. This will help me understand you, your project needs, and your style or brand better.
When you schedule a session with me, I'll give you a photography contract to confirm your spot for the photo shoot and editing.
Shoot Brief/Shot list: Make a detailed list of all the shots you want before we start shooting. I can help you make this list and make sure everything goes smoothly. If you already know what you want, you can share your list with me.
On shoot day, I aim to make the photo session calm, enjoyable, and stress-free. Planning ahead is key, so we can work together smoothly and efficiently with a list of photos needed.
I will pick out the best photos from our photo session, edit them, and make a private online gallery with both high and low-resolution images for you to download. You'll get an email with a link to the gallery to view and pick your favorite pictures.
This provides a brief overview of the process. I will now discuss the requirements for holiday rental websites.
Let’s get started with this list of things to consider, to help in preparation
Freshly made beds
Tidy surface
Spotless carpets and flooring
No laundry showing
No wires and cables visible
Include any in-room amenities - Tea & coffee, welcome pack
Clean mirrors
Spotless showers/bathtub
Shower curtains open
No tissues, toilet paper or bins visible
Closed toilet lids
AIRBNB REQUIREMENTS:
Set the scene: For a spacious and inviting look, make sure the space is clean and free of clutter.
Daylight works best: Open the blinds and turn on the lights to brighten your space.
Use landscape format: Photos in search results are all displayed in landscape – vertical photos won’t showcase your space as well.
Upload the right resolution: Use photos that are at least 1024px x 683px. When in doubt, a bigger photo is better.
Show off unique amenities: Guests love to stay in spaces with character, so call attention to details like a fireplace, artwork or a garden barbecue.
Highlight accessibility features: Emphasise things that are helpful to guests with limited mobility, such as wide doorways, step-free floors and grab rails. Learn more about which features qualify and the best way to photograph them.
I've included a PDF guide called "Homes Host Pro Photo Guidelines" for you to download from the Airbnb website. It will assist in improving your photography skills.
Set-up will be to photograph rooms to keeps within AirBnb requirements
These images will be of each room
The rooms will be clear and bright
These photosgraphs will be taken with curtains open and ambient lighting turned OFF
Make sure these are removed from bed - towels, stuffed animals, bed runners, flowers, and any other additional decorative items from beds.
Remove all family portraits and personal items
Photograph in-room amenities (Welcome pack)
Landscape format
Shooting requirements
– The minimum resolution size is 480 x 720 px at 72dpi. Each photo should be at least 1024px x 683px.
– Do not create a collage of multiple photos. Each photo must be an individual image.
– Avoid using heavy filters such as black & white or sepia. The more natural, the better!
– Photos must be clear, well-lit, and can’t be distorted.
– Texts & logos added to the images are prohibited by Airbnb.
BOOKING.COM REQUIREMENTS
Interior
Capture the essence of your property by taking detailed photos from various angles. Ensure to snap four photographs of every room or unit, along with a single image of the bathroom and toilet. This approach will offer a comprehensive visual showcase of your space, enticing potential viewers with a more thorough perspective.
Exterior
When booking a place to stay, travelers seek to view precise photos of the accommodation and its environs. It is crucial to capture crisp exterior images that display: The property's entrance, the building's facade concerning the street or its surroundings. This attention to detail enhances the booking experience for potential guests.
I've included a PDF guide called "Photo Guidelines" for you to download from the Booking,com website. It will assist in improving your photography skills.
Shooting requirements
Use a digital camera or smartphone that has a good camera.
Shoot landscape images (horizontal) only as these look best on our platform.
Photos must have a high resolution, at least 2048 x 1080 pixels but preferably 4000 x 3000 pixels.
Take a minimum of 10 photos.
Take pictures from a height of 100 to 160 cm.
Shoot from room corners to add perspective and depth to your images.
If you’re using 360° photos, the image should have a 2:1 aspect ratio (width must be double its height) and a minimum of 1280 x 900 pixels.
For both accommodation websites, avoid these mistakes.
Grainy or pixelated photos.
Blurry or tilt-shift photos.
Over-processed photos.
Photos with filters, strong contrast, over-saturations or excessive HDR.
Photo collages.
Watermarks or illustrations in photos.
Skewed, tilted, stretched or distorted photos.
Black-and-white photos.
Extreme wide-angle or fisheye lens photos.
The main question at hand involves a comparison between two websites that offer hosting accommodations. A crucial distinction lies in the photo criteria: Airbnb leans towards natural light images that highlight the interior of the spaces, whereas Booking.com requires tidy, unoccupied rooms with exterior views. Both platforms emphasize the amenities available and nearby attractions. Additionally, Airbnb tends to feature personal items belonging to guests and extra food offerings provided by hosts.
Thank you for checking out my blog and i hope this information helps with your understanding and the differences to consider.
Whats the next step?
Please email for more information about the blog content. INTERESTED TO KNOW MORE? Book a free introductory call with no pressure to discuss your brand and values. After our talk, I'll give you a customized quote and suggestions to match your brand. If you choose to move forward, we'll start working together.