Vacation Rental Photos That Book

Updated October 19, 2026

Part of our series Let Others Pay for Your Vacation Home.

Photos are the first thing guests judge, and Airbnb says listing photos and videos are part of how it rates quality in search (Airbnb Help 39). Good news: you don't need fancy gear to get them right.

What the platforms say

Airbnb: - Help Center: use photos at least 1024 × 683 pixels, landscape format; "when in doubt, a bigger photo is better" (Airbnb Help 746). - Resource Center: aim for at least 1200 × 800 pixels, files up to about 10 MB; turn off the flash, open the blinds, shoot horizontally, keep the camera level, and mix wide, mid-range and close-up shots (Airbnb). - Photo tour: give every room or space at least one photo so it can appear in the tour (Airbnb Help 477).

Vrbo: Vrbo tells hosts that photo quality affects property views and that strong content helps visibility (Vrbo Help). We did not confirm a current published Vrbo minimum size or photo count; check the photo section of your Vrbo dashboard.

Prep the house first

☐ Deep clean ☐ clear counters and remove personal items ☐ make beds tight with matching linens ☐ fresh towels folded ☐ toilet lids down ☐ cords hidden ☐ every bulb working and the same color ☐ cars out of the driveway ☐ outdoor furniture and hot tub uncovered

Lighting

Shoot on a bright day, with blinds open and room lights on (Airbnb's own advice).
Avoid the flash.
For exteriors, many photographers prefer morning or late-afternoon light, and "twilight" shots for homes with good outdoor lighting (general practice, not a platform rule).

Shot list

Aim to cover every space, in the order a guest walks through:

Cover photo: your single best feature (the view, the hot tub, the front of the home). Airbnb notes search photos get cropped, so keep the subject centered.
Exterior: front, back and the approach.
Living room: a wide shot from a corner, plus one from the opposite corner.
Kitchen: wide shot and a detail (coffee setup, island seating).
Dining area.
Each bedroom: a wide shot showing the bed, plus a detail.
Each bathroom.
Special features: hot tub, game room, fireplace, workspace, EV charger, laundry.
Outdoor spaces: deck, yard, grill, fire pit.
Neighborhood: a beach, trail or view nearby, if it's genuinely close.
Accessibility features: step-free entry, grab bars, wide doorways, if you have them.

DIY or hire a pro?

	DIY with a phone	Professional photographer
Cost	Your time	Varies by market (no national price confirmed)
Best for	Small condos, quick updates	Larger homes, luxury, competitive markets
Watch for	Tilted angles, dark rooms	Over-wide lenses that make rooms look bigger than they are

Airbnb's Help Center points hosts to professional photography as an option (Airbnb Help 746). Whichever you choose, photos must be honest. A room that looks bigger online than in person invites a bad review (see our reviews guide).

Captions

Write a short caption for each photo: "Bedroom 1: king bed, mountain view." It helps guests understand the layout and backs up your listing description.

Related guides

Checked October 19, 2026.