Photography and 360° tours for holiday rentals: what to do

A holiday-rental listing wins bookings with clear images: bright photos of every room, the view and the surroundings, and a 360° tour that lets guests visit the property before booking. What matters most is showing the property as it really is.

What to photograph

1. The entrance and the façade, so guests recognise the place on arrival.
2. The living room and common areas, in natural light.
3. Every bedroom, with the bed made, and every bathroom.
4. The kitchen and the equipment guests will use.
5. The views, balconies and terraces.
6. The surroundings: the street, viewpoints, transport. Aerial images help, where the law allows flying.
7. The details that set you apart, such as breakfast, bed linen or extras.

Preparing the property

• Clean and tidy everything, and remove personal items.
• Open curtains and blinds and use natural light.
• Choose the time of day when the house has the most light.
• Adjust small details: cushions, towels and plants.

The 360° tour: what it is for

The tour shows the real layout of the space and answers questions before the guest writes. Use it on your direct-booking website and on your Google profile. Not every booking platform accepts 360°, so check where you can publish it.

Common mistakes

• A lens that is too wide, which distorts rooms and creates wrong expectations.
• Dark, blurry or outdated photos.
• Stock photos or photos of another property.
• Hiding defects. They tend to appear later in the reviews.
• Showing identifiable people or neighbouring houses without care for privacy.

How many photos?

One good image of each room and each important area. It is better to have fewer good photos than many weak ones.

Questions to ask your photographer

1. Can you show examples of properties similar to mine?
2. Do you have equipment for photography, 360° tours and aerial images?
3. If you use a drone, are you registered as an operator with ANAC and do you have the necessary insurance?
4. Where and for how long can I use the images?
5. What is the delivery time?

Usage rights

Confirm in writing where you can use the images (listings, website, social media) and for how long. That way you avoid surprises when you change platform or supplier.