Shoot Preparation
How to Prepare Your Holiday Let for a Professional Photography Shoot
The best property photography starts before the camera comes out. A well-prepared holiday let is easier to photograph, looks more considered and helps the final gallery feel cleaner, brighter and more inviting.
Preparing a holiday let for photography is not the same as preparing it for a guest changeover. A clean property can still photograph poorly if surfaces are busy, beds are uneven, cables are visible, bins are in shot or furniture blocks the room flow.
The aim is to make the property look guest-ready, calm and easy to understand. You are not trying to create an unrealistic showroom. You are removing the small distractions that make images feel less premium than the property really is.
The rule of preparation
Anything visible in the photograph becomes part of the marketing. If it does not help the guest understand the stay, remove it, straighten it or replace it with something more deliberate.
Prepare the property like a guest is arriving
Start with the essentials: clean floors, clean surfaces, polished taps, clear mirrors, fresh bedding, tidy cushions, empty bins, hidden cleaning products and uncluttered worktops. Then walk through the property at camera height and look for distractions.
Small details matter because the camera freezes them. A twisted blind, a trailing cable, a half-open cupboard, a creased duvet or a visible mop can pull attention away from the room. Fixing these before the shoot is faster than correcting them in editing.
Room-by-room preparation
| Room | Do before the shoot | Remove or hide |
|---|---|---|
| Kitchen | Clear worktops, clean appliances, align stools, add one simple lifestyle touch. | Washing-up liquid, dishcloths, bins, packaging and fridge magnets. |
| Living room | Straighten cushions, hide remotes, arrange throws naturally, clear coffee tables. | Loose cables, personal items, old magazines and excessive ornaments. |
| Bedrooms | Steam bedding, align pillows, clear bedside tables, open curtains evenly. | Laundry baskets, chargers, personal toiletries and spare bedding piles. |
| Bathrooms | Polish mirrors and taps, fold towels, close toilet lids, clear shower shelves. | Toothbrushes, cleaning products, half-used bottles and bath mats if tired. |
| Exterior | Sweep paths, arrange seating, clean glass, remove bins if possible. | Hoses, toys, dead plants, cars blocking the main view and cluttered storage. |
Clear first, then add back deliberately
The strongest interiors usually start with reduction. Remove visual noise, then add back one or two believable guest-ready details: a coffee setup, fresh flowers, folded towels, local guidebook, simple breakfast tray or neatly arranged outdoor seating.
Do not over-style. Too many props can make a holiday let feel artificial or distract from the actual accommodation. The property should look ready to use, not like a shop display.
Quick pre-shoot checklist
- Open curtains and blinds evenly before the photographer arrives.
- Replace dead bulbs and avoid mixed warm/cool lamps in the same room where possible.
- Make beds tightly and check them from the doorway, not only up close.
- Hide bins, cleaning products, extension leads and guest paperwork unless relevant.
- Clear cars from driveways if the exterior or parking needs to be photographed.
Think about the route through the property
A good shoot often follows how a guest experiences the stay: arrival, living space, kitchen, dining, bedrooms, bathrooms, outdoor areas and details. Preparation should support that route. Make sure doors can open fully, rugs are straight, chairs do not block movement, and spaces feel connected.
If a room has a known weak point, do not ignore it. Prepare it carefully. A small bathroom, narrow bedroom or dark hallway can still photograph well if it is clean, uncluttered and lit appropriately.
The final hour before the shoot
Walk the edges
Check skirting boards, corners, bins, cables, shoes, bags, pet bowls and cleaning items.
Check reflections
Mirrors, glass doors, ovens and shower screens often reveal clutter outside the main frame.
Reset surfaces
Worktops, bedside tables and coffee tables should look intentional, not recently used.
Prepare outside
Outdoor spaces should look usable: cushions out, chairs aligned, tables cleaned and plants tidied.
Sources and further reading
These references are included for context only. Preparation needs vary by property, season, guest type and the intended use of the images.
- Airbnb Help Centre: taking great photos of your listing — Airbnb advises hosts to clean and stage spaces before taking listing photos.
