Community : All Content - Photos

Staging and Professional Photography of your Vacation Home

community-no-reply@homeaway.com — Fri, 12 Apr 2013 22:21:34 GMT

We recently photographed a small condo in Honolulu for the owner. The photos below made a case for professional photography versus doing it yourself. While most of the homes we photograph are professionally designed and decorated, we still like to lightly stage each home we shoot.

As a photography company, we send vacation home owners a checklist to help them get a home ready for a photoshoot. Here are some tips to get your vacation home ready for a shoot.

Fix all nonfunctioning light fixtures. You would be surprised at how many bathroom light fixures have non-working bulbs.
Clean windows & screens, especially if there is a view.
Remove/hide:
- Miscellaneous items from kitchen counters.
- Refrigerator magnets
- Electrical cords
- Books & magazines
- Mow lawn
- Clean debris from pool
Staging:
- A few fresh flowers, fruits, or a plant here and there is a nice touch.
- More elaborate staging can be attempted if preferred. This can include setting tables with place settings, rearranging house plants for a good presentation, etc.

While we photographed this home for a homeowner who is looking to sell his home, the same rules apply to vacation rental photography. You can see a full screen showcase of this home here.

Owner Photo

Professional Photo

Owner Photo

Professional Photo

Owner Photo

Professional Photo

Owner Photo

Professional Photo

Owner Photo

Professional Photo

PanaViz is a a leading provider of high definition virtual tours, architectural photography, video production and destination content to vacation rental owners, management companies and booking sites in Hawaii and other travel destination in the United States

Photo Scraping

community-no-reply@homeaway.com — Sun, 07 Apr 2013 19:42:27 GMT

Does VRBO do anything if another homeowner at the same resort (ah hem #2603), scrapes off a copyrighted photo off of our site and claims it as their own? I've already gotten in touch with the photographer (my nephew). Does VRBO do anything about it, or is it a such is life thing?

Photo Of The Week

community-no-reply@homeaway.com — Sat, 30 Mar 2013 10:51:13 GMT

Cabin Rental Photography - Photo Of The Week - 18

We came across this photo on a thread on community.homeaway.com and we really like it on a lot of levels.

Here is the photo

It's caption reads "Your Kids + Snow + Cardboard Boxes = A Life Time of Memories." and what a great way to appeal to families looking for a winter vacation.

When putting a portfolio together, remember, it's not just shots of king beds or fitted kitchens that attract guests, it's also about selling dreams and connecting on an emotional level and it's images like this that convert web visitors into paying guests.

This photo is from Tommy Tailor's listing at http://www.homeaway.com/vacation-rental/p341147.

In our opinion Tommy writes some of the best photo captions out there.

See here for more on this subject

http://rentmoreweeks.com/2012/10/31/vacation-rental-reviews-part-4-captions/So head over to his page and look and learn at how he crafts his captions.

By way of winning our rental photo of the week we will be sending Tommy one of our vacation rental marketing guides for free.

What are your vacation rental photographs like?

Come on show us yours.

Would you like to enter other images for this weekly blog?

Send us your photos, your name and a link to your property and each week we will pick the best from those sent.

Tell us your own thoughts on this subject, using the comments section at the bottom of the page.

yours,

Video Tour for your property...

community-no-reply@homeaway.com — Thu, 07 Mar 2013 00:53:31 GMT

We've been renting our property for quite a while now and in the last year we decided to get some professional photos done, which really helped with our bookings. The same company that did our photos last year is now offering a professional video tour with music and voiceover...and we are really impressed.

Just wondering what everyone's thoughts are on going to that level of marketing? Has anyone done something like this? What kind of response were you getting from it? The photos have really helped with bookings but this video tour really shows off a place. They also shoot the surrounding area so that people looking to rent our property can get a feel for the neighbourhood. We are thinking this will be a good investment for our place.

Anyways...here's a link to the company we are using. www.rhipple.com.

A Great Improvement with Our New Professional Photos.

community-no-reply@homeaway.com — Fri, 22 Mar 2013 23:12:14 GMT

We upgraded our Lazy Bowen Hideaway (VRBO 284936) plus Lazy B Petite Suite (VRBO 357305) photos in May 2012 with some contrasting results. The property is a cottage / duplex that offers 2 vacation rentals: the main floor Hideaway and the ground floor Petite Suite. The Hideaway photos were staged while I was present for the shoot. The Petite Suite photos were shot after I left the property leaving Deb to do the staging. Not only can professional photos improve bookings but editing and staging the rooms before the photos are shot can make a huge difference in the performance of the photos too.

When a guest said, “The Lazy Bowen Hideaway is so much prettier than the photos,” I was given a knock on the head and I knew it was time to hire a pro. The old photos were all taken by me with advice from other vacation rental professionals and this web site. But, I did not have the skill to capture the panoramic sea view and the interior comfort of our cottage all in one photo. The lighting was either dark inside showing the great view outside or the reverse……. blown out windows showing no view with a sort of well lit interior. You know what I am talking about, right? My goal was to capture what the guest sees EXACTLY when they walk into our home…..the reason for renting the Lazy Bowen Hideaway….the “I Must Stay Here” photo.

I hired a local professional photographer, Deb Stringfellow, who took over 300 shots inside and out. She edited them using Photoshop, and provided me with web versions and print versions all for $150. Yes, I wondered why she was so inexpensive but her portfolio looked great!! (Pssst…..she doesn’t charge enough for her great work.) She delivered the money shot for the Hideaway!!! My jaw dropped and my bookings increased. By the end of February 2013, for the first time our August 2013 is 2/3rds booked.

Last year, Deb also shot photos of the ground floor Lazy B Petite Suite, the 600 square foot studio suite of the property. Typically in the past the Lazy B Petite Suite would book quickly as it was fresh, contemporary and priced well…….always beating the competition including the Hideaway. I had replaced my photos with Deb’s but I wasn’t seeing the increased bookings of the Petite Suite like I was with the Hideaway. Was it the new photos, the pricing, or did the Hideaway just look THAT MUCH BETTER?

It was time to EXPERIMENT as Matt Landau would say. My eye said the Suite photos looked too cluttered and (without prompting) other friends agreed. What I learned is that the camera catches ALL the details and meticulously editing the room before the shoot is VERY important. As of this month the Lazy B Petite Suite photos have been updated. The new photos are clean, uncluttered, sharp, and hopefully will begin to deliver more bookings to keep up with the Hideaway trend. This EXPERIMENT has cost me only another $150. I will report back on the results.

During this last photo session I also had Deb shoot our Lazy Bowen Hideaway living room with the fire roaring. NOTE: remember to clean the soot off of the fireplace face unless you think it adds to the charm. We stay busy during the winter months because of our wood burning fireplace, our advantage over our competition. Now we have a cozy, comfy, photo to add additional marketing power to our Off Season. We LOVE a warm fire with a storm outside and so do our guests!!!

We have learned to be prepared for the shoot: de-clutter, dress, press, and perfect what the camera sees before your photographer arrives. Look beyond the photo frame, pick up the clothes, the kitchen counter clutter, turn the TV off, etc. LESS LOOKS BETTER! As a professional interior designer for over 30 years I do understand the value of a professional portfolio and in our Vacation Rental business the benefits of professional photography HAVE BEEN WORTH IT at any price.

Checklist for Vital Photos for your Property Listing

community-no-reply@homeaway.com — Mon, 11 Mar 2013 19:04:16 GMT

Travelers want to thoroughly inspect your property before handing you any cash. And the best way to do this, without giving them an acutal tour of your place in person, is to give them a tour with photos (or video).

Thus, you absolutely need images that not only accurately portray your property but also invite the guest to come and stay.

Here is a free e-book (written by me) with the vital list of photos you need for your listing.

Also coming soon is my in-depth step-by-step guide to creating those killer photos for your property if you don't want to hire a professional photographer. Sign up here if you want to know as soon as it is released in April 2013.

And if you are attending the 2013 HomAway Summit, I will be presenting the workshop Key Secrets of Vacation Rental Photography on Saturday. Hope to see you there.

Tyann Marcink

Nature's Retreat and Canyon Retreat | www.vacationhomeinbranson.com

Photography and Website Design | www.marcinkdesigns.com

Great photos

community-no-reply@homeaway.com — Fri, 08 Mar 2013 10:35:56 GMT

Here is this weeks photo of the week from rentmoreweeks.com

Villa Rental Photography - Photo Of The Week - No 15

Here's a treat for you this week...

We're off to Hawai

and...

not one, but two, photos from one of my favorite vacation rental photographers

Quality shines through

This weeks photos come from Panaviz1.com and when you see them you too will see why I love these photos.

Some owners don't see the value of employing a professional photographer but have a good look at these two photos and you can see the quality shining through.

You just know that these images bring in bookings.

Here are the photos

How good is that? Micro staging at it's best.

Another fantastic photo. Great use of foreground.

This shows the the true value of using a professional photographer.

It's not just about the view, it's also about the holiday and this image nails it.

I have only shown a couple of images but head over to the panaviz website and have a look around. If you want to improve your online portfolio you may want to get in touch with them.

What to Look for in Vacation Rental Photography

community-no-reply@homeaway.com — Tue, 19 Feb 2013 22:46:04 GMT

Good photos of your vacation rental are essential in marketing your property. Travelers that choose to stay in vacation homes are savvy shoppers, and most compare many properties online before they book. Your photos help your property stand out amongst the competition and directly impact your bookings.

1. Professional Photography

One cannot stress the importance of having professionally photographed images of your home. Amateur photography will not only poorly showcase your rental; it suggests that the owner or manager of the home simply does not care. Professional architectural photographers know how to frame each image and to keep the vertical lines of the structure vertical. They know how to show your view and your interiors without blowing out the windows or darkening the insides. Ask the photographer to use HDR technology so that your images retain depth.

2. Staging Your Property

Vacation homes are an alternative to hotels, and hotels usually have fabulous photos that are immaculately styled and photographed. Vacation owners can do the same, endeavoring to keep the images real. Hotels may have restrictions on props and amount of staging, but rentals are homes. People will lounge in them, cook in them; take leisurely baths and more. Stage the rentals to reflect these homely comforts. We suggest that you style your homes with items that come with the rental such as the tableware, adding extras such as a small flower arrangement and fresh fruit.

3. Focus on the Strengths of the Rental

Vacation rentals tend to be unique, reflecting the owners sensibilities in décor, furnishings and goods stocked. Photos should display the character of your home. Flaunt the majestic sunset, the resplendent bath, and the thoughtfully stocked games cabinet. Star that chef’s kitchen. Have the photographer take pictures of nearby scenic attractions, common pool and other features. Your guests will appreciate any assistance in fleshing out their daily itineraries, and nearby attractions add value to your rental.

4. Decide on Types of Media

At a bare minimum, owners should have a suite of 12 or more good still images. Sites such as VRBO give preference to listings with 16 or more photos. Owners should then consider supplementing stills with a select few virtual tours. Unlike still images, which show a room from one vantage point, a 360 degree panorama shows all corners of a room, giving travelers a better spatial awareness of your lodging. With no hidden areas, travelers ultimately have greater confidence in booking your rental. Finally, if your budget permits, invest in a narrated video tour of your home. While still photos and virtual tours tend to be documentary in nature, a well-produced narrated video can evoke a more emotional response from a visitor.

5. Displaying Your Photos

It is critical that your professional photos are properly showcased on the web. Display the images in high resolution and full screen on your own website. Use relevant captions, tags and keywords to describe each image. On booking sites that downsize your images, link back to your own webpage. If using 2 or more types of media, display them in full screen from a single viewer. Enable high resolution display of stills, virtual tours and videos on mobile devices, including Apple devices. Facebook now takes images as big as 2048px by 2048px.

PanaViz provides vacation rental photography services in select holiday destinations. Our affordable photography services are utilized by vacation rental owners, management companies and booking sites. http://www.panaviz1.com

Photo of the week

community-no-reply@homeaway.com — Fri, 01 Mar 2013 07:08:40 GMT

Here's this weeks photo of the week from rentmoreweeks.com

Villa Rental Photography - Photo Of The Week - No 14

If you follow this blog then you know that I pick the photo of the week for a reason.

Well there's no real reason this week - Other than WOW

Here's the photo

Now and again I just like to have a trawl around the web looking at the what the top end of the vacation rental industry has to offer and how they present those offerings.

This week I found myself visiting http://www.luxuryretreats.com/ on the Turks and Caicos islands.

As I said - "WOW" (holding breath)

Until next week....

What are your vacation rental photographs like?

Come on show us yours. Would you like to enter other images for this weekly blog? Send us your photos, your name and a link to your property and each week we will pick the best from those sent.

Tell us what you like, or don't like, about this weeks photo or your own thoughts on this subject, using the comments section at the bottom of the page.

yours,

How do I get my photos to upload?

community-no-reply@homeaway.com — Thu, 21 Feb 2013 21:53:51 GMT

Hello. I am having a heck of a time getting my listing going. I am able to pull all my pics from the computer, but vrbo keeps saying all my files are too big. Vrbo says each file needs to be less that 2MB and all my photos are more like 3MB. I am no techie at all- how do I get around this? Thanks so much!