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How do quality and choice of pictures have an affect on guests decision about reservation?

Hi everyone!

I am pretty new in this job! I am talking a lot with my friends and partners about pictures on profile. My simple question is: How to decide which picture to set on the profile and how the quality of the pictures have an affect on reservations? I know that pictures has to be unique and beautiful to other guests to make final decision why to make reservation in apartment like we rent? How to choose main, but right pictures to set on our profile which will be seen by other guests?

Any ideas, comments, questions or answers will be helpful.

Thanks a lot for the help and cooperation!

Robert


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pibomarco 5 years ago

Proffesional photo with a touch of little photoshop, usually exterior of the property for the main picture. More photos with wide angles so that a guest can imagine the layout.. less pictures with close-up details.

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Robert 5 years ago

Hi Pibomarco,

Thanks a lot for comments and help! It is pleasure to meet experinced man like you who is ready to help with comments. I am aware that professional pictures are better than ordinary taken with best mobile phone.

Very interesting and above useful comment!

Thanks a lot for help!

Best regards,

Robert

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Judy Gathiru 5 years ago

Hi Robert,

I am also new in this but i realized when i took pictures with my mobile they were not so eye catching.

I resolved to get a photographer and it worked wonders.

Guests get attracted to the property only by pictures. get the best you can.

All the best

Judy

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Uneek Upneja 5 years ago

Hi there,

No doubt that professional photographs with little Photoshop does wonders but at the same time guest compare the picture with the room provided during their stay. So don't fake...present what you have with just hint of Photoshop otherwise guests will leave comments on your review page.

Cheers!!

Uneek Upneja

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Barbicangirl 5 years ago

I take photos with my camera. From the comments I think it’s time to go professional and maximize opportunities.

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Angela @Promhills 5 years ago

Make sure the pictures are beautiful but also a true representation. Guests like to receive what they expect and what they have seen online, make sure they do get what they think they are getting, but also present your property from the best angle in the best light

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Lucky Pete 5 years ago

Our builder had a pro come in after our renos as they wanted to use the pics for marketing. I looked at the ones I took and the ones the pro took and you can guess which ones we used. Will be using a pro every time going forward.

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pibomarco 5 years ago

The problem that I have with a pro photographer (that cost a lot of money) is that I am constantly working on new investments, re-arranging, renovating etc.. I said to myself I will book a pro photographer when everything will be more or less finished.. In 10 years maybe? lol

Meanwhile doing magic with:
- iphone X
- the first filter in camera roll (vivid)

The only disadvantgae is taking pictures of a smaller room where are preffered pictures with wider lenses.

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M Adamopoulou 5 years ago

I agree that professional photographs are much better but more expensive.
I also use my IPhone for photos and trying to get the best in different angles and different hours of the day.
Guests like to see pictures but true ones.

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Adagio Accommo… 5 years ago

I agree with the said above. Engaged pro for my pictures. Still thank you Laura for the guide!!!

k
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Keba Wilson 5 years ago

I am new as well.I am doing renovatin so when I finish I get photography.to nice pics...for now I use my phone

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Katerinka12 5 years ago

I don't know how, but I made to Superhost with only few blurry pictures that show half of the property. I didn't realize that for some people (my staff) taking pictures is incredibly difficult task to do. I was already abroad when we started to accept guests.

So, conclusion is: location is more important. If people need your property anyway, you will rent it out with any kind of pictures.

I made it a point though to make professional pictures. It took one month for photographer from Airbnb to come (fed up with promises and didn't show up). We have good pictures now. I hope people enjoy them. If they do not care, at least I am happy myself looking at my units :)

k
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Keba Wilson 5 years ago

U can download photogrid..an u get quality pictures.that's what I do have lovely pics now..I amight in good area..in Caribbean thanks

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fluff 5 years ago

We are in an area of very dense choice of hotels, all types and prices.
Apart from word of mouth pictures are very important in attracting new guests.
We have seen that the majority of establishments, in our corner of the world at least, use the original photos from when the hotel was brand new. Often leading to negative comments on their reviews.
When we took over our place I made a concerted effort to remove outdated or potentially misleading photos from the listings and website.
I use a combination of phone and SLR to take my pics ( hobby over the years) and have taken literally thousands of shots but only a very few reach the nip'n'tuk phase. Even then only a few of those survive. Unless you're really good it's difficult to get a decent amount of shots that are of top quality.
We are now at the point where nearly all of our photos are very recent, we receive lots of comments of " it's just like the photos".

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M Adamopoulou 5 years ago

fluff I agree with you my guests also comment that” it’s better than in the photos”

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M Adamopoulou 5 years ago

Laura thanks for your useful guide you proposed. It’s very understanding and easy to follow.

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Thuild - Your … 5 years ago

We went full professional with exterior lighting of the building and etc.

This is how we had it from the get go and many do say that in reality it looks so much better than in the pictures.

Pictures don't talk about details, that's why it is important to have those details in place so they will appreciate it more.

Cheers,

Zsolt - www.thuild.com

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Katerinka12 5 years ago

So far no one commented anything about our professional photos. M Adamopoulou's place, as I understand, is where amazing nature is and who can beat the wonders of beautiful nature?

So far there is no exact statistics about non-professional photos verses professional and their direct impact on bookings. What we can hear from professional photographers and OTAs something like the professional photos can improve bookings by ~30%.

And one important point is number of photos. Generally, the bigger propert will require more photos. I personally believe the minimum number should be not less than 5.

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Katerinka12 5 years ago

And here is the situation. Lets say I went to M Adamopoulou's place. Her hospitality and that free homemade olive oil reminds me to write a good review.

I do not, however, want to advertise her freebies to public. Instead, I just write "the place looks better than pictures".

What I am trying to say, it's hard to appreciate quality of pictures unless you are good in photography or a host :) Guests think good pictures is a must and they have no idea, that it can cost.

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Le Balcon des Jasses 5 years ago

Katerinka, you make it TO complicated for your self, Booking.com are easy, have a look at my Web side, I have Booking every day...

Le Balcon Des Jassers, ESPERE

Hi from Lucy

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Alexander HEATH 5 years ago

If your accommodation is in a beautiful area or situation you will generally be able to get beautiful photos ( I am only an amateur) but cameras don`t lie and if you see the` beauty`, you will invariably capture what you see ! Of course a lot depends on time of day ,light and sunshine.

We receive comments ,`photos don`t do it justice `, even though we think the ones we choose are a excellent representation.

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Katerinka12 5 years ago

Hi Lucy,

Did you see my previous comments? I am lucky to become a Superhost with out of order blurry pictures. And it's all about the location. To be exact, 300m from busiest Airport in overpopulated country, prime area in highest density city in the world.

Your place looks amazing. Of course, even photographers hands are shaking (shocked over the beauty:) ), it will look at least good with unprofessional camera.

Please, kindly specify:

What camera was used and who made your pictures?
How do quality and choice of pictures have an affect on guests decision about reservation? (direct question of the topic)
What your advise would be for those who do not have such great place of yours (really, its a catcher) and on low budget?

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pibomarco 5 years ago

When I am searching for the properties to stay in I will definitely choose a property where the presentation looks better and more appealing vs. to a "poor" presentation. Specially if there are lots of properties to choose from. If you're fully booked the whole year, then I understand your perspective.
I am a superhost too.. its not that difficult to become superhost on AirBnB though.

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Katerinka12 5 years ago

"its not that difficult to become superhost on AirBnB though."

For me it was just another Internet adventure. I used the program, that automatically replies to guests, so Superhost status was just few replies away.

I can't say that it was easy for me to become more disciplined, organized and responsible person (have you heard of people that do not feel time? :) I had to sleep less and respect more others people needs and time (crying with smile haaaa)

However, Superhost status is difficult for our wonderful country, Philippines, where is always "tomorrow". The culture of giving answer in 3 days or not giving answer at all doesn't meet Superhost status requirements :)

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pibomarco 5 years ago

Exactly.. as I said not difficult. :) 24 hours is basicly "tomorrow" which is quite enough time, taken into consideration that majority are on their smart phones "always" on FB, instagram ect... If you are not able to respond in 24hours.. well good for the rest of the hosts that do and enjoys the benefits of superhost status.

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Sara Jarvis 5 years ago

We have massive seasonal difference trees plants park etc....so need to change photos today as the flowers have gone.

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M Adamopoulou 5 years ago

Keba-Wilson very good idea “photo grid “ I will try it. Good pictures are very important because guests prefer to seeing nice photos than reading!!!

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Bandara Hotels… 5 years ago

The main photo is have to something really representative your property and look very attractive. And each time they see this main photo they can easily recognize it for which property.

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Jessie & Jay (… 5 years ago

I agree that good photos are important. They don't say a picture is worth a thousand words for nothing. Accurate representation is also important as I have read some reviews on other properties stating the photos looked good but when they arrived at the property the photo's must have been taken years ago and they place was not what the photos showed. Photography is a hobby of mine so I am able to produce our photo's using Lightroom & Photoshop. Some of our guests said that the photos helped them to decide to stay at our Bed and Breakfast other B&B's in our area.