Regardless of how long you’ve been in the vacation rental game, you’ve likely heard about the positive impact good photographs of your property can make.
And while you may be able to capture good property photos with your smartphone camera or some other device, we imagine you’re hoping for better than good revenue. Who can help? A professional real estate photographer.
3 Reasons to Hire a Professional for Your Vacation Rental Photos
For all the supporting research and data points, here at DMD Real Estate Photography, we believe investing in professional photography for your vacation rental properties boils down to just three reasons:
Professional listing photos build vacationer trust
Quality photos can help justify higher vacation rental rates
Experienced real estate photographers know how to showcase your STR property
Don’t leave your short-term rental (STR) business’s success to chance. Rely on a professional photographer to capture the images you need to draw your vacation audience to book. You won’t regret the investment.
Professional Listing Photos Build Vacationer Trust
Consider this: travelers seeking an Alaska STR are betting on a property as a perfect home base for their vacation experience virtually sight unseen. Because of this, you need bright, crisp, inviting photos that your potential renters won’t be able to pass up.
Quality photos can spark that initial connection - much as you’d feel on a first date! This creates a foundation of trust that your rental will provide the vacation experience they want.
Pro Tip!
According to one FlipKey study, “Travelers are 83% more likely to inquire about property listings that contain over 20 photos.”
Quality Images Justify Your Alaska STR Rates
Trust us, short-term renters know whether your photos were taken by a professional photographer or not. Investing in quality images for your listing assures a potential renter of your commitment to the property as well as your caliber as a host and business owner.
Additionally, vacationers are seeking a getaway. Give them a glimpse of an Alaskan vacation home that is inviting, beautiful... and different than usual. Most are willing to pay a premium if it ensures a better vacation.
The better the pictures, the greater the interest. The greater the interest, the more bookings you get. Basic economics tells us that higher demand equates to higher rates.
Pro Real Estate Photographers Know How to Showcase a Property
The fact of the matter is, a professional real estate photographer knows what attracts potential renters (and buyers) to your property. Here are a few ways we do that...
Accurate Staging
We know that staging your vacation rental home should accurately depict the property a client will walk into once they book. This means removing personal property and clutter and highlighting the amenities a vacationer wants, needs, and expects.
Capturing a Property’s Story
Our professionals listen to clients, considers their goals for the property, and captures the property’s character in ways you wouldn’t necessarily even know to think about. Often, shoots involve the use of ladders, lighting, props, and even drones! It’s a special skill set that requires experience.
Post-Production Editing
The other behind-the-scenes value of hiring a professional for your vacation rental property is all the back-end editing that takes place to capture your rental perfectly. They are also able to view the property from a more objective standpoint and can offer unbiased advice on what will appeal to your target audience.
DMD Real Estate Photography Knows How to Increase Your Bookings!
As lines between real estate and tourism continue to blur here in the Alaska market, a firm grasp on today’s real estate market requires knowing how short-term rental trends continue to affect it, as well. In turn, our best practices and recommendations are informed by both Alaska tourism and real estate markets.
We are in the unique position of understanding what you, as a short-term rental property owner, need in professional gallery photos in order to successfully target vacationers and draw them into your STR listing.
To learn more about how DMD Real Estate Photography can showcase your STR and/or to review our team’s portfolios, reach out!