Karsten Silz Better photos, more bookings: how to show your holiday apartment in the right light
Great photos are the single biggest lever for more bookings. Practical tips on which shots convert — and how easy uploading them really is.
Before a guest reads a single word of your description, they've already seen your photos. Pictures decide in seconds whether someone keeps reading or clicks away. Great photos are therefore the single biggest lever for more bookings — and the best part: you don't need expensive equipment for it. A few simple rules will get you much more out of your images.
Why photos make or break the booking
Guests book what they can picture themselves enjoying. Bright, appealing photos build anticipation and trust. Dark, crooked, or careless ones make even the best apartment look unattractive. Your photos are your shop window — invest an hour here, and it pays off with every enquiry.
Tip 1: Lead with your strongest shot
Your first photo is your calling card. Choose the image that impresses most — the bright living room, the terrace with a view, the sea in the background. That one photo decides whether anyone looks any further. Always put it first.
Tip 2: Get the format right
Shoot in landscape orientation. It fills the image areas on websites much better and looks calmer than portrait shots. Hold the camera (or phone) at chest height and level — that keeps rooms looking natural instead of distorted. Modern phones deliver more than enough quality.
Tip 3: Light is everything
Shoot in daylight. Open curtains and blinds, and switch on additional lights too. The nicest outdoor shots happen in the morning or early evening, when the light is warm and soft. And just as important: tidy up first. A clean, uncluttered apartment instantly looks more inviting.
Tip 4: Create an emotional connection
People don't book a room — they book a feeling. Don't just show empty spaces; capture small moments too: a steaming cup of coffee on the balcony, a set breakfast table, a throw blanket on the sofa, fresh flowers on the dresser. Details like these help guests picture themselves in your apartment.
Tip 5: Show everything that matters
Give guests the full picture: every room, the kitchen and bathroom, the sleeping area, the outdoor space, and of course the view. One photo too many beats one too few — missing pictures raise doubts.
Uploading is this easy in the host portal
We take the technical hassle off your hands. In the host portal you upload your photos in just a few clicks — no need to resize or reformat them beforehand. Every image is automatically optimised for the web, so your site loads fast and looks great on any device. You can reorder photos in seconds, and set your best shot as the main photo. That way, you decide which first impression counts.
Conclusion
Great photos aren't a luxury — they're your best salesperson. Lead with your strongest shot, use plenty of light, shoot in landscape, and add a few emotional details. That's really all it takes. The portal handles the rest. Take the time to get really good photos once, and your booking numbers will thank you.