More Than MLS: Shooting Airbnb and Short-Term Rental Photography with Reneé Nickerson

This episode of the PropMedia podcast features an interview with guest Renee Nickerson. She is introduced by the speaker as "an Airbnb managing empress who runs 110 properties or so in Greenville in the upstate of South Carolina"

The discussion focuses on property media and how to expand your work beyond shooting for realtors to include photos for short-term rentals (STRs) like Airbnb.

Renee, who launched her management company in 2019, discusses her journey in scaling her short-term and long-term rental business. She defines STR as a short-term rental, like a traditional Airbnb booked for a couple of nights up to a couple of weeks. She also explains:

• MTR (Midterm Rental): A furnished monthly stay, usually 30 nights minimum up to six months.
  7
• LTR (Long-term Rental): A traditional one-year, unfurnished lease, like an apartment.
  
  

The company specializes in managing STRs, MTRs (including a large portfolio of corporate rentals), and LTRs.

Key topics include:

• The Difference in Photography: Airbnb photography is "very very different" from MLS photos for realtors. Realtor photography focuses on showing the space as a "blank canvas" with wide angles to promote imagination, while Airbnb photos need to showcase attention to detail and help potential guests "get the vibe". Airbnb guests are only looking at the pictures to book, as they generally "don't read our description".
  
  
• Essential Short-Term Rental Shots: Photos should highlight amenities. Examples of important shots include:
  • Televisions in bedrooms (which might be avoided in real estate photography).
  • Opening cabinets and pulling out drawers in the kitchen to show that it is well-stocked with essentials like plates, pots, and glasses.
  • Detail shots of the beds and linens.
  • Outdoor and office spaces.
  • Recreational equipment like kayaks and paddle boards if the property is on a lake.
• Number of Photos: Renee uses between 30 to 50 photos, with 50 for a large four-bedroom house, and usually 20 to 30 for smaller two and three-bedroom homes.
• Avoiding Certain Photos: It's suggested to avoid taking photos of complimentary amenities like snack bowls and peppermint patties on the bed so that they remain a "surprise bonus" for guests.
• Advice for Photographers: Renee suggests short-term rental (STR) shoots should cost more than basic real estate photography due to the additional work and greater level of detail needed. A photographer should offer tiered packages based on amenities and the size of the property. Photographers looking to work with STR managers should provide examples of their work, confirm a fast turnaround time (photos needed quickly, able to book within a week at maximum), and be open to communication about different shots. The speaker recommends highlighting a specialist offering in "Airbnb photography" on a website to differentiate from standard real estate photography.