Photography of your vacation rental: this is how to increase your conversion with strong images

Guests book with their eyes. Even before their first click, they judge whether your park is worth a visit.

Whether on your own website, a booking platform, or social media: the first impression counts. Professional photos not only build trust but also inspire and motivate potential guests. An appealing image of a cosy holiday home or a sunlit terrace can be just the nudge they need to click 'Book now'.

💡 Need help with your photography? Schedule an instant consultation with our team.

Why good photos make the difference

At Booking Experts, we see every day that good photography delivers:

• More views and clicks on properties
• Longer time spent on the page
• More bookings and higher conversion rates

You don't have to do it alone. Our marketing agency, Booking Boosters, supports recreation companies and real estate projects in optimising and deploying their imagery so that it contributes as much as possible to conversion and sales.

Professional photography: Outsource or do it yourself?

You don’t have to reinvent the wheel. There are photographers who specialise in capturing holiday homes and parks, such as Dick Rumpool or JLF, who know exactly how to convey atmosphere, space, and tranquillity in a single image. By outsourcing this work, you can be confident that your visual content aligns with what your target audience is looking for: inspiration, experience, and reliability.

If you prefer to (partly) do it yourself, you can still achieve impressive results with a few smart choices.

12 tips for photographing your vacation home and park

Below is our checklist for strong, conversion-focused photography.

Preparation

1. Begin with residential staging.

• Tidy and clean the space thoroughly.

• Remove personal items and any clutter.

• Style the home with subtle touches: a made bed, a vase of flowers, or a throw on the sofa.

(Example: The Pearl)

👉 Home staging helps create an attractive, welcoming atmosphere that guests can easily imagine themselves in.

2. Choose the right time

• Photograph in daylight, ideally during the "golden hour" (just after sunrise or just before sunset).
• Avoid bright sunlight or harsh shadows.

3. Bring the outdoors in

• Open windows and doors.
• Make use of natural light to create a bright, fresh atmosphere.

(Example: left Warredal, right the Pearl)

Technique

4. Photograph with calmness and perspective

• Allow spaces to breathe.

• Combine wide overview shots with smaller detail shots – for example, a coffee cup on the table or a book on the bedside cabinet.

5. Use a tripod and a wide-angle lens

• A tripod keeps your images steady and consistent.
• A wide-angle lens gives a spacious, realistic image without exaggeration.

6. Show everything

• Photograph all areas: living room, kitchen, bedroom(s), bathroom, and outdoor spaces.
• Don't forget the park facilities: playground, swimming pool, reception, catering, and bike rental.

Atmosphere

7. Capture the season

• Use sunny summer images or cosy winter shots, alternating visuals helps promote rentals all year round.

(Example: Holiday park Mölke)

8. Create atmosphere

• Leave a window open, set a breakfast table, or photograph guests in action (without showing faces).

9. Pay attention to mirrors and reflections

• Make sure you don’t appear in the photo yourself.

• Check windows and other reflective surfaces carefully.

Online optimisation

10. Optimise for online use.

• Use high resolution, but compress files for fast loading times.

• Give each file a clear, SEO-friendly name, such as living-room-holiday-home-veluwe.jpg.

11. Use landscape format

• Landscape photos work better on websites and booking platforms than portrait ones.

12. Keep it realistic

• Show what you really offer. No deception, no exaggerated filters - just well presented.
  
  

Photography of park facilities: this is how you do it

• Capture children playing on the bouncy castle (without showing faces).

• Photograph the pool early in the morning to create a calm atmosphere.

• Highlight the seasons: autumn colours, snow-covered grounds, or lively summer crowds.

• Don’t forget the reception and hospitality areas – they inspire trust and confidence

Image as a strategic tool

Guests book with their eyes. By investing in high-quality photography, you not only increase the likelihood of bookings but also build a stronger brand, set better guest expectations, and create greater trust in your offer.

Whether you work with a professional photographer or take photos yourself, good photography is not a luxury – it’s a strategic choice.

At Booking Experts, we’re here to help you optimise your presentation – from a smart booking system to conversion-boosting content.

Make sure you are seen. And make sure what you show is worth booking.

Sales projects? Images are essential here too

Although this blog focuses on attracting guests, photography is just as important when it comes to selling holiday homes.

For project developers and real estate companies, visual presentation is indispensable during the sales phase. High-quality photos highlight the quality of the project, build trust, and generate more leads.

A professional image bank:

• Showcases space, finishes, and location convincingly

• Strengthens the project’s credibility

• Supports lead generation through project websites and property platforms

Booking Experts supports developers with tools to collect and follow up on leads. And with our own marketing agency Booking Boosters, we help with promotion, visibility and conversion support, from visuals to campaigns.

The same rule applies for sales projects: invest in images that sell.

Would you like help with improving your visuals or sparring about the possibilities for your vacation park or rental location?