Having a clear shot list before your Airbnb photography session is one of the simplest yet most effective ways to ensure you walk away with a complete, high-performing gallery. Without proper planning, it’s easy to miss key areas, overlook crucial details, or end up with twenty photos of the living room and nothing of the bathroom.
Why a Shot List Matters
A well-thought-out shot list keeps the session focused and guarantees that every amenity and feature your potential guests care about is beautifully captured without missing a beat.
This shot list is tailored specifically for Airbnb hosts in Sydney ranging from inner-city apartments to beachside holiday homes. You can use it as a checklist to brief your photographer or to prepare your property before the shoot day.
The Essential Shots for Every Airbnb Listing
Here's what should be on every Sydney host's Airbnb photography shot list:
1. Exterior and Approach
- Front of building or house the establishing shot that tells guests they've arrived at the right place.
- Street address or apartment number if visible and presentable.
- Building entrance, lobby, or intercom particularly relevant for inner-Sydney apartment buildings where the entrance experience sets the tone.
- Secure parking area or garage if included in the listing.
- Building amenities: pool, gym, rooftop terrace, or common garden areas if accessible to guests.
2. Living and Dining Areas
- Wide shot of the full living area, this is typically the hero interior image.
- Detail of sofa styling: cushions arranged, throw folded, coffee table neat.
- Dining area with table set even a simple two-place setting adds warmth.
- Any notable features: fireplace, gallery wall, statement light fitting, view through the window.
- View from the living area if it's a selling point such as skyline, water, park.
3. Kitchen
- Wide shot showing the full kitchen layout.
- Bench details a clean bench with one or two attractive items such as coffee machine, fruit bowl, fresh flowers.
- Coffee and tea station if styled as a guest amenity.
- Any included appliances worth highlighting: dishwasher, microwave, quality coffee machine.
4. Bedrooms
- Each bedroom deserves its own wide shot don't group them.
- Master bedroom: wide shot from the doorway, then a closer shot of the bed styling.
- Bedside detail: lamp, book, small decorative item.
- Built-in wardrobe, slightly open to showcase its generous storage depth.
- Any unique bedroom feature: ensuite access, balcony door, city view from bed.
5. Bathrooms
- Every bathroom should be photographed guests expect to see them all.
- Wide shot of each bathroom from the doorway.
- Towel styling: neatly folded and stacked or hung on rail.
- Toiletry amenities laid out if you provide them such as shampoo, conditioner, body wash.
- Any premium features worth showing: rain shower, freestanding bath, heated towel rail.
6. Outdoor Spaces
- Balcony or terrace featuring a wide shot and a lifestyle shot with a chair angled toward the view and a coffee cup placed naturally.
- Courtyard or garden: furniture set up, any outdoor dining or lounging areas styled.
- Pool or spa if available.
- BBQ area if it's part of the guest offering.
- View shots from the outdoor space if the Sydney Harbour, beach, or city skyline is visible, this may be your most powerful image.
7. Practical Amenity Shots
- Laundry facilities including a washer, dryer, iron, and ironing board, which are essential features for longer stays.
- Workspace or desk if marketed to remote workers.
- Smart TV or entertainment setup.
- Baby equipment, highlighting available family-friendly items such as a cot or a highchair.
- Dedicated storage for guest luggage.
Lifestyle and Detail Shots
This is where short-stay photography differs most from standard real estate photography. Detail shots tell the story of the hosting experience and build emotional connection:
- Welcome basket or welcome card.
- Close-up of quality linen or pillow detail.
- Coffee machine with a cup placed in front.
- Local guidebook or curated list of recommendations.
- Any unique or personalised hosting touches a local artwork, a book collection, a record player.
- Bathroom amenity products arranged neatly.
Before the Photographer Arrives
Declutter every room. Put away personal items, clear kitchen benches, and remove anything that doesn't belong in a guest space. Fluff pillows, set the dining table simply, add a fruit bowl or flowers. The effort you put in before the shoot shows up in every image.
Work With Your Photographer
Share your shot list with your photographer ahead of time. A good real estate and Airbnb photographer will appreciate the direction and may even suggest additions based on what they see when they arrive.
OpenFrame Studio photographs Airbnb and short-stay properties across Sydney. We can help you plan a shot list tailored to your specific property and listing goals. Get in touch before your next shoot.
