A Property Manager’s Guide to Preparing Homes for High-Performing Photography

Long before pricing strategies, amenity lists, or channel distribution come into play, travelers make a decision based on how a home feels on screen. With attention spans measured in seconds, listing photography often has under 20 seconds to create interest and establish trust. 

In that moment, photography answers the most important question a guest is asking, often subconsciously:

Can I see myself here?

At Wander, we’ve learned that photography is not a documentation tool; it's a storytelling tool. And like any compelling story, the outcome depends on perspective, restraint, and a trained eye. Capturing a home well requires more than technical skill; it requires visual intelligence.

This is where the best property managers distinguish themselves.

Top-performing managers understand how light moves through a space, how composition influences perceived scale, and how small details shape emotional response. They know which angles elevate architecture, which moments feel authentic, and which elements distract. And when that expertise doesn’t live in-house, they invest in partners who bring it.

Providing clear photography and video preparation guidance is not operational overhead; it is a strategic differentiator. It signals to owners that you don’t simply manage homes; you know how to position them. Owners see their properties portrayed in ways they’ve never experienced before, often realizing their home’s full potential for the first time. That perspective is powerful, and it builds trust quickly.

Why Photography & Video Preparation Is One of the Highest-ROI Decisions You Can Make

The short-term rental market is crowded, competitive, and increasingly visual.
New listings appear daily, but traveler attention has not grown with supply.

Data consistently shows that professional listing photography drives meaningful performance gains:

• 20–40% more bookings

• 20–26% higher nightly rates

• Up to 2.5x higher booking frequency

• 20%+ higher overall revenue

Travelers are 83% more likely to inquire when a listing includes more than 20 high-quality images. And because decisions are made quickly, preparation is what allows photography to do its job in those critical first seconds.

Even the most talented photographer cannot create compelling imagery if a home isn’t staged, decluttered, and lit intentionally. Photography success begins well before the camera is set down, it starts with preparation.

More Than a Photoshoot — A Brand Asset

Professional photography is not about filling a listing gallery.
It’s about creating an asset that compounds in value over time.

High-quality listing photography supports:

• Higher conversion and booking confidence

• Stronger brand credibility with luxury travelers

• Elevated website and direct booking experiences

• Marketing across email, paid media, and social channels

• Clearer guest expectations before arrival

Poor photography quietly erodes all of this. It flattens strong homes, weakens brand perception, and forces pricing strategies to compensate. Exceptional photography does the opposite, it elevates everything around it.

You’re elevating and protecting the brand, justifying premium rates, and reducing friction across the entire guest journey.

Preparation Is What Turns a Good Home Into a Great Listing

At Wander, photoshoots are treated as intentional productions, not quick walkthroughs.
A typical shoot requires 6–8 hours on-site and may include sunrise or twilight capture to ensure the home is shown at its best.

Preparation ensures:

• Clean lines and uncluttered spaces that photograph accurately

• Lighting that enhances architecture rather than competing with it

• Details that feel elevated, calm, and guest-ready

• Imagery that reflects the experience of staying in the home, not just its layout

This level of polish is what separates great listings from commodity listings.

A High-Level Overview of Home Preparation

To make preparation clear and manageable, we’ve created detailed Photography & Video Prep Guidelines.

At a high level, preparation typically includes:

General Readiness

• The home is fully cleaned and staged before the crew arrives

• All people and pets are off-property during the shoot

• Personal items and clutter are removed or stored out of sight

• Garages are often used for last-minute storage

Exterior Preparation

• Driveways, patios, and entryways cleared

• Trash bins, hoses, tools, and toys hidden

• Pools, spas, and water features cleaned and ready

• Landscaping trimmed at least 24 hours in advance

Interior Preparation

• Kitchens, bedrooms, bathrooms, and living spaces decluttered

• Personal items, cords, and remotes concealed

• Blinds adjusted to maximize natural light and views

• All interior lights turned on; burnt-out bulbs replaced

• Ceiling fans turned off for crisp imagery

Twilight & Cinematic Details

• Interior and exterior lights fully illuminated

• Pool, spa, and landscape lighting activated

• Water features turned on to add motion and depth

• Everything prepared before golden hour begins

Each step plays a role in creating imagery that feels intentional, elevated, and unmistakably Wander.

Access the Full Photography & Video Prep Guidelines

This article offers a high-level perspective. Our full Photography & Video Prep Guidelines provide a detailed, room-by-room walkthrough to ensure every home is production-ready and positioned to perform at the highest level.

When preparation meets intention, photography stops being imagery.

It becomes a growth engine.