TECH TIPS

Directing with confidence

As a photographer, your role is to provide hosts and guests with confidence, clarity, and agency, ensuring the photoshoot feels natural and professional while producing strong visual assets. This guide outlines how to set expectations, direct participants, and foster authentic interactions.
A photographer wearing a black dress and hat takes a photo of a person sitting on modern outdoor wooden stairs, emphasizing interaction and direction.

Getting started

You are the expert

You are not just the photographer; you are the director, stylist, and creative lead on set. Hosts and guests will look to you for guidance. Here are a few tips for directions:

Know the participants

Ahead of the session, ask the host who will be present. This knowledge helps you decide how hands-on or hands-off you should be during the session:
A group of individuals is seen working together on a plant arrangement session, with tropical plants, soil, and containers spread across a wooden table in a rustic setting.

Paid guests

Prioritize their experience of the activity. Keep interruptions minimal. Capture candid, documentary-style moments that showcase natural reactions. Be discreet, moving quietly like a “fly on the wall.”
Participants stretch on a rocky plateau with a gong and refreshments placed on a mat, overlooking a vast desert valley with distant rock formations.

Friends/family

Feel free to direct more actively. Ask them to pause, repeat, or shift positions to better frame the scene. They are often there to support the host.

Introduce yourself

  1. Gather the group in a quick circle before the activity begins. Introduce yourself warmly and explain your role.
  2. Share that you may occasionally pause the activity to capture moments from new angles.
  3. Explain that direction is normal—it’s about making everyone look their best. Encourage questions so participants feel comfortable and informed.
Two individuals engaging in a handshake while standing near a white SUV on a cobblestone driveway, with others nearby in a casual outdoor setting.

Working with Hosts

Host Portraits

An individual in a sporty outfit, holding a soccer ball with intricate patterns, wearing a white mesh top with text, a colorful necklace, and a bandana, with an urban backdrop featuring buildings and a fenced area.

Put them at ease

Most hosts are not professional models. Use calming prompts (e.g., “Take a deep breath and relax your shoulders”) to help them feel comfortable.
An individual gesturing and interacting with two guests in a historic space, framed by a large stone arch and natural light.

Mind the details

Check the background for clutter and distractions. Ask the host to remove sunglasses, bags, or other items that compete for attention.
A vibrant outdoor scene featuring a person in traditional attire surrounded by tropical plants and bamboo fencing.

Provide variety

Move them through different spots, lighting, and subtle poses to create a well-rounded set of portraits.

Interacting during the activity

Participants in a cultural marketplace, interacting and sharing directions amidst stalls displaying textiles and other goods, exemplifying authentic engagement during an activity.

Pause or repeat

Don’t hesitate to ask the host to repeat a key action for another angle.
A group of people practicing yoga outdoors on mats near a rocky hillside, all in warrior pose and facing the same direction.

Foster authenticity

If repetition feels stiff, give small cues (e.g., “Talk to your guest as you do this” or “Show me how you usually explain it”).
People in aprons work together to prepare an ingredient in a bowl, surrounded by kitchen tools in a warm and inviting kitchen space.

Positive feedback

Point out what looks great—compliments relax your subject and build trust.

Working with Guests

Fostering engagement

Look for (and encourage) authentic moments that express:
  • Curiosity and interest
  • Surprise or delight
  • Joy and excitement
Simple prompts like “React to this like it’s your first time” can spark authentic expressions.
A group of people gathered in a kitchen, engaging in an interactive cooking activity with bowls and utensils on the table.

Minimal guests

Ahead of the session, ask the host who will be present. If the host mentions having minimal or no guests, let the host know that it’s strongly encouraged to include at least one person to act as a guest for the shoot in order to best represent their Experience. If they are still insistent, please have them reach out to photography@airbnb.com so we can advise as to whether the shoot should proceed.
Two individuals preparing a traditional noodle dish in a rustic kitchen setting, surrounded by fresh ingredients like lime, chili, and herbs on a wooden counter.

1-2 guests

Creativity and attention to detail can compensate for limited participants. Use symmetry and leading lines to create focus between the host and guest(s).
A professional kitchen setup with a chef creating a dish using a culinary torch; the counter holds an assortment of cooking items.

No guests

If guests aren’t present, focus on the host in action (teaching, demonstrating, explaining), details (hands at work, tools, ingredients, or props), or environmental storytelling (the space, setting, or atmosphere). If photographing a service, consult the brief to identify which categories need guests.
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More resources
Experiences brief