AIRBNB EXPERIENCES

Museums Category Guide

Museum experiences offer a unique way to explore art, history, and culture. They allow participants to discover hidden treasures, iconic exhibits, and fascinating stories, guided by knowledgeable hosts.
A group of people stands in front of the Museo del Prado, a historic art museum in Madrid, with large classical columns and banners displaying artwork.

Activity

16-70mm lens   |   3+ different spots in the room/space   |   Wide, mid, & tight    |   Focus on activity engagement.

Wide   |   16-24mm lens

Include wide images that illustrate the tour within the environment. Try to find straight-on/squared perspectives, and include negative space around the subjects full body.
Two scenes of museum experiences: one in a contemporary art gallery with visitors observing paintings, and the other in a historic museum with a mosaic floor and detailed stonework architecture.

Mid    |   35-50mm lens

Get a little closer to highlight the activity in action. Encourage moments of engagement and connection. This can include the full body of the subject but without negative space.
Two scenes: people exploring the exterior of a museum with minimalist architecture and sunny weather, and a guide engaging visitors in a discussion about a framed painting inside a dimly lit gallery.

Tight   |   50-80mm lens

Get tighter to really hone in on the activity. Focus on engagement with tools, equipment, objects or on the hosts gestures. This can focus more on the torso of the subject(s). It’s most helpful when the group is very close together.
A woman holds a tablet displaying historical photos as part of a museum tour, with black-and-white portraits on the wall behind her.

Avoid

An interior of a museum showcasing an elaborately carved wooden structure with golden accents, red upholstery, and historical ambiance.

No clear focus

A bright museum gallery with glass-encased marble sculptures, a woman observing a statue, and visitors in the background.

Not centered / group too spread out

Visitors in a museum observe a timeline featuring artwork, photographs, and text detailing historical events and figures from the late 19th century.

Backs of host & guests

Details

35-50mm lens   |   Close up of the action   |   tools, processes, & moments   |   Shallow depth of field
Reminder: Only provide close-ups of those who sign the release forms.

Avoid

A detailed view of a gold soccer ball trophy reflecting light, with a red circular 'X' overlay in the upper-right corner.

Too close

Details that are too close don’t allow you to know what the object is or the context in which they are found.
Close-up of a tablet showing an ancient Greek alphabet chart, held by a host guiding a museum participant.

Guest face details

For detail shots, avoid close-ups of devices (unless it’s a predominant aspect of the experience).
FC Barcelona's glowing crest in the background, with two people standing in front, wearing dark clothing, on a vivid red circular design.

Unreleased branding

Avoid all branding (including clothing logos, signage) unless the host owns the company/IP and signs a materials release to feature it.

Location

16-24mm lens | Front-facing exterior | interior views | Empty spaces without the group
Six images highlighting renowned museum settings: an art gallery with vaulted ceilings and visitors, the iconic brick entrance of the Rijksmuseum, the golden Apollo fountain at the Palace of Versailles, the front of a neoclassical museum with a bronze globe sculpture, an opulent gallery in the Vatican, and the grand hall of the Natural History Museum in London.
Tips: Take a front-facing photo of the location. Consider using a tripod for interiors if lower than 1/60s. Avoid tilting the camera upward (creating distortion). Focus on capturing straight vertical lines.

Avoid

A richly decorated museum ceiling with gold carvings, historical paintings, and eagle sculptures framing the corners.

Unclear location

(Acceptable as a detail)
Exterior view of Museu Afro Brasil Emanoel Araujo, featuring modern architecture and colorful murals under shaded trees.

Tight angled composition

(Acceptable as a detail)
Renaissance-style architecture of the Uffizi Gallery in Florence, with a statue in an alcove and signage pointing to the entrance.

Unreleased signs

Avoid all branding (including signage) unless the host owns the company/IP and signs a location release to feature it

Host

35-70mm lens   |   2+ backgrounds   |   Simple uncluttered backgrounds    |   Straight-on body posture
Two individuals seated on a blue bench outdoors, with a vibrant blue wall behind them featuring the word 'Dayglow.' The setting includes simple and uncluttered elements.

Co-hosts

If hosted by more than 1 person, capture a full body or full-torso composition of the hosts together.
Hands-on workshop setup with a person preparing a drink, featuring minimalist black cups, a white kettle, and colorful boxes on a clean, round table in a bright blue setting.

Environmental portrait

A wider portrait (mid to full body) with elements of the activity present  (i.e wine glass, wine bottles etc.)
Individual sitting in a relaxed pose with a simple and uncluttered background featuring a bright blue wall and a subtle indoor space visible through a doorway.

Standard portrait

A different background with a more standard portrait focusing on the upper torso.
Upper body shot of a person in a white t-shirt and unbuttoned blue denim shirt, positioned in front of a neutral light wall with minimal distractions.

Close-up portrait

A different background showcasing a tighter composition of the hosts head and shoulders.

Avoid

Close-up of a person wearing a smartwatch and a navy blue t-shirt with ocean-themed text and illustrations, sitting indoors against a gray brick wall.

Off-center/angled body posture

host portrait without eyes making direct contact with camera.

No eye contact

Close-up of a person in a blue embroidered shirt, with a blurred face, standing in front of a red wall and green plant. A red 'X' in the top right suggests this is not a recommended example.

Distracting backgrounds

Person holding a bottle of artisanal liquor with a dark label, standing in front of a wall with a poster of illustrated maps.

Posing with item near face

Capturing in crowds/public

An elegantly designed gallery with marble pillars and historical art, showcasing a centerpiece painting surrounded by museum-goers engaging with the space.

Create distance

When crowds are unavoidable, step back to create distance so the environment remains the main focus.
A group of people in a lavish hall with crystal chandeliers and opulent gold accents, engaging in conversation amidst museum visitors.

Group in the foreground

Photograph wide (without tilting the camera). Create space between the group and the crowd. Avoid distortion, and center the group.
An elegant museum hall filled with people, featuring richly decorated red walls, intricate gold molding, a skylight roof, and a variety of large historical paintings.

Make the focus the location

In a busy crowd, raise the camera, use a shallow depth of field, focus on a clear spot on the building, and let the rest fall out of focus.
Visitors walking through a grand hall of the Louvre Museum, gathering around the Winged Victory of Samothrace statue.

Create more distance

You can also get even more distance to capture even more of the location and minimize the crowd.
The iconic facade of the Louvre Museum in Paris, featuring detailed carvings, statues, and a central clock, with a spacious courtyard in the foreground.

Seek out quiet moments

Keep an eye out for moments of calm.
A tour group in conversation near St. Peter's Basilica dome, with other tourists exploring the area under a cloudy sky.

V format

Use shallow depth of field to blur the crowd in the foreground.
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