TECH TIPS
Capturing Variety
One of the most common issues we see in photo submissions is repetition—multiple images captured from the same spot, with little change in angle, perspective, or composition. This guide is designed to help you think intentionally about variety—how to move through a space, shift your perspective, and provide editors (and hosts) with a rich library of images to choose from.
Getting started
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Hosts
Variety in host portraits means more than just multiple exposures of the same setup—it’s about different moods, backgrounds, poses, and lighting.
Single Host
Rotate backgrounds: try facing a window, side-lit by a window, or in the shade outdoors. Include 2 environmental portraits of the host immersed in their activity, with no other participants in frame.
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Co-hosts
Capture one image of all hosts together. Capture each host individually. A tip for capturing variety in portraits is to use 2–3 different backgrounds, poses, and lighting setups. This will provide editors with a range of images to choose from.
2-host example
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3-host example
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Activities
Action looks different from every angle. Try to move 360 degrees around the host (and participants) to show the energy of the experience from every angle. Don’t be afraid to crouch down or find a view from a higher vantage point to add dimension.
Locations
Spaces deserve the same treatment as people: variety matters. Choose vantage points that highlight both the layout and atmosphere. Prioritize staight-on, squared compositions for location images.
Fixed location – single room
When photographing a fixed location, capture both the exterior and interior. If the interior consists of a single main room, showcase it from multiple vantage points to give a complete sense of the space.
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Fixed location – multiple rooms
When photographing a fixed location, capture both the exterior and the interior. If the Experience takes place across multiple interior spaces (such as different rooms in a museum, or winery, etc.), identify 3–5 key areas and photograph each with a clean, straight-on composition.
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Multiple locations – indoor & outdoor
When photographing multiple indoor and outdoor locations, capture 1–2 exterior shots and 1–2 interior shots at each site to provide a balanced sense of place.
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Multiple locations – outdoor only
Include a photo of each of the key locations to illustrate the places the guests can expect to visit. Prioritize straight-on compositions. Avoid including people, when it’s possible.
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Rural & outdoor settings
When capturing rural locations, such as running tours, or hiking in the mountains, instead focus on capturing 3-5 key locations.
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Details
Details bring intimacy and texture. What you highlight will depend on the type of Experience (e.g. food plating vs. museum artifacts), but the principles are the same: vary your perspective.
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photography@airbnb.com