If you own or manage a short-term rental, you know that photos matter. Most hosts focus on the bedroom and living room. Those images are important, of course, but guests are increasingly choosing rentals based on what’s outside those rooms.

According to Expedia Group’s Unpack ’24 Travel Report, 42% of travelers book vacation homes for amenities they either can’t afford at home or want to try before buying. Nearly 30% say they’d choose a rental based on outdoor amenities alone. That’s a significant portion of your potential guests making booking decisions based on what they see in terms of amenities in your listing photos.

Here are 5 amenities worth getting right on camera.

1. The Pool or Hot Tub

A pool or hot tub is one of the highest-searched features on vacation rental platforms. However, it’s often photographed at the wrong time of day or angle, with no attention to staging. A strong pool photo shows clean water, good natural light, and the surrounding area looking intentional. These pics should not be cluttered with equipment or with garden hoses in frame.

2. Outdoor Living Space

Outdoor living spaces tell a story. Tried-and-true storytellers range from a fire pit, a covered patio, a deck with a view, to a row of Adirondack chairs by the water. Your photos should make a guest imagine themselves there. That means thoughtful staging: a blanket on a chair, drinks on the table, the fire going. Getting that atmosphere right takes the same care as any interior shot.

3. The Kitchen

Guests who choose short-term rentals over hotels frequently cite the kitchen as a deciding factor. It signals flexibility, comfort, and cost savings, especially for families or for longer stays. A well-photographed kitchen looks clean, well-equipped, and bright. It doesn’t need to be fancy, but it does need to look functional. Cluttered counters and dim lighting can make even a good kitchen feel uninviting in a photo.

4. Game Room or Entertainment Space

A ping pong table, a foosball setup, board games on a shelf, or a large screen with comfortable seating are amenities that appeal to groups and families. They’re also frequently photographed poorly. Cramped angles, low light, or an incomplete shot undercut the appeal. A well-staged entertainment space can be the photo that tips someone toward booking your property over a comparable one.

5. The View or Natural Surroundings

If your property has a lake, a walking trail, a hillside view, or anything that connects it to its setting, that’s perfect. Guests booking a lakefront cabin or a property on the edge of the Ozarks are there for an experience, and photos of the surrounding setting are part of that pitch. A wide shot at the right time of day can do more for your listing than several interior shots.

The amenities guests are searching for deserve more than a quick snapshot. If your current photos aren’t doing that work, we’d love to help. Reach out to us to talk about what a professional shoot could do for your listing.