When was the last time you had a professional photo shoot of your holiday cottage? We’re seeing more and more serious self-caterers coming back to us to refresh and update their photography. Sometimes nothing has even changed inside the properties. But trends change. And businesses grow. We are seeing different styles of photographs becoming more popular. Do your professional images still truly reach out to your core target guests?
Here are some of the ways the photography portfolios created by ACT Studios have evolved.
Orientation
Social media reels are becoming an ever-more successful way to reach a larger audience. So at ACT Studios we’ve adapted our photo shoots to work better for those too. In the past it was all about capturing landscape images. Traditionally this orientation works best on websites and shows whole rooms and the exterior of your property best. But now, we make sure that your professional photo shoot includes a selection of portrait images as well. So when you book a full shoot, you’ll receive a good mix of visuals to use across all of your marketing channels.
- Photos of the inside and outside of your properties.
- Some of the gardens and grounds.
- A dusk shoot.
- Drone images and videos (when the weather plays nicely).
- 3D virtual tours.
Style shots & landscapes
You will also receive some more detailed photographs to reflect your style and the interior design. Like those you see in lifestyle magazines. As well as some of the local area (if time is allocated during your booking to capture some). These provide fabulous content to include in your reels and for social media posts in general.
They also provide a nice visual contrast to a sea of broader images of whole rooms. You can see more examples over on Instagram.
People
This is a controversial one. When we spoke about it at this year’s Premier Cottages conference there was an audible groan from across the room. But, do you want some of your images to feature people? Traditionally the advice was always not to. Whilst this worked for hotels, it was generally felt that it wasn’t the right approach when shooting holiday cottages. Because this is marketing self-catering accommodation. So when guests have it all to themselves, it was generally best not to show strangers enjoying the space. But again, trends change. Maybe its down to social media, with our feeds full of influencers diarising their very own guest experience to their followers. But we’ve had a few owners recently who have arranged for models to be included in their photo shoot. A couple relaxing in the hot tub or enjoying a drink by the fire pit can set the scene for romantic breaks. Take a look at Polkanugga Farm’s website to see how it could work for you
Another reason to include people in your professional photo shoot is if you offer your accommodation as a retreat venue, or have a space to host corporate events or board meetings too. Showing the space set up for this audience reinforces the suitability of your property for these purposes. Helping you to appeal to a very different target audience. This approach has worked well for Celebration Holiday Homes amongst others.
The journey
Back in the spring we were invited to do a professional photo shoot at Oran Na Mara on the Isle of Harris. Included in the brief was to capture some images of the journey there – this is very much a part of their guests’ experience. So Marcin took photographs during the ferry crossing and the drive across the island to the spectacular final destination. If your location is a big reason that guests choose your holiday accommodation above others, this is something to consider when you book your next professional photo shoot.
A full portfolio
It’s important to think about everything that is important to capture, to make sure you catch the attention of your target audience. Especially if you appeal to more than one type of guest. Where do they get their holiday inspiration? Is it the more traditional way of using a search engine? Or are there trending hashtags applicable to the experience you provide that potential guests are following on social media? Make a list of everything you would like your professional photo shoot to include, then provide a detailed brief. This is the best way to ensure you receive the portfolio you desire.
A blend of images that include the key points highlighted in this blog will give you tonnes of material to keep your website and listings fresh. Plus plenty of content to use on Instagram, Facebook, TikTok etc. Use them alongside photos and videos you take on your phone as go for a walk, enjoy dining out, or doing a changeover. That way you can create reels that really reflect the whole guest experience you offer. It helps people truly get a taste of what it’s like to stay. Excitement grows and hopefully your guests will show their family and friends, “Look at this! That’s where we’re going on holiday!”
And that’s what can lead to even more bookings.
Check out photographs of other holiday accommodation
If it has been a few years since you had a photo shoot, take a look at other owners’ websites, listings and social media. How do the images that you have look in comparison? Have you changed the images on your website in the last few years? Fresh content is always good. It gives you a reason to reach out to previous guests, you could send a marketing email inviting them to see what’s changed since they last visited. Maybe the garden has matured significantly or you’ve added a new feature? You can also create reels to post on social media, letting your followers know they can see more on your website. At the end of the day, it all drives more traffic to your website. And that’s always going to be beneficial to your website’s position in search engine results pages.
Want to talk about booking a professional photo shoot? Get in touch.