How to take great real estate photos with your phone (and boost bookings and sales by 40%)

What if I told you that spending 30 minutes taking better photos could earn you thousands more per year? It sounds too good to be true, but the data doesn't lie.

Based on a 2016 study of more than 100,000 Airbnb listings, those with professional photography earned 28% more bookings, could charge a 26% higher nightly rate, and increased overall earnings by 40%. Even more impressive, properties with professional photography get 118% more views than those with DIY shots.

The good news? You don't need to hire a $300 photographer or buy expensive equipment. Your phone is capable of taking photos that compete with the pros—if you know the right techniques.

The Airbnb Photo Success Story

Even Airbnb learned this lesson the hard way. In their early days, bookings were sluggish until co-founders Brian Chesky and Joe Gebbia had a revelation: the photos were terrible. After implementing professional photography, the company's monthly revenue doubled. Recognizing this breakthrough, Airbnb expanded their photography services, solidifying it as a cornerstone of their prosperity.

1. Clean everything, then clean it again

This isn't just about making your space presentable—it's about psychology. When potential guests see a spotless room, they imagine themselves relaxing there. When they see clutter or dust, they worry about what else might be wrong.

How ProntoPic helps: Even with a thorough clean, phone cameras can make surfaces look flat or dull. ProntoPic enhances contrast and brightness to make clean surfaces look more vibrant and intentional.

2. Master the golden hour (or fake it)

Natural light is everything in real estate photography. The best time for indoor shots is typically 10 AM to 2 PM when sunlight is bright but not harsh. Turn off all artificial lights—mixing light sources creates color casts that make photos look amateur.

Pro timing tips:

Best times: Late morning (10 AM - 12 PM) for east-facing rooms, early afternoon (1 PM - 3 PM) for west-facing rooms.

Overcast days are your friend: Clouds act as a giant softbox, providing even, flattering light.

Avoid: Early morning, late afternoon, or any time you need artificial lights.

How ProntoPic helps: If the timing isn't perfect or your natural light is insufficient, ProntoPic can enhance and balance the existing light to create that bright, airy feeling guests love.

3. Invest in stability (even a $15 tripod works)

Shaky photos are booking killers. They signal carelessness and make potential guests question the quality of your hosting. You don't need expensive gear—a basic phone tripod from Amazon works perfectly.

Phone photography settings to check:

• Grid lines: Turn them on for better composition
• HDR: Enable for better light balance
• Timer: Use a 2-3 second delay to avoid shake
• Focus: Tap on the most important part of the room

How ProntoPic helps: Even with a tripod, phone cameras can produce soft images in challenging light. ProntoPic's sharpening algorithm brings back crisp details without the artificial look of over-processing.

4. Skip ultra-wide (your guests will thank you)

Ultra-wide lenses are tempting because they make small rooms look larger, but they create distortion that experienced travelers recognize immediately. It feels deceptive and can lead to disappointed guests and negative reviews.

Stick to your phone's main camera. Modern phones are already quite wide, and the natural perspective will accurately represent your space.

How ProntoPic helps: With normal focal lengths, ProntoPic can enhance depth and warmth to make your space feel larger naturally, without distortion.

5. Shoot like a guest, not an owner

You see your space every day, but guests are experiencing it for the first time. They want to understand the layout, assess cleanliness, and imagine themselves there.

Height matters: Shoot at chest height (about 5 feet) for the most natural perspective. Avoid shooting from too high or too low.

6. The editing trap (and how to avoid it)

Here's where most DIY photographers go wrong: they either don't edit at all (leaving flat, dull photos) or they over-edit (creating unrealistic, oversaturated images that look fake).

Professional photo editing requires understanding exposure, color theory, and knowing when to stop. One study found that improving color attributes by one standard deviation can bring in an additional $6,790 yearly revenue per listing.

Common editing mistakes:

• Over-saturation that makes colors look artificial
• Too much contrast that creates harsh shadows
• Over-sharpening that creates halos around objects
• Inconsistent editing across photos in the same listing

How ProntoPic helps: Instead of learning complex editing software, upload your photo and get professional-grade enhancement in minutes. The AI is trained specifically on successful Airbnb photos and knows exactly how much adjustment to apply.

7. Get a second opinion (before you publish)

You've been staring at these photos for hours. Fresh eyes catch problems you've become blind to. Send your photos to a friend who's never seen your space and ask:

• Which photo would make you want to book?
• What questions do you have about the space?
• Does anything look off or confusing?
• How does it compare to similar listings in the area?

The bottom line

Great photos aren't about having the most expensive equipment or years of experience. They're about understanding what guests want to see and presenting your space honestly but beautifully.

75% of Hosts pay for their photoshoot within one reservation, according to Airbnb's own data. Whether you hire a pro or enhance your DIY photos with tools like ProntoPic, investing in better photography pays for itself quickly.