Bath holiday let owners should prepare for professional photography by: showcasing period features (fireplaces, cornicing, sash windows), using warm lighting, adding luxury touches (fresh flowers, quality toiletries), and ensuring Georgian proportions are captured correctly. Essential shots include: hero exterior showing Bath stone, living room highlighting period features, each bedroom, kitchen, bathroom, any courtyard or garden, and 2-3 lifestyle details. The Property Photo Guy offers specialist Bath Airbnb packages from £149.
Bath attracts over 6 million visitors a year, and the holiday let market is fiercely competitive. Whether you're listing on Airbnb, Booking.com, or managing your own bookings, professional photography is the single biggest factor in turning browsers into bookers. This checklist covers everything Bath holiday let owners need to know about getting their property photographed.
01Why Bath Holiday Lets Need Professional Photography
Bath isn't just any city. It's a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and guests booking accommodation here have high expectations. They're choosing between Georgian apartments, Regency townhouses, and boutique-styled holiday lets, and the listing photos are often the deciding factor.
Airbnb's own research shows that listings with professional photography receive 24% more bookings and can charge up to 26% more per night. In a city like Bath, where nightly rates can range from £100 to £400+, that premium adds up quickly.
02The Bath Holiday Let Preparation Checklist
Week Before the Shoot
- Schedule a deep clean for the day before the shoot
- Order fresh flowers or a plant for styling
- Buy matching white towels if yours are mismatched
- Check all light bulbs are working and matching colour temperature
- Arrange for any maintenance issues to be fixed
Day Before the Shoot
- Deep clean the entire property
- Clean all windows inside and out
- Wash and iron all bedding (crisp white is best for photos)
- Clear all personal items and clutter
- Mow the lawn and tidy any outdoor space
Morning of the Shoot
- Open all curtains and blinds
- Turn on all lamps and feature lighting
- Style each room (see styling guide below)
- Put out fresh towels in bathrooms
- Clear kitchen worktops completely
- Move bins out of sight
- Hide cleaning products and toiletries
03Styling Your Bath Holiday Let for Photography
Bath guests expect a certain level of style and sophistication. Here's how to style each room:
Living Room
- Plump cushions and arrange them symmetrically
- Drape a quality throw over one arm of the sofa
- Place a coffee table book about Bath or the Cotswolds on the table
- Add a small plant or vase of flowers
- If you have a fireplace (many Bath properties do), make sure it's clean and styled
Bedroom
- Use crisp white bedding with a textured throw at the foot
- Matching bedside lamps, both switched on
- A small plant or flowers on the bedside table
- Ensure curtains are hanging straight
- If the bedroom has a view, make sure the window is clean and unobstructed
Kitchen
- Clear worktops completely, then add back only: a cafetiere or coffee machine, a fruit bowl, perhaps a cookbook
- Ensure all appliances are clean and fingerprint-free
- Hide the washing-up liquid, bin bags, and cleaning products
- If you have a nice set of mugs or glasses, display them
Bathroom
- Fresh white towels, rolled or folded neatly
- A quality soap dispenser (not a plastic bottle)
- A small plant (real or high-quality artificial)
- Clear the shower of all bottles except one or two premium products
- Make sure the mirror is spotless
Period Features
Bath properties often have stunning period features that should be highlighted: - Original fireplaces: clean and style the mantelpiece - Sash windows: make sure they're clean and the frames are presentable - Cornicing and ceiling roses: ensure they're dust-free - Original floorboards: clean and consider a rug for warmth - Bath stone walls: if exposed, make sure they're clean
04The Essential Shot List for Bath Holiday Lets
Priority Shots (First 5 Images)
Your first five images appear in the Airbnb gallery preview and determine whether guests click through:
- 1.Hero shot: Your single best image, usually the living room or a stunning period feature
- 2.Master bedroom: Styled and inviting
- 3.Kitchen/dining: Showing the social heart of the property
- 4.Bathroom: Clean, bright, and hotel-quality
- 5.Exterior or view: Showing the Bath context
Supporting Shots
- Every bedroom from at least two angles
- Any additional bathrooms
- Hallways and staircases (especially in period properties)
- Garden, patio, or balcony
- Any unique features (roll-top bath, window seat, roof terrace)
- Detail shots of styling and amenities
Bath-Specific Shots
- Views of the city: If you can see the Abbey, Royal Crescent, or the surrounding hills, photograph it
- The Bath stone facade: The honey-coloured stone is iconic and immediately tells guests they're in Bath
- Proximity shots: Drone photography showing how close you are to the city centre, Thermae Bath Spa, or the Roman Baths
- The street scene: Bath's streets are beautiful, and showing your property in context helps guests imagine their stay
05Bath Holiday Let Photography Pricing
| Package | Price | Photos | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Essential | £149 | Up to 15 | Studios, 1-bed apartments |
| Professional | £199 | Up to 20 | 2-bed holiday lets |
| Premium | £299 | Up to 30 | Larger properties, period homes |
| Ultimate | £399 | Up to 40 | Premium listings, full coverage |
All packages include drone photography, HDR editing, and 48-hour delivery. The Premium package is the most popular for Bath holiday lets, as period properties typically need more photos to showcase their features.
View my full Airbnb photography services for Bath.
06After the Shoot: Maximising Your Investment
Optimise Your Listing
Once you have your professional photos, update your entire listing to match:
- Rewrite your description to reference specific features shown in the photos
- Update your amenities list
- Add photo captions that mention Bath landmarks and attractions
- Set your first photo as the strongest image
Use Photos Across All Platforms
Your professional photos should be used everywhere:
- Airbnb and Booking.com (your primary platforms)
- Google Business Profile (helps with direct bookings)
- Instagram and Facebook (social proof and marketing)
- Your own website (if you have one)
- Email marketing (for repeat guests)
Track the Impact
After updating your photos, monitor your listing performance:
- Click-through rate from search results
- Booking conversion rate
- Average nightly rate (you may be able to increase it)
- Review scores (guests often mention the property matching the photos)
07Seasonal Photography for Bath Holiday Lets
Bath looks different in every season, and updating your photos seasonally can boost bookings:
- Spring: Cherry blossom in the parks, fresh green gardens
- Summer: Outdoor spaces in full use, long evening light
- Autumn: Golden Bath stone against autumn colours
- Winter/Christmas: Bath's Christmas market is a major draw, and cosy interior shots with warm lighting work brilliantly
Professional holiday let photography across Bath from £149. View my Bath Airbnb photography services, explore all property photography in Bath, or get in touch to book your shoot.
