The Difference Between Holiday Let Photography and Real Estate Photography

Fiona Bielby

Feb 54 min read

Photography plays a vital role in both real estate and holiday property markets, but the approach to photographing a holiday let is vastly different from capturing a property for sale. While real estate photography focuses on functionality and appealing to a buyer’s practical needs, holiday property photography is all about sparking imagination and selling an experience.

Tea set on a wooden tray with scones and bread on an olive ottoman in a cozy living room, featuring floral and gray cushions. — Imagine sitting here one afternoon, enjoying tea and scones near the fire...

Here’s why they differ and why your holiday let deserves a tailored approach:

1. Selling a Lifestyle vs Selling a Building

When photographing a home for sale, the aim is to present the property clearly and honestly. Buyers want to see floor plans, room sizes, and how spaces connect. It’s about practicality.

Holiday Let photography, on the other hand, is about storytelling. You’re not just selling a roof and four walls—you’re selling the dream of a cosy winter getaway, a summer retreat, or a place to reconnect with loved ones.

It’s all about evoking emotion and showing potential guests how your space will feel to stay in. This is a project I captured a few years ago because evenings there and how the Bedsheds look at night are important to the owners, they asked me to do a session in the daytime and then in the evening. Some Holiday Lets should consider the time of year they get their photos done or make a point of topping up photos seasonally. This gives a rounded view of what you can expect, and it also gives you high-quality content to post on all platforms, giving you consistency and high-end imagery which elevates your brand and the experience you're trying to sell people.

2. Holiday Let Photography: Focusing on the Details

In holiday let photography, and details matter. A perfectly plumped cushion, a welcoming coffee table vignette, or a rustic dining table set for two can make all the difference. Guests want to visualise themselves in the space—curling up with a book, sharing a glass of wine, or enjoying breakfast with a view.

Real estate photography doesn’t require the same level of staging. It’s often more minimalist and focuses on creating a clear sense of space rather than mood.

Cosy kitchen with wooden table, chairs, and flowers. Grey cabinets, a window with a garden view. Warm lighting and neutral tones. — Moody lighting rather than, bright shows the cosy atmosphere a room has to offer.

French press coffee, two cups, croissant, jam, strawberries, and a thistle in a vase on a wooden tray, creating a cosy breakfast scene. — A breakfast scene, what more could you want than fresh coffee and tasty pastries?

Ambient dining room with wooden table set for four, a vase of white flowers as a centrepiece. Soft lighting, neutral tones, and wall art. — Creating a scene where people can envisage themselves, sells an experience.

Croissants, strawberries, and jam on a plate with two gray cups nearby on a wooden tray. Cozy breakfast setting with muted tones. — Buying local produce can give you a talking point in social posts, it also gives you a reason to tag and name other businesses, which will only help everyone, if you support local, they're likely to recommend your holiday let too.

Vase with white flowers and greenery on a wooden tray on a table. Soft beige walls and a door in the blurred background. Cosy atmosphere. — Fresh flowers add a touch of elegance and show you care about the finer details too.

White outdoor chair and table with champagne glasses and bottle set in a lush garden with brick wall and wooden fence background. Romantic mood. — Showing your audience how spaces could be used encourages them to engage and also gives you content for socials.

3. Lighting and Atmosphere in your Holiday Let

Real estate photography typically relies on bright, even lighting to clearly show the property. Holiday property photography, however, thrives on creating an atmosphere. Soft lighting, golden-hour shots, or a crackling fire can evoke the cosy charm of your property.

Capturing how the space transitions between day and evening is also key for holiday properties, as potential guests want to imagine themselves enjoying every moment—from morning coffee to a sunset dinner on the terrace.

Cozy bedroom with a bed, TV, plants, and a fireplace. Open glass doors reveal a patio with a table, chairs, and a scenic field view. — Showing the doors open and how the outside can come inside is the perfect way to show how this accommodation can used.

Wine glasses, a decanter, cheese, and bread on a table in front of a warm fireplace. Cozy setting with a shelf and TV in the background. — Lighting the fire and photographing the wine, cheese, and bread creates an ambient, cosy winter's evening, helping people imagine themselves there.

Patio setup with two chairs, table holding champagne, glasses, and flowers. Wooden fence, green field, and trees in the peaceful background. — Back to a summer's evening, enjoying that bottle of fizz with a view.

A cosy patio at night with a round table, two chairs, and a small potted plant. Warm wall lights illuminate the wooden deck. — Ambient lighting shows how you can enjoy the space on a warm summer's night.

Boots and shoes on a wooden porch by a glass door. Inside, chairs are visible on a deck. Overcast weather creates a calm mood. — Setting the scene and hinting at what activities you could do if you were to stay.

Wine bottle and two glasses on table, with a cork nearby. Fireplace in background creates a warm, cosy atmosphere. — More content for social media and perfect for imagining a cosy winter's night in the Bedsheds.

Three cabins with warm lights in a twilight forest setting. Dark trees surround, creating a serene and cosy atmosphere. — The cleverly thought-out lighting oozes thought and style.

Sunset over a field with silhouetted trees and grasses. The sky is warm with soft golden hues, creating a calm and serene atmosphere. — Sharing views from the scene entices people even more.

4. Showcasing Unique Features

For a holiday property, it’s all about highlighting what makes your space unique. Be it the stunning view, a hot tub under the stars, or a quirky décor style, these elements are what draw bookings.

Real estate buyers, while interested in unique features, are ultimately focused on whether the property fits their needs, meaning the focus is broader rather than on specific selling points.

TV on beige wall, plant in patterned pot on white mantle, landscape painting above. Ornate black and floral fireplace, cosy ambiance. — Photographing unique, homely features such as these ornate tiles give the property soul and appeal.

5. Experience-Driven Outdoor Shots

In real estate photography, outdoor shots are often functional—showing the front of the property, garden size, or parking space. For holiday lets, outdoor photography paints a bigger picture. It’s about showcasing the nearby beaches, countryside walks, or views from the property. Guests want to know not just what they’ll be staying in but what they’ll be experiencing.

Stone house with red roof in countryside, surrounded by trees and lawn under a cloudy sky. Peaceful and serene atmosphere. — Showcasing the amount of outdoor space this property has to offer, will attract families who enjoy being outside.

A bubbling hot tub with a water spray. A bottle of wine and a glass sit on the edge. Green trees in the blurred background under a cloudy sky.

Cozy stone cottage with red roof, open door, patio chairs, hot tub, and blooming purple flowers in garden. Calm outdoor setting.

Why It Matters

For holiday property owners, getting the photography right is critical. Guests will make split-second decisions when scrolling through booking sites, and strong, experience-led imagery can make your property stand out in a crowded market.

If you’re looking to make your holiday let irresistible to potential guests, I’d love to help you capture its unique charm. From cosy corners to breathtaking landscapes, let’s work together to show everything your property has to offer!

Let’s tell the story of your space—and make it impossible to resist!

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