Can You Use an iPhone for Airbnb Photos?

You’ve probably perused photographer’s websites, wondering if you should drop several hundred or thousand dollars on professional Airbnb photos — or whether you can just use your iPhone for Airbnb photos.

Professional photos are fabulous. But here’s the reality: using an iPhone to take photos for your Airbnb listing can be a great option for many hosts. Newer iPhones have high-quality cameras that can take sharp, well-lit photos that will help your listing stand out to potential guests — and that may make more sense if you’re just starting out and not sure yet if you want to invest.

Can I Use an iPhone to Photograph My Airbnb?

One of the benefits of using an iPhone for your Airbnb photos is that it is likely already with you and can be easily accessible whenever you need to take a new photo or update your listing. Additionally, the camera on an iPhone is user-friendly and easy to use, making it simple to take professional-looking photos. It’s in your hand every time you make an update, and newer photos are often prioritized by Airbnb.

Tips to Keep In Mind When Using an iPhone for Airbnb Photos

However, there are some things to keep in mind when using an iPhone to take photos for your Airbnb listing. The first is that the camera lens on an iPhone is quite small, which can make it difficult to capture wide-angle shots of a room. This can be overcome by using a wide-angle lens attachment for your iPhone, which can be purchased for a relatively low cost.

Another thing to keep in mind is that iPhones have a tendency to overexpose photos, which can make them look washed out or too bright. To avoid this, you can use the manual camera settings on your iPhone to adjust the exposure and create a more balanced image.

Lastly, use a tool like Lightroom or VSCO to edit your photos consistently. It’s often the editing that catches a potential guest’s eye more than whether or not it’s professional. A fuzzy phone photo isn’t great, but neither is a professional photo that looks the same as every other photo on the platform. A curated view goes a long way.

The Final Word on iPhone Airbnb Photos

Leveraging iPhone photos for your Airbnb listing can a great option for many hosts. With a little bit of practice and some tips for working around the limitations of the iPhone camera, you can create professional-looking photos that will help your listing stand out to potential guests.