Vacation Rental Photo Prep Checklist: How to Get Airbnb/VRBO-Ready Before the Photographer Arrives

Great vacation rental photography starts before the camera comes out. The best shoots happen when the home is clean, simplified, and staged to feel easy—not crowded or overly “decorated.”

Here’s a practical Airbnb/VRBO photo prep checklist for hosts in Montrose, Ouray, Ridgway, Delta, Gunnison, and Telluride.

If you want the service overview first:

• Vacation rental photography: https://www.bluemoonmedias.com/vacation-rental-airbnb-vrbo-photography

• Pricing: https://www.bluemoonmedias.com/blue-moon-medias-real-estate-photography-real-estate-pricing

• Contact: https://www.bluemoonmedias.com/real-estate-photography-contact-us

48 hours before: set the foundation

Deep clean like a guest is arriving

Focus on what the camera exaggerates:

• Glass (windows, mirrors, shower doors)

• Smudges on stainless appliances

• Dust on baseboards and vents

• Hair/dust in corners and along floor edges

Fix the “small broken things”

Photos amplify maintenance issues:

• Burned bulbs, loose handles, chipped paint, crooked curtains

Decide your top 3 selling points

Examples:

• Hot tub + view

• Walkable location

• Family-ready game room

Those will shape your cover photo and first 10 images.

24 hours before: stage for clarity, not clutter

Declutter surfaces (especially kitchens and baths)

• Clear counters (leave one intentional item only)

• Hide soaps, sponges, dish tools, cords, trash cans

• Remove personal items, meds, mail, and paperwork

Make bedrooms feel hotel-clean

• Crisp linens (no wrinkles)

• Nightstands simplified

• Floors clear

• Matching lamps/bulbs where possible

Bathrooms: simplify hard

• Toilet lids down

• Fresh towels (coordinated)

• No bath mats unless high-end and clean

• Shower curtains open if the shower/tile is a feature

Shoot morning: quick wins that change everything

Light it up

• Open blinds/curtains

• Turn on lamps and under-cabinet lights

• Replace bulbs that don’t match color temperature

Remove vehicles

• Clear driveway and the street directly in front if possible (especially for exteriors)

“This overlaps with what sellers miss before photo day (the camera sees everything):”
https://www.bluemoonmedias.com/what-sellers-forget-before-photo-day-but-buyers-notice-immediately

Make outdoor areas “inviting”

Western Colorado rentals often win outside:

• Align chairs, add cushions

• Clear leaves and debris

• Stage fire pit area (neat wood stack; no ash mess)

• Wipe down grill and outdoor tables

Bonus: add-ons that increase booking confidence

If your layout is unique or premium, consider:

• Virtual tours for layout clarity: https://www.bluemoonmedias.com/virtual-home-tours-real-estate-photography

• Drone media for setting and views: https://www.bluemoonmedias.com/drone-services-and-commercial-virtual-tours-inspection

• Floor plans for faster decision-making: https://www.bluemoonmedias.com/interactive-floor-plans

Related reading

• https://www.bluemoonmedias.com/what-sellers-forget-before-photo-day-but-buyers-notice-immediately

• https://www.bluemoonmedias.com/five-questions-to-ask-any-real-estate-photographer-before-you-hire-them

Want a photographer’s checklist tailored to your property?

Send your town, sleeping count, and top amenities. We’ll tell you exactly what to prep and what shots will matter most for your listing.
https://www.bluemoonmedias.com/real-estate-photography-contact-us