An image is one of the closest ways we can come to experiencing a destination without physically going there. Good, strong images will influence someone’s decisions, expectations and emotions. This is even before they even set foot at the location.

Here are a few reasons for using great imagery online, how to make the most of it and how to get the best shots possible without breaking the rules.

In this section:

1. Create impact
2. Mix it up a bit
3. Use social media
4. Finding images and ensuring they are legal
5. Photography tips to help promote your accommodation
6. Inspiration and research
7. Equipment
8. Natural light
9. Camera positioning
10. Camera height
11. Close-ups an details
12. Exteriors and views
13. Editing and making your photos internet ready
14. Supplementing your photography

1. Create impact

Use images to set the scene, convey mood and emphasise tone of voice. The style of your photos is a great way to convey your brand and let people know what to expect.

Add a human dimension and reinforce the connection. Think of photographs of an excited family, a group of friends over dinner, or someone who has just climbed to the peak of a mountain. These let the viewer put themselves in the scene and entice them to come and experience Scotland for themselves.

2. Mix it up a bit

A holiday is an experience and choosing a destination is an emotional decision. Tell your story with high impact photography and lead your viewers on a journey of your product. 

The best way to create that visual journey is through using a variety of images. This is about showing what a visitor can do and experience. Use establishing shots to show off the location in full and mix these with the closer shots that show the unique details. These combinations tell a story about what is on offer. 

3. Use social media

Social media isn’t just a great way to promote your product yourself. It’s also a way to let other people do it for you. If you can inspire users with amazing imagery, then they will promote it for you – channels such as Instagram exist to share images. 

4. Finding images and ensuring they are legal

These days it can be tempting to grab an image you like from the internet. Copyright law exists to protect the creators of media from theft and misuse of their work so it’s important only to use images you own or have permission to use. If you’re in doubt, don’t use the image. If you’re not a photographer yourself, there are a few ways to get great images you can use. 

Our Digital Media Library is free of charge, where you’ll find thousands of amazing photographs from around Scotland.

Hire a professional photographer – although this can seem like an expensive option, working with the right photographer allows you to shape the style and get a high quality end result. 

You can also pay a minimal amount for images using a Stock Library – from as little as a few pounds you can purchase rights to use high quality images. 

5. Photography tips to help promote your accommodation

While it’s generally best to hire a photographer to take photos of your accommodation you may be working within a limited budget and wish to take photos yourself. If this is the case then we’ve put together a list of tips to point you in the right direction. 

6. Inspiration and research

You may be wondering where you should start but one of the best ways is to get some ideas by checking out other accommodation providers and noting down what you feel works well. 

In addition to looking at online booking platforms for inspiration there are loads of ideas to be found on Pinterest. There are a great many boards dedicated to home interiors so you’ll see how rooms have been staged and photographed to display them at their most inviting. 

Property Agent websites are useful too as you’ll gain an insight into the lighting, height of camera, angles and types of shot that the photographer has chosen.

7. Equipment

A camera with a wide-angle lens (anywhere between 12 - 24 mm) and a tripod is ideal. However if you only have access to a camera phone then the same principals will apply. 

A tripod and shutter release can be bought quite inexpensively for a mobile phone too. The benefit is that you can ensure images are straight and you’ll eliminate any camera-shake you may experience with hand-held photos. 

8. Natural light

It’s desirable to use natural light so choose the best time of day for your photos. This may change throughout the day, for example, one side of your accommodation may benefit from natural light in the morning (such as the breakfasting room) while other rooms will look brighter late-afternoon or evening. 

If you use a flash you’ll get harsh shadows and sometimes an unflattering bleached foreground so it’s best to avoid this if you can. 

9. Camera positioning

You’ll want the room to look spacious so get as close to the corners of the room as you can. Take photos from at least two vantage points so that potential visitors can get a sense of a room’s layout. Also pay attention to conveying information such as comfort, sources of natural light and storage space. 

10. Camera height

Anything from chest height to head height would be fine but try to keep it consistent throughout your series of photos. 

11. Close-ups an details

Think about what details make your property unique and include any additional extras you offer such as coffee making facilities, luxury toiletries, complimentary fruit bowl etc. 

12. Exteriors and views

As well as photographing the exterior of the building think about what else makes your property stand out. Is it the amazing view or a beautiful garden? Does the surrounding landscape change throughout the seasons? 

13. Editing and making your photos internet ready

The chances are you’ll want to straighten, brighten, crop and optimise your photos for the internet. There are several photo editing solutions available with Adobe Photoshop being the most widely used. You can download a seven-day free trial at Adobe. This should be long enough for you to edit your photos and make them internet ready. 

Alternative photo editing solutions include Gimp and Pixlr but whichever software you choose you’ll find lots of easy-to-follow tutorials on YouTube. 

If you only have access to a mobile phone camera then there are photo editing apps such as Photoshop Express Editor available for both Android and iOS devices. 

14. Supplementing your photography

You can purchase additional images from a number of Stock Image libraries and you also have access to our Digital Media Library free of charge.