We created a a list of reasons why you might be better off taking them yourself:

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Nope. You really don’t. Cameras have come SO far over the last 5 years, that you can get great photos just from a good smartphone. The main limitation in the 80% of listing photos that aren’t good is know-how, NOT technology. Often, because most people associate pro photographers with fancy equipment, they assume that that’s why the photos are great. We think it has a lot more to do with the specific knowledge that the photographers have acquired. And we’re passing along the best of that knowledge to you in this course.

Glad you asked. The course is divided into 3 video modules, roughly corresponding to Pre-Production (planning), Production (taking the photos), and Post-Production (editing and posting). The topics in each module are broken up into easy-to-digest videos with handy assignments (nothing too scary!) and clear outcomes.

By the end of it, you'll have a clear marketing vision for your rental and some beautiful photos to show for it! The course is completely self-paced but we are here for you for any questions, concerns, or suggestions! Plus, you have life-time access to the course materials, video or otherwise.

That's ok! This course was designed for the non-photographer - hosts like you who have other professions, skills, and interests. ​

No. We certainly understand that people have busy schedules. This video course is completely self-paced. Plus, you have lifetime access to all of our lessons, video and otherwise.

We have designed this course to require a maximum of 8-10 hours of your time. That includes Kati’s video instruction, preparation (both thinking time, as well as staging), the actual photo session(s) and editing. Some of you may be able to do it in as few as 5 hours or less. ​

We hear you. Running a small business is a never-ending to-do list. We have one too. Here’s the thing, though: Not all tasks are equal. Some need to be super high priority, because other tasks are irrelevant if the first ones aren’t done right. A sky-diving checklist might have A) pack parachute, B) bring snacks for after, but B becomes irrelevant if you screw up A, right? ​

Yep. One study showed an increase in bookings of 98% from one year to the next, just from the photos being improved. In our case, we have NEVER stayed at a vacation rental with bad photos. And we don’t know anyone else who has either. We tailor our search for a location, a price range, and a small number of amenities. From the list that the search brings back, the absolute largest factor BY FAR that we use to pick a place, is the photos. We actually moved to Montana for a year JUST because of the photos of this one cabin in the woods (it’s a good story. Ask us if you’d like to hear it.)

​If you apply the lessons in this course, ​you can produce photos that are as good as at least SOME of the professional photographers doing this for a living. We see pro photos all the time that violate a number of the lessons you will be learning in this course. The relevant question is, will my new photos make me more money? We are confident the answer is "Yes".

You’d think so, wouldn’t you? Well, the answer is, yes and no. While there is definitely value in racking up hours practicing photography, there are 2 other extremely relevant factors to consider: 1) It’s not practice that makes perfect, it’s perfect practice. Practicing the wrong stuff just ingrains bad habits. 2) We are HUGE fans of the Pareto Principle (otherwise known as the 80/20 rule). In this case, that would be that learning 20% of what a pro photographer knows (as long as it’s the RIGHT 20%), will allow you to achieve 80% (or more) of the quality that they produce. That’s why we built this course.

Congratulations. We hope you’re right. We’re rooting for you. We really are. Unfortunately, as in most things, there is the potential for people to be biased in favor of their own stuff.

Here’s an example. We recently did a survey. All of the participants were vacation rental owners. The ones who hired a pro to take their photos rated their quality as 8.4 (1-10). Want to guess what the owners who took their own photos rated them? 7.9. So, either the ones who took them themselves just happened to be amazingly good amateurs OR they overrated their own photos (and the pro-hirers might have under-rated the pro photos too).

It’s documented that 80% of the​ listings on Airbnb are “not good”. Not everyone’s baby is cute. Percentages are probably similar on other listing sites. If you think you’re already in the top 20%, but want another opinion, just ask us. We promise to be as honest and accurate as we can. If they’re good, we’ll tell you​.