Why it pays to change your listing photos with the seasons
In winter, guests are interested in a cosy interior and somewhere to relax after skiing. In summer, a terrace, garden or barbecue area may appeal more. Well-chosen photos help show a property's strengths for the time of year guests are planning to stay.
Photos are among the first things guests notice when choosing accommodation. Even so, many properties use the same shots all year round.
That isn’t necessarily a mistake. Good interior photos matter in every season. But if a property also has seasonal advantages, it would be a shame not to show them at the right time.
Guests aren’t always looking for the same thing
Imagine a holiday home with a fireplace, a terrace and a large garden.
A family planning a summer holiday may be drawn to the garden, outdoor seating and space for children. A group of friends looking for a winter weekend, on the other hand, may want a cosy living room, a fireplace and plenty of room for evenings together.
The property is still the same, but the reasons guests choose it change through the year.
What’s worth showing in each season?
Spring
Bright interiors, a garden coming to life, views and options for trips nearby. Spring is also a good time to update your exterior photos after the winter.
Summer
A terrace, barbecue, outdoor seating, garden or equipment for children. Show the spaces guests can really use during their stay.
Autumn
Colourful surroundings, views, comfortable indoor spaces and the atmosphere of a quieter stay. Autumn photos can look especially good for chalets in nature.
Winter
Snowy surroundings, a cosy interior, a fireplace or a shared living area. If the property is close to ski resorts, it’s worth mentioning this in the description too.
You don’t need a completely new gallery for every season. It’s often enough to add a few good shots that show the property’s seasonal strengths.
The order of the photos matters too
The main photo should catch the eye and at the same time capture the property as well as possible.
In winter, a shot of a cosy living room with a fireplace may be the best choice, and in summer, a photo of the terrace with a view.
That doesn’t mean a seasonal photo always has to come first. If a property has a striking exterior or an attractive interior, that may be its greatest strength all year round.
The order of the other shots matters as well. Guests should quickly be able to see what the bedrooms, bathrooms, kitchen, shared spaces and outdoor facilities look like.
Update your photos ahead of time
Guests often book their stays several weeks or months in advance. So it pays to think about the next season before it starts.
If, for example, bookings for winter dates start coming in during autumn, that’s a good time to check whether your gallery shows the property’s winter strengths clearly enough.
In the same way, in spring you can put more emphasis on the garden, the terrace and summer relaxation.
The aim isn’t to change photos according to the date on the calendar, but according to which stays guests are deciding to book right now.
Photos must match reality
Credibility matters when presenting accommodation.
If you show a hot tub, pool, fireplace or other equipment, guests should be clearly told when and under what conditions they can use it.
Also avoid shots that create unrealistic expectations. A beautiful photo can attract attention, but guest satisfaction depends on what actually awaits them on arrival.
How we approach photos
We continually adapt photos and their order to the character of the property and the time of year guests are booking for.
In the Full Service + Growth package, we also refresh photos and listing texts, so the property’s presentation stays current and attractive.
Not sure whether your listing shows all your property’s strengths?
We’d be happy to look at it during a free consultation and suggest what would be worth changing.
