Airbnb Photography Checklist for Cairns Properties

Photos are the first inspection. Before guests read a word of your description, they decide “yes/no/maybe” from the first 5 images. In Cairns, where natural light, greenery and water matter, a thoughtful shoot can lift click-through, save-to-wishlists and nightly rate.

Before you shoot: quick prep

• Declutter + stage: clear benches, remove cords, tidy remotes, fluff pillows, fold throws.
• Switch all lights on (warm bulbs if possible), and open sheers/blinds to bring the tropics in.
• Style for the stay: two pool towels on the bed, a beach bag by the door, coffee setup ready.
• Timing: aim for morning light for east-facing rooms, late afternoon for west-facing, and blue hour exteriors.

The 12-shot Cairns starter set (cover these first)

1. Hero exterior (or building entry) — blue hour if possible.
2. Main living wide — from two opposite corners.
3. Kitchen wide — benches clear, coffee kit styled.
4. Primary bedroom wide — bed centred, pillows fluffed.
5. Secondary bedroom wide — show configuration clearly.
6. Bathroom — clean mirror, folded towels, minimal bottles.
7. Balcony/patio — seating + view; include a morning coffee prop.
8. Pool or complex amenity — with people-free timing.
9. Workspace nook — chair, power point visible, good light.
10. Parking/entry — remove confusion before arrival.
11. Neighborhood teaser — esplanade, café, or nearest beach access.
12. Detail shot — welcome card, local treats, reef/lush textures.

Room-by-room checklist

Living

• Two wide angles from opposite corners (TV off, cords hidden).
• One mid shot that shows flow into dining/kitchen.
• One detail: throw + book + reef postcard or local plant.

Kitchen/Dining

• Wide kitchen with benches cleared (kettle, toaster aligned).
• Coffee/tea setup close-up; plates/cutlery neatly stacked.
• Dining set for two (or full capacity if it looks balanced).

Bedrooms

• Bed centred; pillows and duvet crisp; side lights on.
• Show storage (wardrobe/closet) and AC/fan if available.
• One detail: rolled towels with a palm leaf or welcome note.

Bathroom

• Mirror spotless; hide spare loo rolls/cleaners.
• Folded towel stack; small plant or soap detail.
• Shower/bath wide (pull curtain back neatly).

Outdoors & Amenities

• Balcony/patio with chairs angled towards view.
• Pool/BBQ/gym — avoid people; shoot golden hour when possible.
• Building entry + parking spot (clear signage helps guests).

Light, weather, and timing in Cairns

• Dry season: harder light at midday — aim morning/late arvo.
• Wet season: overcast is your friend — soft, even rooms.
• Blue hour: exteriors glow; turn every interior light on.
• Avoid harsh mix: if half the room is sun/half shadow, wait 20 minutes.

Post-shoot: quick edits & delivery

• Level verticals (no leaning walls), crop for clean lines.
• Lift shadows gently; don’t nuke saturation — keep it natural.
• Export 3000–4000px longest edge (Airbnb compresses; start sharp).
• Order images: 1–5 = strongest “tour”, then rooms, then amenities.

Common mistakes to avoid

• Too many close-ups: guests need to understand layout first.
• Night interiors only: looks dingy; include daytime sets.
• Busy styling: fewer, better props — it reads premium.
• Ambiguous bedding: clearly show sleeping capacity.

Want help?

We stage and photograph new listings around Cairns and the Northern Beaches. If you’d like us to shoot, we’ll handle staging, light timing, and delivery sized for Airbnb, Booking.com and Vrbo.

Estimate My Earnings Book a Free Consult