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SCHEDULING
DELIVERY
NAMING
PHOTOSHOOT OVERVIEW
EQUIPMENT
LIGHTING
MAIN & OTHER AREAS
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DO AND DON'T
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TIPS & TRICKS
What's a perfect shoot looks like
Airbnb_Logo_edited.png

AirBnB Photoshoot

V2.0 - 2021.10.01

OCUS LOGO

Airbnb, Inc. operates an online marketplace for travel information and booking services. The Company offers lodging, home-stay, and tourism services via websites and mobile applications. Airbnb serves clients worldwide.

SCHEDULING


How to do scheduling?

DELIVERY

When and how to upload my images

OCUS Dashboard

  1. Only upload native RAW files straight from your camera (.nef, .arw, .cr2, etc...).

  2. Select your best photos.

  3. Upload your files on your Assignment page.

  4. After clicking Validate the assignment, leave us a comment to let us know how the photoshoot went.

NAMING

FILES:

  • Rename your files following this structure: AssignmentID_AssignmentName_xxx

  • Example: 112542541_60ChapelleStreet_003.nef

FOLDERS:

  • Rename your folder following this structure: AssignmentID_AssignmentName

  • Example: 112542541_60ChapelleStreet.zip

PHOTOSHOOT OVERVIEW

Goal

Think editorial rather than real-estate.

If the on-site contact requests photos in disagreement with the instructions below, leave a comment on your OCUS Dashboard


Packages

(Check your OCUS Dashboard)

Studio: 15 pics

1 Bed Room: 20 pics

2 Bed Room: 25: pics

3 Bed Room: 30 pics

4 Bed Room: 35 pics


Key phototypes

  1. Main Areas Minimum 2-3 Straight on +1 Angle for each area

  2. Other Areas Minimum 2 Straight on +1 Angle for each area

  3. Exterior Optional

  4. Verticals Optional

  5. Surrounding areas Optional


/!\ Attention /!\

The on-site contact might request additional photos not included in these guidelines. Please do your best to honor their request, then let us know afterward by leaving a comment on your OCUS Dashboard.

EQUIPMENT

Camera.png

Full frame


General setting:

  • RAW format

  • ISO max : 800

  • Avoid shutter speed over 2 seconds

Lens.png

16-50 mm


General setting:

  • Aperture: f/8 - f/16

  • 16mm for wide view

  • 35-50mm for close-up view (hightlight shoot)

Tripod.png

Tripod mandatory


General setting:

  • Keep the tripod at around 4ft or 1.25m, the door handles could be used as a reference

LIGHTING

  • Always use natural light. Never use flash, bounce, or strobes.

  • Turn off interior lights (except when the area has no windows).

  • Open curtains and blinds.

MAIN & OTHER AREAS


Description


Quantity: 3 photos minimum per area

  • Prioritize the main areas

  • 2 straight-on (Horizontal) + 1 angled (Horizontal) minimum per area

  • Straight-on:

    • Center your subject (object or the back wall) in the frame.

    • Shoot the room straight from at least two different perspectives.


  • Angled:

    • Show information about the room layout.

    • Illustrate how a room communicates with the rest of the house.


Main areas

Bedrooms

Kitchen

Living Room

Pool Area


Other areas

Bathrooms

Dining Room

Patio/Deck/Garden

Hot tub/Spa

Common spaces

Recreation area/Gym

Rooftop + Views

Entryway

Parking

Balcony


ADD OUTSIDE examples (rooftop, view, garden ...)


Capture instruction


  • All accessibility features must be shown, especially features for individuals with reduced mobility

  • Hide all wires and cables

  • Turn off screens and lights

  • On beds: make sure there is nothing "hotel-like" (towels, cards, flowers ...)

  • Closets should be closed & room doors wide open


Camera settings


  • Bracketing (3 exposures): -2/0/+2 or -3/0/+3

  • 16 - 20mm

  • Aperture > f/8 - f/16

  • Tripod Height: 1.25m

  • Horizontal/Landscape (vertical can be used in very tight space)

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EXTERIOR

Description


  • Quantity: 2 photos minimum, on from each of 2 angles (straight-on & angled)

  • Capture the facade and the entry of the property/building.


/!\ ATTENTION: If you cannot avoid people showing in your frame, do not shoot the exterior photos.


Capture instruction


  • Open a window or the front door

  • Turn on the lights inside to illuminate the house

  • Prioritize straight-on photos

  • Capture plenty of negative space, emphasizing the nature surrounding exteriors

  • Center the building in the frame


Camera settings


  • Bracketing (3 exposures): -2/0/+2 or -3/0/+3

  • 16-50 mm

  • Aperture > f/8 - f/16

  • Tripod Height: 1.25m

  • Horizontal/Landscape

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VERTICALS

Description


  • Quantity: Optional (to complete minimum quantity)

  • Vertical compositions can be used when meeting interesting details and notable amenities.


Capture instruction


  • Verticals should ideally be shot between 35-50mm to avoid distortion and lack of context, but are not close up images

Camera settings


  • 35-50 mm

  • Aperture > f/8 - f/16

  • Tripod Height: 1.25m

  • Horizontal/Landscape

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SURROUNDING AREAS


Description


  • Quantity: Optional

  • Photos should only include locations within a 5 minute walk of the property.

  • Capture the essence of the local area:

    • Picturesque streets

    • Cafes or restaurants

    • Points of interest (such as parks or museums)

    • Beautiful rural areas if the property is located in the countryside


Capture instruction


  • Photos should also capture the architectural style and general atmosphere of the area

  • Photographs must be shot at an angle that allows seeing the area in its entirety

  • Use bracketing if necessary


Camera settings


  • Bracketing (3 exposures) if necessary

  • 16-35 mm

  • Aperture > f/8 - f/16

  • Horizontal/Landscape

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DO AND DON'T

Mains & other areas

  • Do not shoot wider than 16mm

  • Do not shoot detail or close-ups; try to give context to your photos

  • Capture the same facility/room from different angles rather than shooting duplicates

  • Avoid shooting from a high-angle or low-angle view

  • Try not to plan the photoshoot when weather conditions are not optimal (rainy, snowy, foggy conditions...)

  • Do not show reflections of people or camera equipment in glass or mirrors

  • Do not include people or animals in the frame

  • Avoid picturing brand names

Exterior

  • Do not frame too tight; the property must be fully in-frame

  • Avoid cars and road signs whenever possible

Vertical

  • Vertical photos are not intended to be close-up images of singular objects and do not have to be shot straight on

Surroundings Areas

  • Avoid crowded areas

  • Don't shoot close-ups/details; shoot wide

  • Don't photograph areas under construction


Remember: Lights Off, Nothing on Beds, Open Curtains + Blinds, Open Doors to Connecting Rooms



Remember: Provide Context, Avoid Frame Obstructions, Avoid Going Too Wide

TIPS & TRICKS

Bracketing

  • 3 exposures

    • -2/0+2 or -3/0/+3 in extreme conditions


ISO 400, F8, 1/2s



ISO 400, F8, 8s


ISO 400, F8, 2s


After OCUS post-production


Camera Height

  • Balance the visible amount of floor and ceiling

  • Keep the tripod at around 4ft or 1.25m, the door handles could be used as a reference

  • Adjust the height of your camera based on the room type. Top surfaces of countertops, beds, tables, and sofas should always be revealed.


Focal Point centered



Accessibility

Guests with reduced or limited mobility rely on photography to determine if a home is suitable for their stay. Photos help guests feel confident their needs will be met.

  • Prioritize floors to show path for a wheelchair

  • Highlights space that allows wheelchair access

  • Open door to show connection between spaces



  1. The door open helps to connect spaces visually

  2. Clearly shows floor path

  3. Features no-step entry

  4. Curtain open revealing shower

  5. Highlights space beneath the sink for wheelchair access


What's a perfect shoot looks like

Please check this Dropbox Folder for original photos

Here are some Additional examples
Airbnb_Logo.png

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OCUS LOGO

Thank you for your work!

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