Short-Term Rental Photography Secrets with Andrew Keller

In this episode of the STR Data Lab, AirDNA’s Chief Economist Jamie Lane sits down with Andrew Keller, founder of ISO Need Photos and a rising authority in short-term rental (STR) photography. Whether you're furnishing your first STR or managing a high-performing portfolio, this conversation dives into how high-quality visuals can set your listing apart—and drive higher occupancy rates and revenue.

Andrew has photographed more than 200 STRs across 22 U.S. states and Costa Rica, perfecting a style that blends artful design with booking strategy. He shares the importance of staging, lighting, seasonality, and other often-overlooked details that elevate listings. From drone imagery and 3D floor plans to lifestyle shots that answer unspoken guest questions, this episode is a must-listen for anyone serious about creating a best-in-class STR listing.

Here’s what you can expect from this episode:

Why short-term rental photography is one of the most misunderstood (and most powerful) parts of a listing
How professional photos can increase bookings by 10–20% or more
The key differences between STR photography and traditional real estate photography
How to stage your rental like a pro—including details that most hosts miss
Why time of day matters when capturing photos and how Andrew plans full-day shoots for better light and variety
Tips for choosing the right photography for your short-term rental listing, even if you go the DIY route
How to find and vet a quality STR photographer in your market

Episode Highlights

Introduction

Jamie kicks off the episode by reflecting on his own experience hiring Andrew to photograph his short-term rental. What he thought would be a standard shoot turned into a lesson in strategy—from creating scroll-stopping hero images to anticipating guest concerns with detailed lifestyle shots. This episode explores how photography isn’t just about aesthetics—it’s a key contributor to trust, clarity, and conversions.

Meet the Guest: Andrew Keller of ISO Need Photos

Andrew Keller’s journey into STR photography began in 2020 with a drone and a river cabin. Since then, he's built a thriving business based on one philosophy: go above and beyond to help hosts get more bookings. From the start, Andrew has emphasized variety and depth in his work—delivering more than 150 edited photos per shoot, including drone shots, twilight exteriors, cozy interiors, and amenity close-ups.

Andrew believes great photography tells a story, and a well-told story is what turns curious booking platform browsers into paying guests.

STR Photography: More Than Just Good Lighting

A recurring theme throughout the episode is how professional short-term rental photography directly impacts bookings. Andrew’s clients consistently report 10–20% increases in performance after upgrading their photos. For properties grossing $50K or more annually, that’s thousands in added revenue.

It’s not just about glossy images, though. Andrew explains how quality photography builds trust. When guests see clean, welcoming spaces and can visualize the layout through drone photos or 3D floor plans, they ask fewer questions and book more confidently.

Staging Like a Superhost

Staging isn’t about perfection—it’s about preparation. Andrew offers a detailed rundown of how to prep for a shoot, from the basics (clean spaces, working lights, matching dinnerware) to standout touches like:

Setting the dining table completely
Filling the hot tub
Adding string lights for ambiance
Including lifestyle elements like cozy blankets or mock place settings

Hosts should aim to make the home “guest-ready,” not just photo-ready. That means no visible clutter, no half-finished installations, and no last-minute scrambles. Andrew recommends that hosts treat the shoot as if a five-star guest were checking in.

Choosing the Right Photography for Your Short-Term Rental Listing

When it comes to choosing the right photography for your short-term rental listing, Andrew has advice for both pros and DIYers. For those with a good camera and some editing know-how, he recommends:

Shooting from light-switch height for more natural angles
Keeping vertical lines straight to avoid distortion
Turning on all interior lights and opening window blinds
Avoiding ceiling fans and toilet lids in the frame
Shoot photos in a RAW file format rather than a compressed format like JPEG

For those hiring a photographer, he suggests using local STR Facebook groups to find recommendations. Ask for links to the last 10 Airbnb listings they’ve shot. This offers a more realistic view of their capabilities than a polished portfolio will.

Beyond the Basics: Floor Plans, Drone Footage, & Seasonal Updates

The episode also dives into lesser-known photography strategies that make a big difference:

3D floor plans: These reduce booking friction by showing exactly where guests will sleep or how accessible the property is.
Labeled drone shots: Show distance to key amenities like beaches, trails, or downtown.
Seasonal refreshes: Hiring a local photographer to update exteriors during fall foliage or summer green-ups can boost bookings without the cost of a full shoot.

The Hero Image Dilemma

What’s the best hero image to lead your listing? According to Andrew, it depends, but it must stand out in the search feed. Twilight exteriors with warm window light tend to outperform daytime shots, but if every listing in your market does the same, consider leading with a unique view or amenity.

A smart approach? Test and rotate. As seasons change and your listing evolves, so should your lead image.

Final Tips for Hosts

As the episode winds down, Andrew shares a few final tips:

Always prep your property as if it’s about to welcome guests.
Think about what your guests need to know—and answer that visually.
Consider small, ongoing updates. New game room feature? New outdoor seating? Get one or two photos to reflect that.
Don’t skip the details. A single labeled drawer photo can communicate more than a paragraph of listing text.

Connect with Andrew Keller

Interested in working with Andrew? Visit ISO Need Photos or text him directly at 423-316-1967 to get on his schedule.

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https://app.airdna.co/data

Connect with Jamie on LinkedIn and Twitter:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamiehlane/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/Jamie_Lane

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LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sagescott

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LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/airdna/

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Listen On:

Up Next:

Finding and Creating Super Properties with Bill Faeth

In this episode of the STR Data Lab, Jamie Lane, Chief Economist at AirDNA, sits down with Bill Faeth, a seasoned real estate investor and founder of Build Short-Term Rental Wealth. With over 30 years of investing experience and a knack for turning ordinary homes into extraordinary performers, Bill unpacks what it really takes to create a super property—a short-term rental (STR) that consistently outpaces the competition.

Whether you’re an aspiring host or a portfolio pro, this episode will change how you think about Short-Term Rental (STR) properties. From grading investments to leveraging natural assets, Bill shares actionable insights to help you build profitable, scalable, and standout short-term rentals in any market, especially in today’s economic climate.

Here’s what you can expect from this episode:

Discover the core characteristics of a super property and why it’s not about size.
Learn how to identify and capitalize on market gaps with strategic grading tools.
Get tips for avoiding the most common STR investment pitfalls.
Understand how to use super property management to increase occupancy and drive return on investment (ROI).
Hear why outdoor space and views often matter more than a luxury interior.

Episode Highlights

Introduction

Jamie opens the episode by welcoming Bill Faeth and highlighting his unique investment philosophy. Bill discusses how a friendly golf game in Nashville sparked his shift from long-term rentals to short-term investing back in 2015. Since then, he’s scaled a multi-million dollar portfolio by staying laser-focused on quality over quantity.

What is a Super Property?

Forget size—Bill redefines the term “super property” as a top-performing rental that beats market expectations. Whether it’s a six-bedroom in Gulf Shores, Alabama or a one-bedroom ski-in/ski-out condo in Whitefish, Montana, it’s the property's location, view, and marketability—not square footage—that drives revenue.

According to Bill, a super property performs in the top 10% of revenue potential based on bedroom count and location.

How Bill Grades STR Properties

Bill introduces the Super Property Grader, a tool he built to evaluate 10 critical factors—location, proximity, views, amenities, photo quality, and more. This grading system helps him spot hidden gems, avoid compromises, and unlock the full revenue potential of an STR property. It’s not just about data analysis—it’s about understanding how to turn that data into dollars.

The Power of Outdoor Appeal

The biggest investment mistake? Focusing too much on interior upgrades. Bill urges investors to “buy what God built”—prioritizing properties with unbeatable views, walkable access to natural features, and strong proximity advantages. He gives examples of how a $250 telescope and a well-placed sauna helped him double annual revenue on a riverfront Montana property.

Avoiding the Most Common Mistakes

According to Bill, many investors rush the process and compromise on properties that don’t truly fit their strategy. Others underestimate the power of design, market differentiation, and patient deal sourcing. Bill shares how long it took him to find some of his best-performing properties—and why waiting for the right one pays off.

Finding Underrated Markets

From Banner Elk to Fort Morgan, Bill talks about his strategy of targeting tertiary markets rather than saturated hotspots like Big Sky, Montana or Destin, Florida. He looks for markets with multiple traffic drivers, limited competition, and strong appreciation potential. This segment is full of tips for using STR properties in lesser-known areas to outperform the big names.

Why Now Is the Time to Invest

Despite economic uncertainty, Bill sees opportunity. With many hosts spooked by high interest rates and lower earnings, it’s the perfect time for savvy investors to pounce. He discusses why deals made today, at current rates and prices, could set up massive wins when conditions improve.

This episode is packed with insights for anyone serious about building wealth through short-term rentals. Bill’s advice challenges conventional wisdom and offers a new lens for evaluating investments. His approach to super property management emphasizes patience, strategic grading, and creative leverage of natural assets.

Connect with Bill Faeth

Want to evaluate your next investment like Bill? Try his Super Property Grader and see how your potential purchase stacks up.

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