When it comes to booking your Airbnb or short-term rental, first impressions aren’t just important, they’re critical. Before a guest reads your description, checks your amenities, or compares your pricing, they see one thing first: your hero photo.

In this blog, we’re breaking down exactly what a hero photo is, why it matters so much, and how to choose one that gets more clicks, saves, and ultimately, bookings.

What Is a Hero Photo?

Your hero photo is the main image of your Airbnb or Online Travel Agency (OTA) listing. It’s the photo that shows up in search results and acts as your property’s “packaging.”

Think of it like this:
If your listing were a dating profile, your hero photo would be the photo doing all the heavy lifting. It’s the image that convinces a potential guest to click, explore, and imagine themselves staying at your property.

Because of that, your hero photo should always be:

• Your strongest image
• Visually striking at a small size
• Focused on experience, not just space
  

 

The Biggest Mistake Hosts Make With Hero Photos

One of the most common mistakes we see is hiring just any professional photographer.

Not all photographers are created equal, and for short-term rentals, real estate photography is not the same as STR or hospitality photography.

A real estate photographer’s goal is to document a space accurately for a buyer. An STR-focused photographer’s goal is to sell an experience, staging the home perfectly to tell a story.

What an STR-focused photographer does differently:

• Captures amenities, not just rooms
• Uses color, warmth, and saturation to evoke emotion
• Highlights bedrooms, gathering spaces, and guest experiences
• Often includes lifestyle photography with people enjoying the space

Lifestyle photos, in particular, help potential guests subconsciously picture themselves there. When guests can imagine their own memories unfolding in your property, clicking “Book” feels natural.

Top Hero Photo Trends That Stop the Scroll

While there’s no single formula, the highest-performing hero photos often fall into a few key categories. (Bonus points if your listing can check more than one box!)

1. Eye-Catching Murals or Statement Design

Bold design stops the scroll.

Murals, statement walls, trending sayings, and intentional pops of color immediately grab attention among rows of neutral listings. These design elements create memorability and brand your property visually in a guest’s mind.

If your target guest can instantly recognize your style or the property’s vibe from one image, you’re already ahead of your competition.

2. Amenity-Forward Spaces

Guests want to know what makes your property special, and they want to know quickly.

If you have a standout amenity, consider making it your hero photo. This includes:

• • Hot tubs
  • Inground pools
  • Pickleball or sport courts
  • Saunas
  • Outdoor entertaining spaces

You don’t want guests to have to click, scroll, and hunt to discover your best features. Show them upfront.

Even if a guest doesn’t end up booking, amenity-driven hero photos often lead to more clicks, shares, and saves, which boosts overall visibility.

Example from Peaks and Pines on Elni, MI

 

3. Exterior & Destination-Driven Shots

Many travelers book properties because of where they are, not just what’s inside.

Exterior shots work especially well when they highlight:

• • Mountain, forest, lake, or beach settings
  • Outdoor experiences tied to the destination
  • Fire pits, hot tubs, or patios with views
    

If your property is in the woods, show the woods. If it’s on the water, show the water. Let guests immediately feel immersed in the destination they’re dreaming about.

4. Lifestyle Photography That Creates FOMO

Lifestyle shots are some of the most powerful hero photos you can use.

These images show people actively enjoying the property: kayaking on the lake, grilling outside, relaxing with friends, or unwinding by the fire. One photo can communicate multiple experiences at once.

Lifestyle hero photos work because they:

• • Help guests visualize themselves in the space
  • Highlight amenities naturally
  • Trigger a subtle sense of FOMO

When guests see others having an amazing time at your property, they want that same experience for themselves.

Example from Endless Sunset in Rogers, KY

 

What If You Don’t Have Big Amenities?

Not every property has a pool, hot tub, or epic view, and that’s okay.

If that’s the case, focus on your best-designed space:

• A beautifully styled living room
• A cozy, well-designed bedroom
• A standout dining or gathering area

Your hero photo should always showcase the most intentional and visually appealing part of your home.

And if you feel like none of your rooms truly stand out yet, this is where strategic design updates can make a massive difference – We’re here to help!

A Budget-Friendly Way to Upgrade Your Hero Photo

If a full redesign isn’t in the cards right now, a targeted refresh can still deliver big results.

At Pink Wall Designs, we offer our Micro Boost service for hosts who want to:

• Redesign one key room or exterior space
• Maximize impact on a limited budget
• Create a scroll-stopping hero photo

Many of our clients choose to design just one space, then invest in professional STR photography for that space. The result? A completely new hero photo that elevates the entire listing and drives higher engagement. Then, when bookings are up and there’s more revenue coming in, we can tackle another space with that revenue. Continuous growth boosts ROI!

 

Final Thoughts: Your Hero Photo Is Worth the Effort

Your hero photo is the most important image in your listing. Every high-performing listing has one, and it almost always includes at least one of these elements:

• Strong design
• Clear amenities
• Destination context
• Lifestyle storytelling
  

Take a moment to look at your current listing and ask yourself:
Is this truly my best first impression?

If not, even small, intentional updates can make a measurable difference in clicks, bookings, and overall performance.

And if you’re ready to elevate your listing with high-impact, high-ROI design, we’re here. Book your complimentary consultation with our team today!

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