10 Creative Ways to Use Your Airbnb Lifestyle Photos

When you invest in lifestyle photography for your Airbnb, you’re not just booking a gallery of pretty pictures—you’re capturing a whole guest experience.

And while your listing and Instagram feed are great places to start, your photos can (and should!) go so much further.

(Side Note – if you’re wondering “What’s the difference between lifestyle and real estate photos?”, you’re not alone. In this blog post, I walk you through the difference between the two!)

Here are 10 creative, guest-focused ways to use your lifestyle photos and how they can help you turn browsers into bookers, guests into return visitors, and your brand into something memorable.

How To Use Your Airbnb Lifestyle Photos (Beyond Just Your Listing and Social Media)

1. Elevate Your Digital Guidebook

Start by weaving lifestyle images throughout your welcome guide—whether it’s a digital version in your guest portal or a printable PDF. Use photos that show how your space feels, not just what it looks like.

Here are five ways to pair lifestyle images with guest-friendly info:

1. ☕ Cozy Coffee Moment

   Pair a warm, inviting coffee photo with your morning café recommendations or notes about the best local roasters.

2. 🧺 Picnic on the Porch or Lawn

   Match a picnic or grazing board image with your list of farmers markets, delis, or seasonal events like outdoor concerts.

   
   
   
   

A picnic, a Wagoneer, and a love story in every frame.

👉 Want to see this idea in action?

Check out one of my recent Instagram posts, where I used a styled picnic shoot to show how Airbnb hosts can tell a bigger story with their photos. It’s not just about capturing a pretty setup—it’s about helping future guests feel what it’s like to be there.

3. 🛁 Bathtub or Wind-Down Vignette

   Add a photo of a candle-lit bath setup or a plush robe next to the tub and link it to spa recommendations or self-care shops nearby.

4. 📚 Reading Nook or Bedside Table

   Use an image of a styled reading corner to suggest local bookstores or include your own seasonal book picks.

5. 🔥 Fire Pit or Outdoor Blanket Scene

   Pair it with your favorite stargazing spots, s’mores kit instructions, or even a nighttime local activity like a ghost tour or outdoor movie.

🔥 Bonus Tip:

If your stay includes firewood, snap a cozy shot of it stacked or styled near the fire pit—then let guests know it’s provided.

If you don’t include firewood (which is totally fine!), use your guidebook to share where guests can purchase firewood and fire starters locally before they arrive. 

Want more ideas on how to make your fire pit feel extra special?

👉 Check out my blog on creating a cozy fire pit experience

2.  🎶 Turn a Photo into a Spotify Playlist Cover

Create a seasonal playlist for your guests—think “Mountain Morning Mix” or “Coastal Campfire Vibes”—and use one of your lifestyle images as the cover. It’s a small detail that adds personality and reinforces your brand in a fun, memorable way.

We do this all the time at The Pocono Bear Den! Our playlist library is growing, and guests love it. 

👉Check out our collection on Spotify—including our latest mix right here: picnic playlist .

3. Design QR Code Signs with Visual Appeal

Instead of a generic QR code, place it over a lifestyle image that reflects what it links to (local recs, checkout instructions, hiking trails). Your guests are more likely to scan something that invites them in.

4. Send a Photo-Filled Email to Past Guests

Use your lifestyle photos to craft a newsletter or follow-up message that sparks nostalgia—and encourages repeat bookings.

Rather than a generic reminder to come back, make it personal and seasonal. Include a photo they’ll remember—like a cozy night by the fire or the exact deck view they had their morning coffee on.

✨ Here are a few quarterly email ideas:

• Winter Warm-Up:Subject line: "Missing cozy mornings and hot cocoa?"

   → Share a photo of the fireplace or a candlelit tub, and remind guests how peaceful winter getaways can be.

   → Add a quick note about snowshoe rentals or seasonal events nearby.

• Spring Refresh:Subject line: "Spring is blooming in the mountains"

   → Showcase images of budding trees, hiking trails, or breakfast on the porch.

   → Offer a special for returning guests or early spring bookings.

Flames flickering, marshmallows crisping, and the kind of quiet that feels like magic.

• Summer Escape:Subject line: "Your summer spot is calling ☀️"

   → Include photos of outdoor dining, hammock naps, or lake swims.

   → Highlight your newest seasonal amenities, for example like s'mores kits or new beach towels.

• Fall Vibes:Subject line: "Fall is golden at [Your Airbnb Name]"

   → Feature lifestyle photos of colorful leaves, charcuterie on the deck, or pumpkin bread in the oven.  

  → Mention nearby fall festivals or scenic drives.

5. Frame a Few Inside the Home

Let your guests see the lifestyle of your stay in the décor itself. Print and frame a few lifestyle shots—like a picnic scene or cozy coffee corner—to reinforce your vibe from the moment they walk in.

6. Create a Seasonal Carousel for Instagram

Have a few photos that capture spring blooms, fall leaves, or snowy moments? Use them to rotate seasonal content and highlight the beauty of your space year-round.

💡Pro Tip: Schedule one seasonal carousel per quarter with a CTA like “Save this for your next [fall escape/summer stay].”  Bonus points if you pair it with a seasonal playlist or a local event guide—this turns a scroll into a dream stay.

Want a head start?

Grab my free Canva template—designed to help you create branded, value-driven carousels in minutes.

👉 Check it out here!  This type of post not only breaks up your feed visually, it reinforces your brand and offers real value to potential guests.

7. Use Lifestyle Photos to Build a Visual Local Map

Create a digital or printable map where each pin is tied to an experience—not just a location.

Instead of a basic list of cafés, shops, or trails, guests can see what it’s like to be there:

📍 A picnic photo → links to your favorite scenic overlook

📍 A cozy coffee scene → links to your go-to espresso bar

📍 A board game night photo → links to the local toy/bookstore

It’s storytelling through visuals—designed to help guests explore like locals and feel connected before they even arrive.

💡 Pro Tip: Pair your clickable Google Map with lifestyle photo cards, a PDF, or a page in your digital welcome book. You can even add a QR code in your Airbnb or pre-stay emails so guests can pull it up instantly.

🔗 How to Make a Clickable Google Map:

1. Go to Google My Maps

2. Click “Create a New Map”

3. Drop pins for your recommended spots

4. Add a title, short description, and helpful links (menus, permits, ticketing info)

5. Optional: Link to a hosted image to create a thumbnail

6. Click Share, set visibility to “Anyone with the link,” and you’re good to go!

💡 Simple How-To: Turn Your Map Into a Clickable Guest Guide

Once your map is built, it’s easy to turn it into a guest-friendly experience they’ll actually use.

Here’s how:

1. Match a few lifestyle photos to your pinned locations.

2. Drop them into a short PDF or digital welcome guide with little blurbs for each.

3. Link the text or photos directly to your map—or just include the full map link at the top.

4. Share it with guests before they arrive, or leave a printed copy in your space.

5. Bonus: Add a QR code so guests can access it with a quick scan on their phones.

Want to see what this looks like in action?

👉 Check out one of our most-used Arizona clickable maps

This is the exact tool my family uses to explore Arizona with ease—pre-pinned hikes, scenic spots, and local gems all in one place. It’s beautiful, functional, and totally guest-friendly.

8.  Use in Collaborations with Local Businesses

If your shoot featured a local bakery, flower shop, or wine bar, share a few images with those vendors for mutual promotion. It’s a win-win—and shows off your community connections.

Here are a few easy (and beautiful) ways to incorporate local touches into your Airbnb lifestyle shoot:

✅ Charcuterie + Wine Moment

Staged with a bottle from the neighborhood wine shop and a charcuterie box from a local vendor.

→ Tag the businesses, and offer them a few watermarked photos to share in return.

✅ Farmers Market Salad Fixings

Think: radishes, heirloom tomatoes, and crusty bread from the Saturday market—laid out on a wood table or picnic blanket.

→ Mention the market in your listing or welcome guide.

✅ Bakery Breakfast Spread

Croissants and pastries from a beloved café on pretty plates near the coffee bar.

→ Include a shot of the branded pastry bag or coffee cup!

✅ Books from the Local Indie Shop

Add a few curated titles from a small bookstore to your coffee table or nightstand vignette.

→ Offer to tag or feature their shop in your social posts or listing.

✅ Florals from a Local Grower

Create a cozy tablescape with in-season blooms from a nearby flower farm or stand.

→ Tie it into a blog post about seasonal stays or include them in your Airbnb welcome guide.

✅ Candle or Soap Makers

Style the bathroom or nightstand with locally made candles, soaps, or linen sprays.

→ Offer them a shoutout in your caption and ask if they’d like to reshare.

✅ Outdoor Adventure or Picnic Gear

Set up a picnic with sandwiches and thermoses from a local deli or include kayaks, bikes, or snowshoes from a nearby rental shop in your shoot.

→ This encourages guests to book more experiences and makes local businesses feel seen.

If this shotlist sounds overwhelming to you, you don’t have to do it alone! When working with clients to take  Airbnb lifestyle photos, I don’t just show up with a camera. I research your local area, explore nearby small businesses, and thoughtfully incorporate local touches—like wine from the corner shop, blooms from a nearby farm stand, or fresh market finds—right into the shoot.

Why? Because those little details do big work.They not only elevate your space visually, but they also highlight the community around you—helping guests feel more connected and giving local businesses a well-deserved spotlight.

It’s more than a photoshoot, it’s a storytelling session rooted in place.

9. Add Visuals to Booking Confirmation or Check-In Messages

A friendly photo in a follow-up message goes a long way. Use a lifestyle image to welcome guests, set expectations, or give a sneak peek at what’s waiting for them.

10.  Build a Brand That Guests Remember

Your Airbnb isn’t just a place to stay. It’s a feeling, a vibe, a story. Your lifestyle photos help bring that story to life across every touchpoint: your website, email signature, booking site, even print materials.

Don’t let your photos sit in a folder. Use them to welcome, inspire, and connect. Because when your space feels like a story, guests don’t just stay, they remember.

💼 Ready to Build an Airbnb Photo Gallery That Works Harder for You?

If you’re ready to move beyond basic Airbnb listing photos and create a gallery that tells your unique story, I’d love to work with you.

I specialize in capturing cozy, real-life moments in Airbnb spaces—photos that not only look beautiful but also help your brand feel like you. I offer both full lifestyle packages and mini sessions designed to fit seamlessly between bookings.

📍 Traveling in New England, the Poconos, Florida, and beyond.

📸 Learn more about my Airbnb photography sessions here or send me a message to book.