How to Use Styled Shoots to Fill Open Dates at Your Airbnb
- Rachel Kate Knapp
- Jun 30
- 6 min read
How to Turn Your Airbnb’s Open Dates into a Styled Shoot Destination (and a Total Hot Spot)
Let’s be real—no one likes a gap in the calendar. Whether it’s a random Tuesday or a last-minute cancellation, watching your Airbnb sit empty can feel like a missed opportunity.
But what if those open dates could actually elevate your listing? What if they helped turn your Airbnb into the spot photographers are dying to shoot at—and future guests are racing to book?
Say hello to styled shoots.
Minimal effort, maximum reward. You don’t need props, models, or a Pinterest board. All you have to do is unlock the door and the photography host will do the rest!
What Is a Styled Shoot?
A styled shoot is a creative session where photographers—often with models, props, and a full vibe in mind—use a space to create dreamy, scroll-worthy content.
Think: lifestyle scenes, romantic setups, cozy corners, or even full-blown elopements—right inside your Airbnb.
It’s like handing your space over to a content dream team for the day.
Why Styled Shoots Love Airbnbs (Especially Yours)
As a host, you’ve already done the hard part: decorating beautifully and curating a vibe.
Photographers don’t want sterile studios—they want warmth, light, and character.
Your Airbnb already has all of that. You’ve created the perfect scene. Now you just need someone to capture it.
What You Have to Do (Hint: Barely Anything)
Rent your space like normal, most styled shoots are booked at your typical nightly rate plus a cleaning fee.
Shoots are often scheduled for a weekday to catch both golden evening light and cozy morning moments. But there’s flexibility! Many photographers are happy to book for just a few hours during the day.
That means you can earn during your “off” windows without losing a whole booking night.
They’ll bring the props, models, and creative direction.
You just prep the space and clean it after—just like any guest stay.
What You Get in Return
The benefits go beyond just filling a calendar gap. Hosting a styled shoot gives you:
A full gallery of lifestyle photos from talented photographers
Fresh marketing content that tells a visual story
More online visibility through posts, tags, and shares
A reputation boost—your Airbnb becomes that dreamy cabin or cozy cottage everyone recognizes from their feed
How to Attract Styled Shoots to Your Airbnb
Wondering how to get in on this? You don’t need to be in the wedding industry or have connections in photography circles. Styled shoots happen all the time, you just need to know where to look.
1. Tap Into Local Creative Communities
Search Facebook groups like “New England Styled Shoots” or “Styled Shoots – Florida and Beyond.” Nearly every region has a version of this.
Join local vendor groups geared toward photographers, stylists, and planners.
2. Connect With Photographers Directly
Here’s a DM I get all the time:
“Hey! Just wanted to say I love your work. I have a cozy Airbnb that’s open for weekday shoots if you ever need a lifestyle location!”
If you’re a host, flip the script and reach out to photographers whose work you admire. It’s a casual, kind, and effective way to get your space on their radar.
3. List Yourself as a Creative Location
Platforms like Peerspace let you rent your home for photoshoots (not overnight stays). Or just add an Instagram highlight like “Book for Shoots” so creatives know you’re open to it.
4. Share Open Dates Intentionally
Don’t just say, “Available July 12–13.” Say: “Photographers + content creators: Want a dreamy location for your next shoot? Our [cabin/cottage/beach house] is open July 12–13 for styled shoots. DM for details!”
This small tweak invites the right people to book.
5. Work With a Photographer (Just Once!)
If you’re curious but unsure how to begin, consider booking a session with a photographer who specializes in Airbnb or lifestyle content (psst—that’s me!).
I occasionally offer weekday styled shoots at a discounted day rate in exchange for gallery rights. You’ll walk away with proof of concept, beautiful photos, and content to begin marketing your space to other creatives.
You don’t need to organize a thing. I bring the vision, props, models (if needed), and cozy storytelling touches to make your Airbnb shine.
Bonus: Let Me Help You Make It Happen
Not sure where to start? I help Airbnb hosts transform their properties into styled shoot-ready spaces.
Whether you want guidance on how to prep your home (spoiler: it’s probably already ready!), need help connecting with creatives, or want a full lifestyle gallery to use for marketing—I've got you.
Reach out on Instagram or click here to learn more about my Airbnb Photography Services and let’s turn your empty weekdays into something magical.
So… Next Time Your Calendar Has a Gap?
Don’t sweat it—style it. Turning your Airbnb into a styled shoot location is one of the easiest and most effective ways to breathe new life into your listing.
Who knows? That random Tuesday might just be the day your Airbnb becomes a total hot spot.
P.S. Curious what a styled shoot actually looks like in real life?
I’ve had the joy of capturing these styled sessions all over New England . Not only do I love photographing the cozy, lived-in moments inside your Airbnb, but I also make it a point to highlight the area around it.
These shoots go beyond interiors, they tell a full story. One that helps potential guests feel what it’s like to stay there.
Styled shoots bring out the heart of your space and community. Want to create something like that together? I’d love to chat.
Massachusetts:
A space to play and just as easily, a space to tidy up.
From building towers with tiny hands to gathering game pieces back into a basket, these moments show more than just pretty light and textures.
They tell a story moms will appreciate: a calm, cozy Airbnb where playtime is encouraged—and cleanup doesn’t feel overwhelming.
It’s lifestyle imagery with function in mind, where the charm of slow moments meets the simplicity of thoughtful setups.
⬇️ Imagine this: it’s the holiday season. The scent of sugar cookies and cinnamon fills the air. A young family, gather around the Airbnb kitchen island, taking turns mixing, stirring, and sneaking bites of dough.
The oven timer dings, the cookies come out golden, and laughter bubbles up as they enjoy them warm, straight from the tray.
These are the kinds of moments that turn a stay into a story. When captured in photos, they help guests envision memories in the making, right in your home.
Maine:
⬆️These aren’t just pretty photos—they’re windows into what it feels like to stay.
From guitar strumming in a sun-drenched loft to quiet puzzles by the fire, and playful card games between snowflakes, each image invites guests to picture themselves in the scene not just visiting, but truly unwinding.
This is the kind of content that goes beyond showing what your Airbnb looks like, it helps guests imagine slow mornings, soft laughter, and staying present with the people they love most.
It’s what makes followers stop scrolling… and start planning.
Nantucket:
Styled shoots aren’t just about showcasing your space—they’re about telling the full story of a stay.
While many photos are taken inside the house or Airbnb, some of the most compelling moments happen just beyond the front door.
Like a young couple pedaling vintage bikes down a quiet Nantucket street, hydrangeas in full bloom.
Or a mom and her two daughters chasing waves and sharing seashell finds on a the beach.
These kinds of photos—woven in with cozy corners, coffee mugs, and morning light inside your home—help draw in both followers and future guests.
They don’t just show what the stay looks like.They show what it feels like.
Vermont:
Even in winter, connection blooms.
These images capture more than a couple in love they reflect the kind of experience guests can have when they visit: a quiet stroll through the snow, hands laced, pausing by the fence to admire the horses and breathe in the crisp, still air.
This is the power of a styled shoot. For Airbnb hosts, it’s not just about showing the space it’s about showing what it feels like to stay there. Even in the colder months, your property can offer warmth, wonder, and space to reconnect.
Styled shoots help you tell that story—beautifully, seasonally, and with heart.
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