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Airbnb and short-term rental photography across Charlotte and Lake Norman.

Airbnb Photoshoot Turns Into a Commercial Photoshoot

A modern multi-story apartment building with large windows, balconies, and a brick and siding exterior sits beside a quiet urban street with minimal traffic and trees along the sidewalk.

Written by Hari

Sometimes an Airbnb photoshoot is just that — a handful of creative shots that expresses the space at its’ very best to help guests picture themselves settling in. And sometimes… it’s not. When you’ve got an Airbnb apartment in uptown Charlotte packed with sophisticated amenities, you can’t just snap a few angles and call it a day. This one went from “short term rental” shoot to a full-on commercial project without even trying.

A modern bedroom with a gray upholstered headboard, white bedding, two gray pillows, and two round bedside tables holding lamps and small plants. Abstract art and round mirrors hang on a gray wall above the bed.

Here’s the thing: I’ve done commercial shoots for ad agencies and hospitals. It’s muscle memory at this point. So when I’m standing in a STR rental space that clearly deserves more than a quick Airbnb gallery, I can’t shut that part of me off. The host cared enough to design the experience for guests, so I cared enough to photograph it like it belonged on a magazine spread. Fair’s fair, right?

A modern living room with tan leather sofas, colorful pillows, a wood accent wall with a TV, a circular chandelier, a green rug, office desks with computers, and various decor elements, including wall art and a sculptural chair.
A modern balcony with frosted glass railing, black chairs, a small table, a potted plant, and a city skyline with high-rise buildings in the background under a blue sky.

This wasn’t my first time working with this host, and just like before, they ticked every box to show guests exactly what to expect. That kind of attention deserves the same energy on my end. So yes, I went all in. The design, the flow, the details — all captured the way they should be. And at the end of the day, I’ll let the photos do the talking. After all, they say more than I ever could.

A modern lounge with a blue pool table centered on a patterned rug, surrounded by stylish seating, dining tables, and large windows letting in natural light. Spherical pendant lights hang from a wooden ceiling feature.

Photographing the apartment and the building

For an Uptown apartment, the building is part of what guests are booking. So this gallery covers both. Inside the unit, I shot the open kitchen with its island seating, the living area by the tall windows and the bedroom with city views. Then I photographed the shared spaces: the lobby, the lounge with its large sectional, the business center and the game area.

Those building shots answer the questions apartment guests always have. Is there a place to work? A place to relax that isn’t the bedroom? Is the entrance easy to find?

Treating it like a commercial shoot

Commercial work trains you to think about every frame as something a business will use for years. That meant clean verticals in every room, windows balanced so the city stays visible, and consistent color from the unit to the lobby, so the whole set looks like one place.

Details worth a close-up

  • Rolled towels on the bed and coordinated gray bedding.
  • Hanging plants and brass floor lamps that add warmth to a modern space.
  • Board games and books in the lounge for guests who stay in.
  • A business center with a printer, ready for work trips.

If you host in an Uptown apartment building, see how I approach Airbnb photography in Charlotte or check the packages and pricing.