seattle vrbo photographer

Airy Bellingham Airbnb | Vacation Rental Photography

Nestled in the picturesque city of Bellingham, where nature's beauty takes you away from the bustle of Seattle, lies a hidden gem—a short-term rental home exuding bright and airy vibes and adorned with whimsical decor. With lush greenery as its backdrop (it’s surrounded by nature preserve), this charming home invites guests to check out of the grind and into the imaginative state of being that an inspiring and restorative getaway is so good for. This was such a fun home to photograph and brings me to a few key points of a successful short term rental listing photos shoot:

  • Embracing Natural Light:

Photographing a bright and airy home starts with harnessing the power of natural light. In Bellingham, sunlight filters through the dense foliage, lending a soft, ethereal glow to the surroundings. Maximize this vibe by opening curtains and blinds to allow ample light to flood the space. Notice the way that light naturally interacts with the space. Turn off the overhead lights and allow for nature’s light source to take the lead.

  • Composing the Perfect Shot:

To showcase the whimsical decor and the seamless integration with the surrounding greenery, pay attention to composition. Frame the shot to capture the home's unique elements both in tight composition and in a pulled back shot that gives an idea of the full space. Preserve window views by bracketing exposures, especially when they help tell the story of the space.

  • Colors and Textures:

The color palette and textures play a crucial role in the ambiance of this vacation home. Pay attention to the details that the designer painstakingly selected. This house has an amazing juxtaposition of glam and nature, and it’s done really well. I loved the combination of the mirror backsplash with the black marble countertops. In the dining area, an antler chandelier perfectly plays off of floral dining chairs next to yet another pattern in the subtle wallpaper. Incorporating a few of these relationships into a shot brings together the design vision.

  • Accessorizing the Scene:

In order to fully immerse the viewer in the home, a few key accessories help to bring the vision together. Adding in a few small lifestyle elements really makes the difference between photos that feel real estate vs. luxury travel and hospitality. A glass next to a book signifies a relaxing place to read. A blanket over an adirondack near the firepit suggests a cozy bonfire.

  • Outdoor Oasis:

The beauty of this rental home lies not only indoors but also in the enchanting outdoor spaces. Bellingham's greenery provides an idyllic backdrop, so venture outside to capture the magic of the surrounding nature. Photograph a hammock nestled among the trees, the large lawn perfect for active kids and great privacy from neighbors. Incorporating these outdoor shots into your collection will complete the story of this serene retreat.

This is really just the tip of the iceberg of what goes through my head during a shoot, but it gives a solid starting point to plan a successful shoot! Get in touch if you’d like to bring your property to life through engaging, vivid, bright photography.

This house is offered by Gather Vacations.

Contractor: Bellingham Bay Builders

Design: Andrea Zakharoff

You can book this beauty on Airbnb here.

Cle Elum Vacation Rental | Seattle Hospitality Photographer

When it comes to vacation rentals that have everything you need to travel comfortably as a family, Digs Co. has it down pat. We’ve been traveling with them since before our first was born and now as a family of four. In each of the many properties that they host, you can find a welcome basket full to the brim, high-quality finishes and decor, ultra-comfy beds, and luxury perks like hot tubs and game rooms. Having traveled to many Airbnbs and Vrbos over the years, you can always tell when a host goes above and beyond to create an experience, not just a side income.

We stayed in their Sun Country Digs house in November and had a great time. And honestly, that’s saying a lot when you’re traveling with young kids. The kids ran up and down the stairs from the open-plan kitchen/living room (decorated with the most beautiful pops of emerald green) to the upstairs kid-paradise hangout space, featuring oversized bean bag chairs they enjoyed diving into over and over. My husband and I enjoyed being able to see and hear them run a little wild while we relaxed. We spent long nights reading and enjoying the hot tub and going out to eat in the local Roslyn restaurants (Base Camp Books and The Brick are our faves).

Digs Co. properties are always in great locations. In this spot, we enjoyed being nestled into towering pines with only a few quiet cabins nearby. Remote with quick access to amenities, which is key for a traveling family.

I’ve partnered with Chelsea and Luke, the Digs Co. owners, for years, and have had the joy of photographing over ten of their properties. Each one has unique and beautiful interior design, and is so thoughtfully prepared. They set a standard for excellence in the business of short term rentals and make guest experience an art. Creating travel lifestyle content with them is such a joy, and staying with them is always a refreshing highlight that my whole family adores.

You can book Sun Country Digs and check out all of their amazing properties here!

The Coziest Mt. Rainier A-Frame 90 Minutes from Seattle | Seattle Airbnb Photographer

A few days before my 33rd birthday, my friend Katherine and I took to the mountains for a quick girlfriend’s getway weekend to a super cozy cabin near Mt. Rainier. When the owners reached out for new listing photos I jumped at the chance to get out into the fresh air and get in some quality time with my friend (which can be so hard when you have a young family at home!). Along with photos, I like to offer lifestyle photos of short term rental properties. It really helps to bring the space to life and the creative opportunities are endless. It ends up being a ton of work (thinking of making each moment a beautiful photo) but it’s a lot of fun, and it’s rare that I can stay in that level of artistic flow for such an amount of time. Luckily, my friend Katherine is a producer and enjoyed helping and generously doing more than just keeping me company!

I loved having a few different outdoor “zones” to hang out and work in. The grill/picnic area is on one side of the house, and the fire pit and chairs are on another. Behind the chairs is just… wilderness! We even had a little family of curious raccoons peep their heads out of the bushes, but quickly lost interest when they found no chance of being fed s’mores from our stash.

Katherine and I also relaxed and caught up a ton during this trip which I really treasure. After I put my camera gear away we sat in the chairs and talked for HOURS until the mosquitoes made feast of us. You know those great late night looooong conversations with a good friend? GOLDEN — especially in my 30s when life is super busy with family and work. It was a great reminder that your friends see you through so much life and so many changes, and that they’re worth their weight in gold and more.

If you’d like to take a trip yourself you can find the Airbnb listing here!

Modern Luxury Airbnbs in Leavenworth | Seattle Photographer

When I think of Leavenworth, I think of quaint shops, delicious sausages and beer, and epic mountain views.  Admittedly, I’m not usually throwing around words like “modern design” and “elevated interiors” when I’m thinking about my favorite little mountain town just two hours from Seattle.  However, all of this is changing right this moment with the arrival of Hara Homes.  Owner and developer Camila Borges has landed a serious slice of luxury into this town.  Like literally, right in town.  

While the exterior has kept with the traditional roots of the Bavarian style surroundings, these six homes are anything but traditional inside.  Each home is a unique masterpiece of interior design and style.  Camila has exceptional taste and has outfitted each vacation rental with the luxuries you’d want on vacation with clean and elevated design.  Natural light flows into each space and the open floor plan allows for long days of preparing meals, enjoying each other’s company and getting some much needed post-pandemic rest.  These are not your average Airbnb vacation homes.  

Each home is prepared for a full family and beyond.  There are bunk rooms for the kids and beautiful primary bedrooms on both the first and second floors.  The first floor rooms are the showstoppers of design with feature walls, boutique lighting and architectural side tables.

Photographing these spaces was a unique project!  I spent an entire day on the property creating with Camila.  Running from one house to the next felt a little like the cartoon hallway of doors, and me with my gear popping in and out and over!  It was truly amazing to see the way light changed in the spaces throughout the day and to slow down and create some beautiful vignettes mixed in with capturing the spaces themselves.  It’s not enough to just have good photos of the spaces alone – when you introduce lifestyle content into your vacation rental photography it stands out.  Guests can imagine themselves enjoying your Airbnb experience when they can see it with a little help from your photographer.  It’s no wonder that professional Airbnb photos help increase your listing and earnings by 20%.  

Enjoy the beautiful spaces and book your stay here!