When it comes to attracting potential bookers for your community venue, high-quality photos play a crucial role. Good quality images that showcase your space in the best light can make the difference between a booker choosing your venue or not. 

Don’t underestimate the impact of a great photo on the bookers decision-making process!

In this blog post, we will share ten valuable tips on how to take good photos, considering factors such as lighting, angles, and more. By following these tips, you can ensure that you will get the best  photos for your space. By doing this, you will not only be showcasing your venue in the best possible light but you will also entice potential bookers to choose your space for their next event.

Our Top Ten Tips to Showcase your Venue for Hire:

1. Clean and Declutter:

This one seems obvious but it is really important which is why it's our number one tip. When a potential booker sees your space online, they will be visualising their party, celebration, workshop. By decluttering you will make your space look much more appealing and attractive to your bookers. 

Our top tip: Before starting your photo session, ensure that your space is clean and clutter-free. Remove any unnecessary items or distractions that may take away from the overall appeal of the venue. A clean and organised space will not only make your photos more visually appealing but also give potential bookers a clear idea of the available space for their event.

2. Optimise Lighting:

Lighting is one of the most important aspects of photography. Natural light is usually the best option for capturing the true essence of your space.

Our top tip: Schedule your photo session during the day when there is ample natural light available. We would also recommend that you open curtains, blinds, and windows to allow as much light as possible into the room. This will really make a big difference in how your photos will appear online. If necessary, consider using additional lighting equipment to enhance the brightness and eliminate any shadows.

3. Consider Different Angles:

Experiment with different angles to showcase various perspectives of your space. Capture wide-angle shots to give potential bookers a comprehensive view of the room's layout and dimensions. We suggest taking close-up shots of unique features or architectural details that make your venue stand out. By capturing the space from multiple angles, you provide a more complete visual representation.

Every angle or detail you capture can help your booker choose your venue over others. You never know, your venue may have that special feature that may just be on your next bookers venue wish list.

4. Stage the Space:

Organise your furniture and decorations to showcase the flexibility and possibilities of your space. Set up different seating arrangements or event setups to demonstrate the adaptability of the venue. Ensure that the staging reflects the type of events commonly held in your space, whether it's a wedding ceremony, kids birthday party, conference, or community gathering.

5. Use a Tripod:

To avoid blurry photos, especially in low-light conditions, we recommend you use a tripod to stabilise your camera. A tripod allows for longer exposure times without the risk of camera shake. It also helps you to take steady shots when capturing details or in situations where you need to adjust settings manually.

6. Showcase Amenities and Features:

Highlight any unique amenities or features your venue offers. If you have state-of-the-art audiovisual equipment, a stunning view, kitchen facilities or an outdoor space, be sure to include these in your photos. Potential bookers will definitely be drawn to venues with these features as they can enhance the overall experience of their event. 

7. Capture the Atmosphere:

In addition to showcasing the physical space, try to capture the atmosphere and ambiance of your venue. If you have access to props then use these to showcase your space.

Use decorations like lights, flowers, or table settings to set the right mood for different events. A well-captured atmosphere can help potential renters envision their event in your space.

If you don't have props then you could always ask your bookers if they would mind you taking photos of their event set up. Before guests arrive at your event, it might be worth asking the booker if you can take a photo of the set up. Always remember to get permission to use the photo online.

8. Edit and Enhance:

After capturing your photos, take the time to edit and enhance them to bring out the best in your space. Adjust the brightness, contrast, and saturation levels to ensure the colours are vibrant and true to life.

Be careful not to overdo the editing, as you want to maintain a realistic representation of your venue. The last thing you want is to have dissatisfied bookers, who were expecting your venue to look like the images online.

9. Update Regularly:

Make it a habit to update your venue's photos regularly. As your space evolves or new features are added, ensure that your photos accurately represent the current state of your venue. Outdated photos may create confusion or disappointment for potential bookers, so staying up-to-date is essential.

10. Include People:

This one is not essential but it can help to add a sense of scale and liveliness to your photos. So you might want to consider including people in some of your shots. This can help potential bookers visualise the space in use and imagine their own event taking place. Ask friends or staff members to participate in staged shots to showcase the versatility and functionality of your venue.

By following these ten tips on how to take good photos, focusing on factors such as lighting, angles, staging and editing, you can capture the essence of your space and attract potential bookers to your venue.

Want more top tips? Then check out our blog post: Top Tips on How To Increase Your Bookings For Your Venue here.

Looking to list your venue on Sharesy? Read more about how we can help you generate income from your lettings here.