LIFESTYLE PHOTOS: HOW TO MAKE YOUR PROPERTY IRRESISTIBLE
In property marketing—whether selling, renting, or offering a short-stay—photos do more than just show a space. Lifestyle photography tells a story. It helps buyers, tenants, and guests imagine living, working, or relaxing in the property while also highlighting the lifestyle the location offers. Thoughtful details—both inside and outside the home—can dramatically boost engagement, interest, and ultimately, sales or bookings.
Why Lifestyle Photos Make a Difference
Not all listings use lifestyle photography—and that’s why it can give you an edge. Lifestyle photos go beyond showing furniture and rooms; they tell a story about how the property can be enjoyed, both inside and out. Buyers, tenants, and guests are drawn to listings that feel liveable, warm, and connected to the surrounding community.
For selling, rentals, or short-stay properties, lifestyle photography can:
- Help buyers envision themselves living in the home
- Make rental properties feel practical, inviting, and unique
- Showcase short-stay properties as experiences, not just spaces
Using lifestyle photos gives your property a competitive advantage, attracts more inquiries, and drives faster sales or bookings.
Why Lifestyle Photos Matter for Different Audiences
- Selling: Buyers aren’t just buying a house—they’re buying a home. Empty or cluttered rooms fail to inspire, but lifestyle photos highlight comfort, potential, and what life could be like in the space.
- Rentals: Tenants look for practical and inviting spaces. Showing how furniture, décor, and amenities work together makes your listing feel like home and stand out from the competition.
- Short-Stay Properties: Guests book experiences, not just rooms. Images that showcase comfort, convenience, and local lifestyle help your property shine among competitors.
What to Include in Lifestyle Photos
1. Transform Interiors Into Cozy, Inviting Spaces
Small interior details make a big difference:
- Add soft throws, cushions, or rugs to create warmth
- Include a neatly arranged book, magazine, or newspaper
- Place fresh flowers or a plant to bring life and color to rooms

2. Capture Everyday Moments with Food and Beverage Scenes
Scenes that show daily life help people connect emotionally:
- A breakfast tray or coffee cup in morning sunlight
- Wine and glasses on the table for evening ambiance
- Thoughtful snacks or treats in short-stay setups


3. Show How Spaces Work for Living and Lifestyle
Highlight the functionality of rooms and areas:
- Desk setups for home offices or study areas
- Lounge spaces, reading nooks, or entertainment zones
- Outdoor seating, BBQs, or balconies for relaxation


4. Showcase Amenities and the Local Lifestyle
Lifestyle photos go beyond the property. Show the surrounding area to help buyers and guests imagine the life they could have:
- Nearby parks, beaches, walking tracks, and outdoor attractions
- Cafes, restaurants, shops, and entertainment spots
- Community facilities like gyms, pools, or tennis courts


5. Use Lighting to Set the Mood
The right lighting can make a property irresistible:
- Maximize natural light wherever possible
- Shoot during soft morning or golden-hour light for warmth
- Use post-production editing to brighten darker rooms and enhance ambiance

Professional Editing Elevates Your Photos
Even the best setups benefit from professional editing. Services like Image Enhancement, Turn On Lights, and Virtual Staging can:
- Correct exposure and color for a polished, professional look
- Brighten rooms even when the lights are off
- Showcase furniture, layouts, and amenities at their best
Once your spaces and surroundings are captured beautifully, editing ensures your photos tell the full lifestyle story.
Tailor Photos to Your Audience
- Selling: Focus on aspirational living—stylish, warm, and inviting
- Renting: Emphasize comfort, practicality, and functionality
- Short-Stay: Highlight experiences, lifestyle, and nearby attractions
The Result
Lifestyle photos do more than document a property—they sell a story. Buyers, tenants, and guests can picture themselves there, feel the atmosphere, and imagine the life they could have. This emotional connection drives faster sales, longer leases, and more bookings.
Want your property photos to truly stand out? Our professional editing and Virtual Staging services bring every listing to life—inside, outside, and beyond. Simply send us your photos, and we’ll take care of the rest.
Sign up today to BoxBrownie.com and see why top property professionals trust us to make every property shine.
RELATED ARTICLES
As we begin 2024, the question on every real estate professional’s mind is: what’s in store for this year? The National Association of Realtors has released its predictions and we’ve broken down the key highlights for you in this blog.
READ MOREAs you make your New Year’s resolutions, hit refresh on your property photography skills by resolving to not let common errors hold back the potential of your property listings. Explore our blog to discover frequently occurring photo blunders and learn how to fix them for stunning results.
READ MOREHave you used virtual staging before? This powerful marketing tool can increase a property’s sellability and make your listing stand out to house-hunters. Find out why you should be using virtual staging to market your listings.
READ MOREHere are the home paint trends to know in 2023. Find out the key colors, according to experts, and pick out the perfect coat of paint to help showcase a property to its highest potential. Know a property that needs a change? You need this blog.
READ MOREInes Hegedus-Garcia is an early adopter, mentor, and teacher of virtual property marketing. She's also a star of the Miami real estate scene. Here, she talks about ways that she draws from our property marketing toolkit to make her listings shine.
READ MOREYes, cold calling still works. But if you don’t want to do it, you no longer have to. Here are some great ways to hang up the phone on cold calling forever.
READ MORE