Hosts ask me the same first question agents do: "How much is it?" So here is the straight answer, with my full 2026 price list for Airbnb and short-term rental photography in Boston and across New England.
You will also find what changes the price, which add-ons are worth it, and what to ask any photographer before you book, whether you hire me or someone else.
The Short Answer
Across Greater Boston, short-term rental shoots commonly start around $150 to $300 for a studio or small apartment. Larger homes, drone, twilight and video push that higher.
My Boston packages start at $250 for a studio or compact one-bedroom and go up to $500 for 4+ bedroom homes. Destination packages for cabins and vacation homes in New Hampshire, Vermont, Maine, the Cape and western Massachusetts start at $550. Galleries are delivered in 2 to 4 business days.
Boston Packages (Greater Boston, No Travel Fee)
For rentals within about 25 miles of Boston. All daytime, interior and exterior photos, professionally edited.
- Starter: $250. About 1 hour on site, 15-20 edited photos. Studios and compact one-bedrooms only.
- Essential: $375. About 1.5 hours, 30-40 edited photos. Best for 2-3 bedroom rentals.
- Premium: $500. About 2 hours, 50-60 edited photos including detail shots. For 4+ bedrooms or standout listings.
Destination Packages (Cabins and Vacation Homes)
For properties in New Hampshire, Vermont, Maine, Cape Cod and the Islands, and western Massachusetts. These shoots are longer because the setting is half the story.
- Getaway: $550. About 2 hours, up to 40 edited daytime photos, interior and exterior.
- Aerial: $700. About 3 hours, up to 50 edited photos including drone photos of the property and surroundings.
- Golden Hour: $925. About 4 hours from afternoon into dusk, up to 70 edited photos with drone and twilight shots.
Add-Ons
- Drone photography: $150. Aerial views of the property and surroundings (Boston packages and Getaway; already included in Aerial and Golden Hour).
- Twilight photography: $250. 2-3 photos at sunset and dusk with the lights on (Boston packages).
- Lifestyle photography: $250. Styled, lived-in moments, with or without people. You provide props and models.
- Neighborhood photos: $175. Nearby cafes, parks and landmarks, or lake access, mountain views and attractions for destination rentals.
- Short video clip: $350. 30-60 seconds of smooth motion shots for your listing and social media.
- Highlight video: $525. 60-90 seconds, edited with music and pacing.
- Neighborhood footage in the video: $150.
- Extra edited photos: $20 each beyond your package count.
Travel
- Greater Boston (about 25 miles): no travel fee, all three Boston packages available.
- North Shore, South Shore and Worcester (25-60 miles): Boston packages from Essential up, plus mileage.
- 60+ miles: Destination packages, plus mileage.
Mileage is the IRS rate of $0.76 per mile for the full round trip from Revere. For example, a rental 56 miles away adds about $85.
Which Package Is Right for You?
- New listing in the city: Essential covers most 2-3 bedroom condos and apartments.
- A home that competes on space and design: Premium, plus twilight if the exterior or roof deck is a selling point.
- A cabin, lake house or mountain rental: Aerial or Golden Hour. Guests book these places for the setting, and drone and dusk photos show it.
- Refreshing photos on an older listing: start with the package for your size and add a short video clip for Instagram and TikTok.
Questions to Ask Any Photographer Before You Book
- How many edited photos do I get? Airbnb listings perform best with a full set that walks guests through every room, plus a few details.
- Do you shoot short-term rentals specifically? Airbnb photos sell an experience: the coffee corner, the view from the bed, the fire pit at night. That is different from listing photos for a sale.
- Is drone included, and are you FAA-certified? Aerial shots are often the cover photo for cabins and beach houses.
- How fast is delivery? Mine is 2 to 4 business days.
- Is there a travel fee? Ask where it starts and how it is calculated.
- Can I use the photos on Airbnb, VRBO, my own site and social media? Make sure your license covers every place you list the property.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does Airbnb photography cost in Boston?
Short-term rental shoots in Greater Boston commonly start around $150 to $300 for a small unit. My Boston packages are $250 (Starter), $375 (Essential) and $500 (Premium), with no travel fee within about 25 miles.
How much does it cost to photograph a cabin or vacation home outside Boston?
Destination packages are $550 (Getaway), $700 (Aerial, with drone) and $925 (Golden Hour, with drone and twilight), plus mileage at $0.76 per mile round trip.
How long does an Airbnb photoshoot take?
From about 1 hour for a studio to 4 hours for a Golden Hour destination shoot. Edited galleries are delivered in 2 to 4 business days.
Do I need to prepare the rental before the shoot?
Yes. A clean, guest-ready space photographs best. Use my free Airbnb host checklist to get every room ready.
Do you photograph multi-unit properties?
Yes. Multi-unit buildings and property managers get a custom quote. Send me the details and I will reply within 24 hours.
Get a Quote
Use the estimator on the Airbnb photography page to see your price in under a minute, or browse recent rentals like Ash + Timber in Maine and Birch House in the White Mountains. Curious why it pays off? Read why professional photos sell Airbnb listings faster.
