How to Land Hotel/Airbnb Collaborations
The allure of capturing the vibe and feeling of a place through the lens is a shared passion among us. While traveling and documenting stunning places is rewarding on its own, imagine being able to turn this into a career, earning from your love of photography. Today, we're exploring how to land collaborations with hotels and Airbnb, allowing you to blend your passion for travel and visual storytelling into a fulfilling livelihood.
shot at the Miles Away ShackStep 1: Refine Your Portfolio
Before embarking on your quest for collaborations, ensure your portfolio is a showcase of your best work. Highlight your expertise in capturing the essence of spaces, whether it's through vibrant interior shots, breathtaking exteriors, or captivating lifestyle photography that brings destinations to life. You can start this by capturing content at hotels or homes you’re already travelling to or by reaching out to a few local ones to see if they’d be open to letting you stay in exchange for some photos of their property. But be careful not to get too comfortable with doing stays for free, your time is valuable even when you’re just starting out. A good rule of thumb is that if the price of the room/home is less than what you would charge for the content/exposure you’re giving them through this collaboration, you should be charging. It’s only fair to be compensated for your time and the value of your work to the hotel/Airbnb. (P.S. we chat all about what to charge for collaborations, content work, usage rights and more in our Content Creation Guide 👀 )
A great platform for creating a portfolio is Canva, where you can mock up a PDF document or even a website landing page specifically dedicated to showcasing your work.
Step 2: Create a Compelling Pitch
Your pitch should be more than just a request for work; it should be a compelling story. Tailor your approach to the unique aspects of the hotel or Airbnb you're targeting. For example, if the property is known for its outdoor amenities, discuss your experience with shooting natural light/nature and how you can portray the property’s charm through your lens. Pitching an exciting idea or concept for content can get them equally as excited and willing to work with you.
Generic, impersonal pitches rarely yield success. Address the hotel or Airbnb owner/worker by name (if available), mention specific features you appreciate about their property and explain why your style aligns with their brand. Personalisation demonstrates your genuine interest and makes your pitch stand out.
shot at Naivasha CottageStep 3: Showcase Your Value
Highlight the benefits the collaboration would bring to the property. For hotels, it might be visually stunning images that attract guests. For Airbnb hosts, it might be the ability to show potential renters the experience they can expect. By showcasing your value proposition, you make it clear why partnering with you is a win-win situation. This is also where your portfolio comes in, where they can visually see the unique value you can bring to their property.
If you’re looking for a collaboration job with them where you post about your time with your community, it would be great to list previous examples and the analytics from these if available. That way, they can see your past results clearly and know what to expect in terms of an outcome.
Step 4: Be Professional and Approachable
Professionalism is key. Ensure your communications are polished, timely, and polite. However, remember to maintain a friendly, approachable tone, reflecting your unique personality. It's the balance of professionalism and warmth that often seals the deal.
To get you going, here’s an example of an outreach message when checking to see if a hotel/Airbnb wants to work with you:
Hi [NAME],
I hope you’re having a beautiful day! My name is [NAME] and I specialise in [NICHE/AREA OF INTEREST]. I really adore [PROPERTY DETAILS] and would love to work together should you need any fresh content for your marketing or a push of exposure on social media. I’ve attached my portfolio so you can get an idea of the type of content I produce.
I look forward to hearing back from you,
[NAME]
shot at UnyokedStep 5: Provide Clear Deliverables and Expectations
In your initial outreach, you can simply introduce yourself and mention that you would like to work with them. Once they respond and (hopefully) say they’d love to know more details, this is when you can list your services. Detail the scope of work you're offering, including the number of images, usage rights, and any additional services like photo editing or social media promotion as well as what you charge for each deliverable. Setting clear expectations ensures there are no misunderstandings later.
Step 6: Follow-Up and Stay Engaged
Persistence pays off. If you don't hear back, don't hesitate to send a polite follow-up email or message. Be sure to check in periodically without being overbearing. Sometimes, a gentle nudge is all it takes to reignite interest. Everyone’s inboxes are full, so don’t take it personally if it takes a little time to get a response!
Step 7: Showcase Success Stories
If you've collaborated with other properties, showcase these experiences on your website or social media platforms. Testimonials and examples of past work can serve as powerful endorsements, boosting your credibility and attracting more collaborations so that they come to you and you don’t have to spend time pitching.
The world of photography is as much about relationships as it is about images. By refining your portfolio, personalising your outreach, and showcasing your value proposition, you set the stage for meaningful collaborations with hotels and Airbnb properties. Remember, it's not just about the visuals; it's about capturing the essence of a place and weaving it into a compelling narrative through your lens. Here's to capturing breathtaking moments and forging lasting partnerships, we know you’ve got this! 📸
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