Taking great photos of your storage space
Learn how to take professional-quality photos that showcase your storage space and attract more bookings.
Photos Drive Bookings
Great photos are the #1 factor in attracting storage renters. Listings with high-quality photos get 3x more bookings than those with poor images.
Essential photography tips
Lighting is Everything
- • Natural light is best: Take photos during the day with windows open
- • Avoid harsh shadows: Don't shoot directly into bright light sources
- • Use multiple light sources: Turn on room lights to fill shadows
- • Golden hour advantage: Late morning or early afternoon provides soft, even lighting
Composition Basics
- • Hold phone steady: Use both hands and brace against something stable
- • Shoot from corners: Show as much of the space as possible
- • Keep camera level: Avoid tilted or angled shots
- • Fill the frame: Get close enough to show details clearly
Quick Photography Checklist
- ✓ Clean your camera lens - Smudges ruin photo quality
- ✓ Clean the space first - Remove clutter and organize items
- ✓ Take multiple shots - Capture the same angle several times
- ✓ Review before uploading - Make sure photos are clear and bright
What photos you need to take
Take these essential photos to give renters a complete view of your space:
Required Photos (Minimum)
1
Wide overview shot
Show the entire empty space from the entrance
2
Corner to corner view
Shoot from opposite corners to show depth and dimensions
3
Access and entrance
Show how renters will enter and access the space
4
Security features
Show locks, security systems, or safety features
5
Key features
Highlight climate control, electrical outlets, shelving, etc.
6
Parking/loading area
Show where renters can park when moving items
Optional But Recommended Photos
- • Size reference: Include a person or familiar object for scale
- • Ceiling view: Show height clearance if relevant
- • Floor close-up: Display floor condition and material
- • Wall details: Show any built-in storage or hooks
- • Surrounding area: Nearby amenities or landmarks
- • Weather protection: Show roof, drainage, or covers
- • Access path: Route from parking to storage space
- • Different times: Day and evening shots for outdoor spaces
Photo quality standards
Follow these guidelines to ensure your photos meet our quality standards:
✓ High-Quality Photos
- • Well-lit and bright: You can see all details clearly
- • Sharp and in focus: No blurry or out-of-focus areas
- • Proper orientation: Straight, level photos (not tilted)
- • Full resolution: Use your phone's highest quality setting
- • Clean space: Area is tidy and organized
- • No personal items: Remove belongings that aren't part of the space
✗ Avoid These Issues
- • Too dark or dim: Poor lighting makes spaces look unappealing
- • Blurry or shaky: Unclear photos suggest low quality
- • Extreme angles: Distorted or misleading perspectives
- • Cluttered space: Personal items or mess in photos
- • Over-filtered: Heavy editing that misrepresents the space
- • Misleading shots: Photos that don't accurately show the space
Equipment and camera settings
You don't need expensive equipment - your smartphone can take excellent photos with the right settings:
Smartphone Camera Tips
Camera Settings
- • Use highest resolution: Enable high-quality mode
- • Turn on HDR: Helps with lighting in mixed conditions
- • Enable grid lines: Helps keep photos straight and level
- • Turn off flash: Natural light looks much better
- • Use portrait mode sparingly: Only for detail shots, not wide views
Shooting Technique
- • Clean the lens: Wipe with a soft cloth before shooting
- • Hold steady: Use both hands and brace yourself
- • Tap to focus: Ensure the most important area is sharp
- • Take multiple shots: Get several options to choose from
- • Check immediately: Review photos while you can retake them
Optional Equipment
While not required, these can help improve your photos:
- • Phone tripod ($10-20): Eliminates camera shake for sharper images
- • LED light panel ($15-30): Additional lighting for dark spaces
- • Wide-angle lens attachment ($20-40): Captures more of small spaces
Step-by-step photo session guide
Follow this systematic approach to capture all the photos you need:
Photo session workflow
1
Prepare the space (30 minutes)
- • Clean and organize the entire area
- • Remove personal belongings and clutter
- • Open windows and turn on all lights
- • Sweep floors and wipe down visible surfaces
2
Take wide overview shots (10 minutes)
- • Start from the entrance, showing the full space
- • Move to each corner for different perspectives
- • Capture the space from multiple angles
- • Ensure good lighting in each shot
3
Capture detail shots (15 minutes)
- • Photograph security features (locks, cameras, etc.)
- • Show special features (electrical outlets, shelving, climate control)
- • Document floor and wall conditions
- • Include size reference objects where helpful
4
Access and parking photos (10 minutes)
- • Show the path from parking to storage space
- • Photograph loading areas and accessibility
- • Capture nearby landmarks or address markers
- • Include any relevant exterior features
5
Review and select (15 minutes)
- • Review all photos on a larger screen if possible
- • Select the clearest, brightest, most attractive shots
- • Ensure you have all required photo types
- • Delete obviously poor photos to save storage space
Common photography mistakes to avoid
Learn from these common errors that can hurt your booking potential:
Lighting Mistakes
❌ What NOT to do:
- • Taking photos in dim or poor lighting
- • Using flash that creates harsh shadows
- • Shooting against bright windows (backlighting)
- • Ignoring dark corners or hidden areas
✅ What TO do instead:
- • Shoot during daytime with natural light
- • Turn on room lights to supplement daylight
- • Position yourself so light comes from behind you
- • Use additional lighting for dark spaces
Composition Mistakes
❌ What NOT to do:
- • Taking photos from only one angle
- • Shooting too close and missing the big picture
- • Tilted or crooked photos
- • Including irrelevant or distracting elements
✅ What TO do instead:
- • Capture multiple angles and perspectives
- • Show the full space context in wide shots
- • Keep camera level and photos straight
- • Focus on the storage space itself
Uploading and managing your photos
Once you've taken great photos, here's how to upload and organize them effectively:
Upload process
Open your space listing and go to "Edit Photos"
Upload your best overview photo first (this becomes your main image)
Add remaining photos in order of importance
Use drag-and-drop to reorder photos if needed
Save changes and check how they appear in your listing
Photo Organization Tips
- • Lead with your best: Put the most attractive overview photo first
- • Tell a story: Order photos to guide viewers through the space
- • Highlight key features: Place feature photos early in the sequence
- • End with access: Show parking and entry details last
- • Regular updates: Replace photos if the space changes significantly
Need help with your photos?
If you're having trouble taking great photos or need feedback on your images, our support team can provide guidance and tips.
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