What Guests See Might Be More Important Than What You Say
AI can help you tell your story—but only real photos build trust
You know that moment when you’re scrolling and a photo stops you cold?
The soft lighting. The inviting texture. The way it makes you imagine being there.
Your guests are no different.
Photos are one of the biggest decision-makers when it comes to bookings—and lately, there’s been a lot of talk about how AI is changing the game.
But before we dive in:
👉 AI is not a replacement for great photography.
Using AI to generate fake room photos or misleading visuals? That’s a fast way to lose trust—or worse, run into platform violations.
If you don’t have strong images yet, hiring a good photographer is still one of the best investments you can make. AI can enhance your visuals. It can help you save time and personalize. But it can’t fake the feeling of your place—and it shouldn’t try.
Now, with that clear... here’s how AI can help:
📐 Start with the Basics: Resize and Compress
Oversized = slow. Blurry = no thanks.
Compressing your photos (without losing quality) keeps your site or listing fast and frustration-free.
Try: TinyPNG to shrink file sizes, or Canva to tweak dimensions.
📱 Mobile-Ready Images = Mobile Bookings
Your guests are on their phones.
Make sure your photos are responsive—meaning they adjust beautifully to screen size without making people pinch, zoom, or wait.
Most platforms support this already. It’s worth double-checking your most popular pages or listings.
⚡ AI Can Make Small Visual Tweaks Smarter
This is where AI shines. It can:
Crop images automatically so the best part shows
Adjust colors and lighting based on device or time of day
Even swap in seasonal elements like snow or string lights
It’s like a behind-the-scenes assistant keeping things relevant and polished, without you having to lift a finger.
🧠 Need a Mockup? Generative AI Can Help—With Caution
AI can now create images from text or modify what you already have.
Want to visualize that new deck before it’s built? Or show what a sunset dinner setup might look like?
You can use tools like Canva’s AI or DALL·E (inside ChatGPT) to create supporting visuals for promotions or ideas—not to replace real images of your actual space.
📍 Important: Don’t generate fake room photos or AI-manipulated listings. It’s misleading and can backfire fast. Use it for add-ons, atmosphere, or ideas—not your core photos.
Try These Guest-Friendly Image Ideas:
Highlight different amenities for different travelers (workstations, outdoor showers, pet-friendly extras)
Swap out hero images with the season—sun hats in June, cocoa mugs in January
Use AI to tease what's coming: new features, outdoor spaces, or decor updates
Final Thought
AI is a powerful tool. But like anything powerful, it has to be used responsibly.
Let it save you time. Let it support your brand. But don’t let it stand in for the real magic of your place.
📸 Your photos tell a story. Make sure it’s one your guests can believe in—and get excited about.
Have you used AI to support your visuals yet? Or thinking about it?
I’d love to hear how it’s going.
— Kay
☀️ Want more photography tips?