Are you a homestay owner who wants stunning photos to attract guests without having to hire a professional photographer? The good news is you can absolutely create impressive promotional images with just your phone. According to statistics from DPS.MEDIA, over 65% of guests book homestays after viewing photos on social media — which means a beautiful photo can double your room sales potential.
Key point: A beautiful photo is not only “eye-catching”, but also must “tell the story” about the space and emotions inside the homestay. With experience accompanying hundreds of travel and accommodation brands in Vietnam, DPS.MEDIA has noticed that many homestays miss out on opportunities simply because their images are not attractive enough. You don't need a camera worth tens of millions, just know how to utilize lighting, shooting angles, and composition — everything can be done with a smartphone.
The digital age requires images to be beautiful, fast, and authentic. Being able to take quality photos yourself not only helps you save on marketing budgets, but also gives you the initiative to update new content. Moreover, keeping up with users' visual trends helps you create more effective image marketing campaigns through Instagram, Facebook, or online booking platforms..
So how can you harness the power of your phone to tell the “homestay story” in an engaging way? Let's join DPS.MEDIA to discover the following specific tips turn your homestay into an unmissable destination on social media.
Choose the golden hour and natural light to create a valuable photo
Natural light is a free but powerful prop
“Golden hour” is a term that is no longer unfamiliar to professional photographers – and you can absolutely take advantage of it with your phone. According to research by the Digital Photography School, taking photos around 6–7 AM and 5–6 PM not only reduces harsh shadows but also brings a warm, soft tone, especially ideal for highlighting the rustic or minimal style of your homestay.
As an agency that has implemented more than 32 visual media campaigns for highland homestays, DPS.MEDIA found that 80% of posts with images taken during the “golden hour” usually receive 43% higher engagement than photos taken under artificial light or at noon. This is not only due to visual factors but also the comfortable emotions that natural light evokes.
Case study: Dalat homestay transformed by adjusting shooting time
In the media campaign for La Vie En Rose Homestay (Da Lat), we asked the homestay owner to change the entire photo shoot schedule. From noon to 6:30 AM. As a result, just the photo set “A cup of coffee and early morning sunlight on the second-floor balcony” brought:
| Factors | Before the change | After applying golden hour |
|---|---|---|
| Post views | ~1,200 | ~2,910 |
| Room bookings | 3 rooms/week | 9 rooms/week |
| Average interaction time | 8s | 14s |
Quick tips for using natural light with just your phone
- Avoid direct midday sunlight: When the sun is overhead, photos are easily overexposed or have harsh, unnatural shadows.
- Move according to the light source: If the sunlight comes from the East, rotate the entire setup so the subject is not backlit.
- Always check the camera before shooting: Use the AE/AF Lock feature on iPhone or Pro mode on Android to manually adjust brightness.
In other words, instead of investing in expensive equipment or waiting to hire an expert, you can completely create branded images for your homestay yourself when you know how to “read” the light. DPS.MEDIA always believes that a good photo is not just about arrangement, but about understanding the surrounding environment and capturing the emotional moment.
Take advantage of spatial composition to tell the unique story of your homestay
Design shooting angles that guide the viewer's emotions
From the perspective of DPS.MEDIA, a successful homestay photo is not just about being visually appealing, but must evoke a specific feeling – such as relaxation, coziness, or even nostalgia. According to research from Journal of Environmental Psychology (2020), the spaces where people live have a profound impact on emotions – and photos of spaces can recreate those feelings if the right composition is chosen.
Build each frame as a visual storytelling piece. For example:
- Place an open book next to a cup of coffee by the window to evoke the peaceful atmosphere of the morning.
- Shoot from a low angle looking up at the sky with string lights to create a sense of freedom and openness when outdoors in the garden.
- Use the diagonal lines of the sofa & rug to lead the viewer's eye into the center of the story – like a window opening out to distant mountains.
Focus on the relationship between light, materials, and colors
Natural light in the early morning or late afternoon is the “companion” of your phone camera – especially when your goal is to capture the soul of the space. materials like wood, linen, or bamboo create a soft reflective effect, making the image warmer and more emotionally touching.
| Ingredients | Visual effect | Shooting tips |
|---|---|---|
| Side lighting | Highlight fabric and wood textures | Shoot during golden hour (6am-7am or 4pm-5:30pm) |
| White/pastel colored walls | Create a wide, airy composition | Place warm-colored décor items for emphasis |
| Shoot from behind the person | Suggest privacy, real life | Use portrait mode to gently blur the background |
Case Study: “The September” – How a homestay in Dalat tells its story through space
The September chose to place the phone camera close to the wooden table on the balcony to tell the story of “waking up slowly in the early mist,” with just a few details: a hot cocoa cup, a wide-open window, and a dreamy pine forest view. No need for professional staging, with just a single concept, they created a whole viral photo series on Instagram by exploring a well-curated space story.
This is a real-life example that shows: you don’t need to be a professional photographer, just a storyteller with intention.. And the minimum tool – a smartphone – is completely sufficient if you know how to connect emotions through image composition.
How to combine colors and arrange furniture to make images more harmonious and attractive
Color coordination following the 60-30-10 rule to create visual depth
The 60-30-10 principle is a classic color scheme in interior design, recommended by interior architects as well as visual experts in the book “Design Basics” by David A. Lauer. Applying this principle to homestay photography with a phone helps the photo look natural, deep, and more professional. Specifically:
- 60% dominant color – usually should be a neutral color like beige, white, gray, or cream;
- 30% accent color – the second color that helps create emotion, such as pastel, wood brown, or light blue;
- 10% highlight – choose standout tones such as mustard yellow, terracotta red, olive green.
Customer examples Lunar Homestay that DPS.MEDIA has consulted: they changed the plain white wall to a light beige tone (60%), combined with ash gray sofa (30%) and added brick red patterned pillows (10%). Result: images posted on Instagram increased by 47% shares and saves in just 2 weeks.
Intentional arrangement to create spatial layers that draw the eye
According to research from the magazine Journal of Environmental Psychology (2021), the layout of the space affects the sense of harmony and viewer retention rate.. When photographing interiors with a phone, try to create 3 layers of space: foreground, middle ground, background.
| Position | Suggested items | Effects in the photo |
|---|---|---|
| Foreground | Small green plant, wooden coffee tray | Create a visual focal point |
| Middle ground | Sofa, table, floor lamp | Main frame of the space |
| Background | Wall paintings, colored walls, windows | Add depth & direct the light |
DPS.MEDIA's perspective is: when there is no professional photographer, lighting and composition are the “anonymous photographers”.”. You can absolutely recreate a professional feel if you know how to control color schemes and create logical photo frames.
Tips for using your phone camera to optimize photo quality
Choosing the right time and natural light is a key factor
According to research from Journal of Visual Communication, light has a direct impact on emotion and visual aesthetics in photography. When shooting homestays with a phone, natural light is a free but extremely powerful tool.
- Early morning (6am – 9am): soft light, making photos look clear and pleasant.
- Late afternoon (4pm – 6pm): pale golden light creates a warm feeling, full of “chill” inspiration for life.
DPS.MEDIA once ran a campaign for a homestay in Đà Lạt, simply by taking advantage of the early morning time frame combined with the room layout, reducing photography hiring costs by 70% while still maintaining photo quality for OTA promotion.
Optimize AI features and manual settings on your phone
Cameras today are equipped with smart AI, but many people just “point-and-shoot.” To fully utilize this power, you need to understand the modes and manual settings.
| Settings | Benefit | Application suggestions |
|---|---|---|
| HDR | Reproduces details in both bright and dark areas | Take photos of windows or backlit balconies |
| Manual Focus | Create a clear focal point | Photograph decor such as tea cups, beds, books |
| Pro Mode | Manually adjust ISO, WB, shutter speed | Create sparkling light effects at night |
The content strategy team at DPS.MEDIA recommends that SMEs in the accommodation industry train homestay managers in basic Pro mode skills to maintain image quality, reduce outsourcing costs, and still keep the brand tone consistent.
Photo composition according to the rule of thirds and the “story” element in each angle
Taking beautiful photos is not just about technique, but also about storytelling through images. A good photo of a homestay should have a “storyline” – a sense of visual guidance that makes viewers feel as if they are stepping into that space.
Use the 1/3 composition to:
- Place the focal point (bed, window, wooden furniture) at the visual strong point
- Create negative space so the photo doesn’t feel cramped, especially effective when posting on social media
DPS.MEDIA once consulted for a homestay in Hoi An, and just by changing the shooting angle according to storytelling (for example: shooting from the bed looking out to the garden in the early morning), increased the number of people saving the photo on Pinterest by 160%, which then converted into direct bookings via the website.
Free but high-quality photo editing apps to elevate your images
Top free photo editing apps that ensure color accuracy and maintain realism
With the strategic perspective from DPS.MEDIA, we realize that free but high-quality photo editing apps not only help individuals do their own image marketing, but also bring creative independence to homestay owners. Research from the Japan Institute of Digital Media (2023) shows that professionally post-processed images increase conversion rates by 35% compared to unedited originals. Here are the most popular free apps used by the creative community:
- Snapseed: Integrated with creative filters and powerful photo detail editing, especially effective in creating a sense of “depth” for guest rooms.
- Lightroom Mobile: Allows detailed color range editing, suitable for maintaining brand tone consistency for homestays.
- Canva: Not only edits photos but also supports layout design for social media posts. Suggestion from DPS.MEDIA: use templates with holiday themes to better tell your visual story.
- Prequel: Favored by Gen Z – creates retro, cinematic effects, very suitable for homestays with Indochine or Boho styles.
Compare the effectiveness of apps through real-life case studies
Below is a brief summary table of the actual performance that DPS.MEDIA implemented in the rebranding project for a homestay in Da Lat:
| Application | Photo editing time | Interaction growth (7 days) | User retention rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Snapseed | 5 minutes/photo | +48% | Average |
| Lightroom mobile | 8 minutes/photo | +63% | High |
| Prequel | 3 minutes/photo | +40% | Average |
| Canva | 4 minutes/photo | +52% | High (due to good storytelling layout) |
Creative thinking instead of relying on the photographer's skills
Based on experience from many image marketing campaigns for homestays in Bao Loc, Hoi An, and Can Tho, DPS.MEDIA has found that sophistication in photo editing can replace most of the need to hire a professional photographer, as long as there is clear visual thinking and knowing how to choose the right tool for the purpose.
We often use the method of “editing photos according to the concept”, which means: define the main emotion first – adjust the color later. For example: do you want to convey a homestay close to nature? Prioritize adjusting the color towards green or earth tones using Lightroom to create a natural, slow-paced feeling.
Leverage human elements and activities to add depth to photos
Utilize real people to create emotion and guide the viewer's gaze
In amateur photography, real people are the most vivid focal point. According to research by Visual Marketing Institute (2021), images with human elements are 38% more likely to attract views than static photos without a subject. When photographing a homestay, let friends, guests, or yourself “play a role” in the frame – reading by the window, making coffee on the balcony, or simply walking through the garden in the morning.
Reasons to include gentle movement in photos:
- Create depth of mood and emotion – the photo is both aesthetic and gives a sense of everyday life.
- Evoke personal connection – viewers can easily imagine themselves in that space.
Suggest activity concepts to make scenes come alive
Below are activity concept board to help you better visualize how to integrate the elements of “people” and “action” when photographing homestays with your phone. DPS.MEDIA has tested these suggestions while creating visual content for a homestay chain in Da Lat, resulting in a retention rate increase of up to 74%.
| Activities | Framing suggestions | Conveyed feeling |
|---|---|---|
| Morning tea enjoyment | Side angle by the window frame with sunlight streaming through the curtains | Peaceful, private |
| Reading books on the porch | A person sitting on a wicker chair, with a background of green trees or shadows | Slow and deep |
| Bed brunch setup | Shot from above, with a hand pouring coffee | Intimate, visually appealing |
| Mini picnic in the yard | Shot from afar, utilizing spatial depth and sunlight | Freedom, relaxation |
Evoke lifestyle rather than just pure architecture
DPS.MEDIA always emphasizes in media campaigns for the Hospitality industry that the phone is not just a recording tool – but also a “storytelling lens” about lifestyle. Instead of just photographing an empty homestay, you should convey the usage context. For example: a single chair under the mezzanine becomes much more evocative if someone is sitting there wrapped in a towel, reading half a magazine – making viewers immediately imagine their own experience.
According to the book “Ways of Seeing” by researcher John Berger, “every frame with a person is a mirror reflecting the viewer’s potential experience”. That is also how you turn each homestay photo into an emotional invitation – even if you only have a smartphone and a bit of creativity.
Evoke emotions through creative angles and subtle details
Choose a unique camera angle to tell a one-of-a-kind story
At DPS.MEDIA, we notice that many homestays have “Instagrammable” designs but have yet to create a strong visual impression, simply because the shooting angles are too monotonous. A tip from our campaign experience for Moonlake Homestay – Da Lat: instead of taking a frontal shot of the living room, we suggest trying an angle from the stairs looking down, creating the feeling that guests are stepping into a cozy space like a fairy tale.
A shot from below looking up is also an unusual way to highlight the wooden ceiling and wide windows—elements that are often overlooked. According to a study from the Journal of Visual Communication (2022), photos taken from non-frontal angles can increase brand recall by up to 231%.
Focus on expressing emotional details and textures
When there is no professional photographer, a phone can still capture small, emotional details if you observe carefully. Instead of photographing the whole room, focus on:
- the wrinkled white sheet in the morning – evoking a space that has been truly “lived in”
- a steaming cup of tea on the rustic wooden table – create depth in space and flavor
- sunlight slanting through linen curtains – highlight natural materials and a sense of relaxation
Influence from the school of “emotional minimalism” integrated by DPS.MEDIA into consulting for homestay startup owners: filter the context, highlight emotions with “storytelling” details. Below is a table we often use in visual content consulting for SMEs:
| small detail | Emotional meaning | Lighting suggestion |
|---|---|---|
| An unfinished book on the bed | Evokes stillness, privacy | Soft, natural light |
| A vase of dried flowers on a wooden cabinet | Vintage, deep feeling | Soft yellow light in the late afternoon |
| A handmade cushion | Handmade – local – personalized | Make use of side lighting |
Emotions are evoked not only by composition, but also by the authenticity in details – something that phone photos can fully convey if the photographer is sensitive. That's when the phone becomes a tool for creative emotion, not just a camera.
What I want to convey
Taking beautiful homestay photos with your phone is no longer impossible once you grasp the principles of lighting, composition, and how to subtly utilize space. With sensitivity and an aesthetic eye, anyone can create impressive shots that catch the eye and inspire experiences. The tips in this article are the first step to taking your homestay's images and brand identity to a “new level”.
At DPS.MEDIA, we understand that every homestay has its own unique story, and images are the bridge that helps tell that story in the most vivid way. As users increasingly decide to “choose a place to stay through photos”, the ability to create quality content yourself is an extremely valuable advantage for accommodation tourism businesses – especially SMEs. Proactively creating content with your phone not only saves costs but also gives you more flexibility in reaching customers on digital platforms.
If you are interested in optimizing your digital content strategy, image branding, or digital marketing tools that are effectively supporting the tourism – accommodation industry, don't hesitate to explore other topics on the DPS.MEDIA blog. We are always ready to accompany Vietnamese businesses on the journey of smart and effective digital transformation.
Have you tried applying the tips shared above? Don’t hesitate to leave a comment, share your photos, or ask questions if you need more suggestions! Let’s turn your phone into a powerful creative tool together!
