Aerial Photography for Airbnb & VRBO Listings in Nashville — Is It Worth It?

Nashville’s short-term rental market is saturated. There are thousands of active Airbnb and VRBO listings across Middle Tennessee — from downtown condos to lake houses in Hendersonville to cabins near the Natchez Trace.

Guests searching for a place to stay see dozens of options before they click on yours.

The question isn’t whether aerial photography is nice to have. The question is: what gets a guest to click on your listing instead of the one next to it?

Key Takeaways

• Interior shots alone don’t show outdoor space, water access, or neighborhood setting — aerial photography does

• A compelling aerial thumbnail drives more clicks in Airbnb and VRBO search results

• A single aerial shoot can pay for itself within one additional booking

• APEX Drone Co delivers STR aerial packages starting at $275, with 48-hour turnaround

What aerial photos show that interior shots can’t

Most Airbnb listings have the same photos: living room, kitchen, bedrooms, maybe a deck shot. When every listing looks the same, nothing stands out.

Aerial photos show what makes a property unique:

• The full lot and outdoor space — a pool, a fire pit area, a large backyard

• Proximity to water, green space, or local attractions

• The neighborhood feel and surrounding area

• Proximity to Nashville’s main corridors or entertainment districts

• A perspective that conveys the scale and privacy of the property

For properties outside downtown — a lake cabin near Gallatin, a countryside retreat near Columbia, a hilltop home in Nolensville — aerial photos don’t just look good. They communicate the experience of staying there in a way interior shots simply can’t.

Click-through rates and booking performance

Guests decide within seconds whether a listing is worth clicking on. Thumbnail photos drive that decision. A compelling aerial shot in the lead position — or even as a secondary image — changes how a listing performs in search results.

Once guests are inside the listing, aerial photos add credibility. They show the property is well-maintained, well-located, and worth the rate being charged. Hosts who invest in professional aerial photography often report higher booking rates and better guest reviews around the property experience — because guests arrive knowing exactly what to expect.

Is it worth the cost for a short-term rental?

Consider the math. A Nashville short-term rental averaging two bookings per month at $250/night for three nights generates roughly $1,500/month. If better photography increases your booking rate by even 10%, the aerial shoot pays for itself in the first booking.

Professional drone photography for short-term rentals starts at $275 with APEX Drone Co. Delivered within 48 hours. No second-guessing the return on that.

What we shoot for STR properties

APEX Drone Co aerial coverage for Airbnb and VRBO listings includes:

• Overhead and wide-angle property shots showing full lot and outdoor space

• Perspective shots at multiple elevations

• Surrounding neighborhood and landmark context

• Color-corrected images formatted for Airbnb, VRBO, and other platforms

Service area covers Nashville, Brentwood, Franklin, Murfreesboro, Gallatin, Hendersonville, Nolensville, Spring Hill, Columbia, and surrounding Middle Tennessee.

FAQs

Do Airbnb and VRBO allow aerial photos in listings? 

Yes — both platforms fully support aerial photography and allow it as lead or secondary listing images. There are no restrictions on professional drone photos in STR listings.

How will aerial photos actually improve my booking rate? 

By increasing click-throughs in search results and giving guests a more complete picture of the property before booking. Guests who arrive knowing what to expect are also more likely to leave positive reviews.

Can APEX Drone Co shoot properties outside Nashville? 

Yes — the full service area covers Middle Tennessee, including lake communities in Gallatin and Hendersonville, rural retreats near Columbia and Spring Hill, and everything in between.

What’s included in an STR aerial package? 

10+ edited, color-corrected images formatted for Airbnb, VRBO, and other platforms. Delivered within 48 hours. Starting at $275.

Book a shoot or request a quote at apexdroneco.com or call 615-997-0633.