Humans are visual creatures. From the dawn of time, we’ve made cave drawings and carvings to communicate with each other and share our culture and values.
Today we have phones with thousands of pictures saved. We take pictures, we arrange them, we curate memories as a way to hold on to the moments that matter most.
Yet many hosts still upload rushed, low-quality car photos to their listings.
In this competitive tourism market, travelers have endless choices across car rental agencies and OTAs. So if they’re going to stop scrolling and click on your listing, you need to give them a clear reason.
Here at Tarlen, we’ve found that the most successful hosts are the ones who invest time into taking great photos.
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Why should you use well-taken photos in your listing on Tarlen?
Pictures are the backbone of your listing. They communicate the value of your vehicle within seconds.
With your vehicle photos, you can shape the story or emotion you want renters to feel when they find your listing. You can show your vehicle’s uniqueness, and help them imagine the experience of driving it.
But that’s only if they’re well taken, clean, and compelling.
Benefits of great photos
#1. They show your car in the best light
Great pictures show your listing at its best. They tell travelers your vehicle is clean, well maintained, and cared for.
Playing with different angles helps potential renters imagine themselves behind the wheel. And that creates an emotional connection.
#2. Great pictures build trust and credibility
In many cases, poor photos are the biggest reason a listing struggles to get bookings.
Think about it: travelers want convenience and need to know their host is invested, attentive, and reliable. If you cannot spend more than a few minutes on the pictures, it suggests to them you may not be as committed.
#3. Great pictures increase your visibility on Tarlen
Well taken pictures don’t just attract guests, they also strengthen Tarlen as a platform.
So, listings with beautiful images rank higher, are more visible and recommended more often to travellers, bringing in more bookings.
#4. Better performance in your local market
Your listing competes not just on Tarlen, but across social media, ads, and email campaigns with other car rental platforms and agencies.
Strong visuals cut through the noise and win clicks where weak ones get overlooked.
Pictures are a great investment
Too often, we’ve seen hosts treat their car photos as an afterthought. They prioritise everything but the pictures and then take a few random snaps of the vehicle in their backyards or garage.
But they don’t understand that they’ll be competing against listings with strong photos that gets rented out frequently.
Photos should never be a random chore; they’re an investment in your business. Each image brings you closer to steady cashflow and profit in your carsharing business.
If you’re planning to start your carsharing business and don’t know how to take photos that work on Tarlen, we’ll walk you through the process. In the next 5 minutes, you’ll know exactly how to capture pictures that will attract and delight your guests.
How to take great pictures that will have your guests hooked
#1. Set the scene
Ask yourself: How do you want renters to envision using your vehicle? What should they feel when they see your listing? Are you appealing to adventure-seekers, luxury travelers, or city drivers?
Stage the scene and shape your photos to create that narrative.
If you want your potential renter to feel like they can take on the city with your vehicle? Can you show them exactly what it would look like?
#2. Take a few steps back to get the whole vehicle in the frame:
The Tarlen app crops the outer edges of your pictures, so take 4–6 steps back before photographing your vehicle. This ensures the car isn’t cut off.
#3. Take all photos in landscape mode
Tarlen is built for landscape pictures. Portrait shots appear unprofessional and may turn renters away.
Here’s a side by side comparison of portrait and landscape pictures used on Tarlen.
#4. Take pictures of the interior
Show off your interior. Show renters where they’ll seat, the dashboard and steering wheels. Don’t skip this.
#5.Don’t use stock pictures
Your vehicle is unique. And travelers want to see it. Stock photos break trust and reduce bookings.
Imagine more visibility, more trust, and more income on Tarlen. Now open your camera, step outside and make it happen.
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