You are about to put your place up for rent. It might be a traditional long-term let, or a short stay through Airbnb, Booking or Vrbo. Whichever route you take, you almost certainly want the best possible return and good guests. One of the most effective ways to make a listing more appealing is to invest in professional photography.
Many people do not realise that photography services are deductible in Finnish taxation as an expense of rental activity. In practice this means that if you buy, say, professionally shot listing photos of your place, you can deduct the cost in full from your rental income. Your taxable income falls and you save on tax. The money you save can go into even better photos, which in turn improves the return on your investment over the long run.
Why professional photography pays off in rentals
Studies and experience suggest that professionally shot photos can raise rental income on Airbnb and comparable platforms by roughly 20% on average. When a listing stands out thanks to high-quality images, occupancy rises and guests are willing to pay a higher nightly rate. That is a real competitive advantage, especially in areas where there is plenty of supply.
In traditional long-term lets, professional photos work as an effective marketing tool too. When a place is presented in the best possible light it attracts more interest and gives a more trustworthy impression of the landlord. Well-photographed spaces signal care, and they cut down on pointless enquiries, because the condition and the atmosphere come across properly from the images.
The deduction from an investor’s point of view
The right to deduct makes investing in photography particularly attractive. If you pay 300 euros for a shoot, for example, you can deduct the whole amount from your taxable income. In practice the relief can cover a significant share of the cost, so the real investment is smaller than the invoice. At the same time good photos bring more bookings and more revenue, so the investment pays for itself quickly.
The long-term benefit
Good photos keep paying off later, too. The same images can be reused when you change tenants or refresh your listing for a new season. A one-off investment can serve for several years and several different purposes.
Summary
Deducting photography against rental income is an effective way to reduce your taxable income while making your property more appealing. Professional images increase bookings, improve returns and help you stand out from the competition on Airbnb, Booking and the other rental platforms. Combine the tax benefit with the higher yield and it is easy to conclude that professional photography is one of the most worthwhile investments you can make to support a rental business.
You will find practical examples and prices on the accommodation photography page. This article is general information, not tax advice. Check your own situation with the Finnish Tax Administration.
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