We built a network of photographers to improve the quality of listings, recognizing that high-quality photos could significantly enhance the attractiveness of properties on Airbnb.

Airbnb's photography service started from a personal experience where they realized better photos could enhance listings, leading to a successful on-demand photography network.

We realized that many of our hosts had poor photos of their listings, which hindered growth; addressing this issue was crucial for our success.

Airbnb helped their hosts improve their property photos, even at a loss, because they empathized with their users' needs and built trust through genuine care.

Airbnb's founders exemplified the principle of doing things that don't scale by personally taking high-quality photos of listings to attract users and get their business off the ground.

We aimed to launch our improved service in three months, incorporating payments and reviews to enhance user experience, and we launched our service just weeks before a major event, listing 800 properties to help locals make extra money during the influx of visitors.

By actively engaging with our users and improving their listings, we were able to curate quality properties, leading to increased bookings and traction for our service.

Investing in a human touch for our photography service leads to a compounding effect within the marketplace and helps us scale effectively.

During our first weekend of taking photos for hosts, we discovered the importance of understanding customer experiences in their natural environment.