Luxury holiday let Photography — Cumbria & the Lake District

The Silva Treehouse in Cumbria is one of those special places, where you can literally switch off from your everyday world. As a Cumbrian based photographer who shoots a lot of bespoke holiday accommodation and does glamping photography, I revelled in spending a day at this beautiful location. Set at the foot of the North Pennines and with views towards Blencathra and the Lake District, the treehouse is perfectly placed to give it’s guests access to the outdoor playground which is the North of England.

Holiday accommodation photography is one of my favourite areas to work in and takes me across Cumbria and beyond. Living in the Lake District and being involved in the tourism industry has changed the way that I work and opened new doors. With more and more farmers and land owners diversifying, there is a wave of creative and bespoke glamping accommodation appearing across the fells and mountains. Silva Treehouse caught my eye and is marketed by Canopy and Stars. The design is completely unique and it’s this ‘one off’ quality that adds to the charm. There’s no row of carbon copies all sharing the same footprint, this treehouse sits on its own, amongst the branches with no one to disturb you.

My job was to capture the creativity and detail that has gone into the build and design. The initial challenge was finding a day when it was available (always a good sign). Fortunately the weather played ball and I was able to spend some time photographing the structure and surrounding landscape. Using a drone would be key to putting the treehouse into context with it’s surroundings and getting some aerial images always helps the viewer in terms of realising the remoteness of the location. I’ll often bring the drone along to any photoshoot where I think it might add value and always to any holiday accommodation photoshoot. Spending some time to walk around, work out where the light will change as the day goes on and what needs prioritising in case of bad weather is always the first job. Having had no opportunity to do a recce, I had go work quickly to get a scope of the job. The drone photography and outdoor work was first priority just in case the weather turned, which can often happen in the Lake District. Making sure that attention to detail was taken, such as lighting the hot tub and log burner early on, that way they were both producing smoke and steam when I needed it. once the accommodation has been prepped and everything styled and ready, it’s then a case of ticking off the ‘hero’ shots. These are the key images that my client would need to help sell the venue to potential guests. Having ensured that all rooms are photographed and key features captured, I can then get onto the details and little touches that help to make the treehouse stand out. This is something that all holiday accommodation owners are becoming aware of now and these unique features are what make the difference when it comes to marketing photography.

Being a commercial photographer based in the Lake District takes me to some pretty stunning locations and I love every day of these marketing and photographic challenges.

If you own a unique holiday let, glamping site or bespoke accommodation in Cumbria or the Lake District, the photography on your booking page is often the single biggest factor in whether a guest clicks through or scrolls past. Great photography doesn't just show a space — it sells an experience.

Based in Cumbria, I work with holiday let owners, glamping site operators and letting agencies to capture properties that stand out in a crowded market. Whether it's a treehouse, shepherd's hut, converted barn or something entirely one-off, the aim is always the same: to show guests exactly why they should choose your property over every other listing on the page.

What's included:

• Interior "hero" shots — the key images that sell the space: living areas, bedrooms, kitchens, bathrooms

• Detail and styling shots — the small touches that make a property distinctive: a log burner lit, a hot tub steaming, fresh linen, local touches

• Drone and aerial photography — putting the property in context with its landscape, especially valuable for remote or unusual settings

• Exterior and landscape shots — showing off the setting, views and surroundings that guests are really paying for

• Twilight and interior-lit shots — capturing the atmosphere a property has once the sun goes down, often some of the most compelling images for a booking page

Why it matters:

Guests booking a unique stay are buying a feeling as much as a bed for the night — the ability to switch off, the view from the window, the novelty of the space itself. Photography that only shows "a bedroom" or "a kitchen" misses that entirely. Creating a feeling and sense of place is what draws guests in and good photography does exactly that.

Process:

Every property is different, so the approach is tailored to what makes yours worth visiting — careful attention to styling and small details, and making the most of weather and timing (especially for drone and exterior work, where Cumbrian weather doesn't always cooperate).

Own a unique holiday let or glamping site in Cumbria and the Lake District? Get in touch to discuss photography that helps your property stand out.