I Rent Out My Home for Photo Shoots: Here's What It's Really Like

Architectural Digest

by Ingrid Abramovitch

February 13, 2026

AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary

Renting out a primary residence for photo shoots has become an increasingly popular way for homeowners with a keen eye for design to turn their living spaces into lucrative assets. In this article, a design journalist shares her experience of transforming her Brooklyn brownstone into a sought-after shooting location for brands like 1-800-Flowers and Warby Parker. The process, while sometimes chaotic, can offer financial benefits, especially for those whose homes already double as picture-perfect sets. With IRS guidelines allowing tax-free earnings from renting out a home for up to 14 days annually, and platforms like Peerspace and Giggster making it easier to monetize spaces directly, this trend is growing among interior designers and design enthusiasts. The article highlights the role of agents like Andrea Raisfeld, who specialize in vetting locations for high-end productions. While smaller-scale rentals might start at $85-250 an hour or $1,000 a day, fees can climb much higher in cities like Los Angeles, where daily rates often exceed $5,000. For top-tier homes designed by AD100 designers, daily rates can reach upwards of $50,000. This lucrative market has attracted interior designers and art directors who have turned their homes into recurring sets for TV shows, fashion campaigns, and other commercial projects. The author also shares anecdotes about the challenges of hosting photo shoots, including unexpected requests like a clawfoot tub in her living room or crates of flowers covering every surface. Despite these disruptions, she emphasizes the financial rewards and the satisfaction of seeing her home featured in professional campaigns. Friends in the design world, such as interior designer Michael Maher and art director Agnethe Glatved, have also embraced this trend, designing their homes with photo shoots in mind and incorporating movable furniture and neutral palettes

Verticals

designhome

Originally published on Architectural Digest on 2/13/2026