When people ask us about our lifestyle, they usually imagine we spend our days sipping wine and staring at views. While we definitely do that, the reality of maintaining a five-star reputation involves a lot of behind-the-scenes work. The most critical, yet often overlooked task? Taking photos and managing communication.
For a homeowner, leaving their beloved pets and property in the hands of a stranger is a massive leap of faith. The bridge that spans that gap of anxiety is the daily update. After hundreds of nights in other people's homes, we’ve realized that perfecting the art of the update is just as important as learning the ropes of this lifestyle in the first place.
The Psychology of the Update
Before diving into the mechanics of photography and apps, it is vital to understand why we send updates. To a house sitter, a sleeping dog is just a sleeping dog. To the owner, a photo of their dog sleeping peacefully signifies that the animal is safe, relaxed, and comfortable with you.
Consistency builds trust. When you streamline your update routine, you aren't just saving time; you are curating a professional experience. The goal is to make the homeowner feel like they are right there with you, without you having to spend your entire day documenting every movement. This level of care is what helps you avoid red flags that make owners nervous and secures you repeat invites to incredible homes.
Optimizing Your Communication Tools
Most house-sitting platforms offer built-in messaging systems. While functional for the initial application, they often lack the immediacy and media-handling capabilities of dedicated chat apps.
The Superiority of WhatsApp
Experienced house sitters almost universally prefer WhatsApp for owner communication. It is widely used globally, handles high-resolution images and videos better than most platform chats, and allows for voice notes and calls.
The messaging features on popular house sitting platforms can sometimes be glitchy or slow to upload media. By moving the conversation to WhatsApp (with the owner's permission, of course), you simplify the technical act of sending the update.
The "One-Tap" Home Screen Shortcut
One of our best tips for making communication faster and hassle-free is to remove the friction of finding the contact. If you have to unlock your phone, open WhatsApp, scroll through your chats, find the owner, and then attach a photo, it feels like a chore.
Instead, create a shortcut to the owner's contact directly on your phone’s main screen.
On Android: Open the chat in WhatsApp, tap the three dots, select "More," and choose "Add shortcut."
On iPhone: You can use the "Shortcuts" app to create a direct link to a specific WhatsApp conversation.
This is a massive productivity hack, especially if you are managing a workflow while working remotely during your sit. A single tap lets you send a picture in seconds.
The Art of "Banking" Content
A common misconception is that a daily update requires a photo taken at that exact moment. This pressure can lead to stress, especially on days when the pets are being elusive, the weather is bad, or the lighting is poor.
Why You Should Bank Photos
Some days, the pets are simply not going to be photogenic. Perhaps the cat is hiding under the bed, or the dog is muddy from a walk. On other days, the pets are looking beautiful all day, playing in the sun or cuddling on the sofa.
Take advantage of the "good" days. If the pets are being particularly cute or active, take ten photos instead of one. Snap a variety of angles and activities. Send one immediately, but keep the remaining nine in your gallery.
This strategy allows you to "bank" content. Over the next few days, if you are busy exploring the local area or if the animals are just sleeping in a heap, you can use one of your saved high-quality photos.
This is particularly useful when looking after independent cats who might spend half the day outdoors and unavailable for a photo op. You can caption it honestly, such as, "Here is another cute shot from our garden time the other day!" or simply send the photo to keep the visual connection alive.
Establishing a Manageable Routine
Consistency is key, but it must be sustainable. You do not need to be a documentary filmmaker to be a good house sitter. You simply need a trigger that reminds you to connect.
The Feeding Time Trigger
Is sending one update a day manageable? Absolutely. The easiest way to integrate this into your day is to anchor it to a habit you already have. Feeding the pets happens once or twice a day, every day.
Use this time to snap a picture. The pets are usually excited, awake, and in a specific location. Snapping a picture then and sending it takes barely any effort. It ensures you never forget an update because you cannot forget to feed them. This falls right in line with standard daily duties that every sitter performs.
Defining Frequency with the Owner
Communication preferences vary wildly. Before the sit begins, or upon arrival, communicate with the owner about how much they would prefer to hear from you. This should be one of the key questions you ask during the handover.
Short Sits (Under 1 week): Owners usually prefer daily updates. They are acutely aware of their absence.
Long Sits (1 month+): Daily updates might become tedious for both parties. Owners on long-term stays often prefer updates about 3 times a week.
However, be adaptable. For example, during a house sit in Ostuni, Italy, the homeowner initially stated they preferred a message "every few days." However, after receiving the first few daily updates, their enthusiastic responses indicated they actually loved seeing their pets every day. In that case, 1 or 2 messages a day became the norm because it brought the owner joy. Read the room and adjust accordingly.
Content Variety: Photos vs. Videos
While photos are great, cute videos are often more reassuring. A 10-second video of a dog chasing a ball or a cat purring creates a stronger emotional connection than a static image.
Videos also serve as proof of health and mobility. Seeing a pet moving happily is the ultimate reassurance for an owner. This is especially true when keeping dogs active and happy, as owners love seeing their pups getting their exercise. Don't be afraid to mix up your media. A library of short video clips is just as valuable as a folder of photos.
Navigating the "Bad" Updates
Communication is easy when everything is going well. It becomes difficult, but essential, when things go wrong.
Honesty is the Best Policy
If something minor breaks, tell the owner immediately. Accidents happen from time to time. As long as you didn't do it intentionally or through gross negligence, you can't really get in trouble. However, hiding a broken glass or a stained rug destroys trust if the owner discovers it later.
Send a photo of the damage.
Explain exactly what happened.
Offer to replace it or pay money towards the broken item.
99% of the time, owners will appreciate the honesty and tell you not to worry about it. If the damage is significant, this is where knowing how accidental damage is handled becomes important. Transparency actually strengthens your professional reputation. It proves you are responsible and trustworthy, even when no one is watching.
Conclusion
Simplifying your house sit photography isn't about caring less; it's about organizing better. By utilizing tools like WhatsApp shortcuts, adopting a "content banking" strategy, and anchoring your updates to daily routines like feeding, you transform a daily chore into a seamless part of your day.
Remember, the goal is to provide peace of mind. Whether through a banked photo of a sleeping cat or a quick video of a morning walk, your updates allow the homeowners to relax and enjoy their travels, knowing their home and best friends are in capable hands. This attention to detail is exactly what helps in building a five-star profile that opens doors to the world’s most beautiful homes.
Do you usually use WhatsApp to message home owners?
Yes, it is used by most people and simplifies communication. It handles sending messages, photos, and calls much better than house-sitting platforms, which often lack robust chat features.
Is sending one update a day a manageable routine for you?
Absolutely. Feeding the pets happens once or twice a day, making it the perfect "trigger" to snap a picture and send it. It takes barely any effort when anchored to an existing routine.
Do you ever save a cute photo to send on a different day?
Yes, this is a great strategy. As we sit in the house and the pets are relaxing, it is easy to take multiple pictures. We keep a few of those "banked" to send to the homeowner over the next few days, especially if the pets are less photogenic later on.
Would you tell the owner immediately if something minor broke?
100%. Accidents happen. As long as it wasn't intentional, honesty is the best policy. You can always offer to replace the item or pay for it, which builds significant trust with the owner.
