Hotel and resort photography can encompass a number of other commercial genres of photography within the same assignment (such as architectural, interior design, lifestyle, head shot portraits and food photography) but we thought it was important to identify this as a specific genre in its own spectrum because there are many hotel, resorts and holiday accommodation businesses that require some form of photography to promote their establishments.
Results from hotel and resort photography must be exceptional as you are selling an experience to the audience through your images. Many of the larger hotel chains will have a style guide that promotes a consistent approach to their brand. A photography style guide may be just one section of a larger branding document that outlines standard compositions and scenes to include during the session.
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IF YOU LOVE PHOTOGRAPHY AND TRAVEL YOU’LL LOVE RESORT PHOTOGRAPHY!
The styles guide for hotel and resort photography
A styles guide may include required compositions such as the requirement for photos to tell a story, people doing everyday things that they do whilst in a hotel, the requirement for clear weather, photographs to be vertically correct, compositions with good depth of field, with staged items, the use of natural light where possible and so on. It may also include photography techniques to NOT include such as the use or overuse of filters, flash, cluttered street scenes, uneven verticals and overcast or bad weather.
If you are contracted to photograph a hotel or resort it is important to ask them if they have a styles guide, they would like you to follow. If they don’t have one that would be a great opportunity for you to develop one for them. There is also an opportunity for photographers to promote 360 photography with hotels to give prospective business clients and holidaymakers the prospect of visiting the hotel in the virtual world before arrival.
Many of the larger hotel chains will have a style guide that promotes a consistent approach to their brand.
Vital elements
Vital elements of hotel photography include good composition, decluttering, the use of angles to show a room, natural light considerations and the outdoor surrounds of the hotel. Recommended gear includes a quality full frame camera (although this may be subject to personal preference), a wide-angle lens and a sturdy and strong tripod.
Tilt shift
A tilt shift lens is also recommended as it can eliminate the problem of perspective when photographing structures and other subjects. It can effectively correct verticals where the lens is shifted either up, down or sideways. The perspective distortion created by a wide-angle lens pointing upwards or downwards can usually be corrected using software such as Lightroom or Photoshop, however a tilt shift lens will do this in the field and will do it accurately.
Level and heights
Photographs must be level, have the correct amount of warmth or cool ambience, be perfectly level in both straight-on photos and tilted photos and not be taken too wide. Camera height is also important and will depend on the subject – a hotel bedroom would be photographed at a low height so that the furniture and decorations are proportionally balanced in the photo (no need to show too much of the ceiling in a hotel room). Other areas of the hotel may need to be photographed with the camera at a higher position.
Compositions for hotel and resort photograpphy
Remember that composition is paramount, so take the time to set up each image before photographing. Hotel photography, being a mixture of many other genres of photography, will require enough time to capture all compositions acceptably. The length of time of a hotel photography assignment will depend on the size of the hotel, its location and any other requirements agreed for the assignment. At a minimum a hotel with views, differing rooms, restaurant, gym and corporate ballrooms and function rooms may require a full day from before dawn until after dusk.
Reflections on price
The amount charged top the client for a hotel photography assignment should as a minimum reflect the photographer’s experience, cost of gear and insurance, time on site, post-processing time and end use licencing.
Hotel and resort photography portfolio
This genre of photography is a commercial undertaking. So, if you are wanting to break into this genre commercially, you will need to build a website and create social media accounts at TikTok, Facebook and Instagram, and upload your best commercial work for prospective hotel and resort clients to review.
Have fun on holidays with hotel and resort photography!
The world is a big place... get out there and capture it perfectly.
