Hotel Photography:
Preparing for a Photo Shoot

Rooms

It should go without staying that every room type should be pristinely clean for the shoot. Bedding and pillows should be spotless and perfectly pressed.

Curtains need to hang with even pleats and not drag on the floor.

Fold and organize bath towels to brand standards.

Any printed materials should be removed as they add clutter and can date an image. The same goes for TVs, phones and electronics unless absolutely essential (i.e., a selling point). We sometimes carefully curate books and props to embellish the image, if it is within the brand guidelines.

Please check all lighting before our arrival and we request that cables are concealed.

If the view from the window is significant, then windows must be cleaned before the shoot. Rooms and suites with a premium view truly convey a sense of the locale. Higher floors tend to yield better images in this case.

If we’re adding flowers, these need to be chosen carefully and ordered in advance.

We’ve learned that having the same housekeeping team available throughout the rooms photography is a wonderful aid, as they improve each day and understand the photographer better. Changing a housekeeping team can slow the shoot considerably. Approximately half the images for a hotel shoot might include rooms, which means that cooperative teamwork can contribute greatly to optimum results.

Restaurants, bars and lounges

Our key aim when photographing food and beverage outlets is to highlight the magnificent architectural spaces, the special features of the venue and the view, if there is one.

It is always preferable to photograph a bar or restaurant in advance of the hotel’s opening to avoid interfering with guest experience. If it is operational, we need to find a time slot that doesn’t conflict. For example, in the all-day dining outlet, breakfast is usually 7.00 am to 10.30am – so we could elect so shoot before or after those times. Table setup is also important, and a decision needs to be made on which table setup is most preferable for the images, typically dinner. This is a discussion you have to have internally prior to our crew arriving.

We should also look at floral arrangements on tables. Ideally, any flowers should be simple and elegant, as a busy floral arrangement can cause visual noise and unnecessary added clutter. The florals may be exchanged with lights if the images are captured after dusk or at night.

Sometimes we elect to remove a number of tables if the outlet looks too crowded with tables.

It’s worth keeping in mind that the time of day dictates the mood, and while some outlets such as cigar bars and lounges may benefit from being shot in a darker light, others may look better in daylight. Either way, the timing is crucial and images must be scheduled well in advance.

Meeting and event spaces

For meeting and event spaces, we aim to display the best architectural features of the space and make it bright and welcoming. Rooms with natural light are more attractive better than dark or fully enclosed rooms.

The furniture arrangement is critically important in these rooms. These rooms shouldn’t be overcrowded with furniture as potential bookers want space for their delegates.

For most MICE images floral arrangements aren’t essential, except when shooting a wedding or banquet set-up. In those instances, the flowers require great consideration and must be planned in advance as getting a great number of centre arrangements in advance isn’t easy.

Tablecloths regularly pose a common challenge. We often find them poorly pressed, wrinkled and creased with different drop lengths. Please speak to the banquet manager in advance to allow them time to prepare for the shoot.

Exterior hotel imagery

These are the signature images of the property. Every OTA and publication will likely use an exterior image of your property as a showcase image.

We request that the gardens must be landscaped and trimmed with any dead leaves and tree branches removed. Cars should be moved away from the entrance except for a hotel-branded vehicle, if available.

When we’re capturing a dusk image, we will organize prior with the engineering to manually override any automatic timers and ensure that all lights are turned on one hour before sunset or sunrise. Any rooms on the façade side should have the lights on, and while blackout curtains should be open, the sheer blinds should remain closed.

Scheduling

Are there any restrictions on when and where we can conduct the photoshoot? Also, are there specific deadlines for certain scenes, such as the meeting spaces, that we should be aware of?

Point of Contact

Could you please confirm who will be our onsite point of contact during the shoot to assist with any questions or needs that may arise?

Bar Cart

Would it be possible to provide TWO bar carts (like this one) or similar equipment to help us move our gear/props easily between spaces? This will streamline the process and allow us to work more efficiently.

Thank you for your attention to these details. Please let us know if there’s anything further we need to discuss.