Here Are My Top Tips For Getting The Best Hotel photography

Communicate With Your Hospitality Photographer

​We all know how important professional quality hotel photos are. How can you help in getting the best hotel photography? If you are in Cambodia, Bali, Maldives or anywhere in Southeast Asia how do you make sure you get the best from your next hotel photo shoot?

Communication with your professional photographer is very important. Starting from the initial hotel photoshoot meeting to the actual hotel room photography. Your luxury hotel photographer values your input and any suggestions or comments that you. Please have a designated hospitality marketing personal assigned to the photo shoot. The hotel photographer may

• ​need housekeeping or maintenance
• ​have some questions on brand standards and your hotel photography guidelines
• ​ask for your suggestions

HOTEL SUITES AND GUEST ROOMS

Which hotel rooms to photograph?

Selecting your BEST hotel rooms is important. The light at the scheduled time of shooting and views play a major role in hotel room photos. Your hospitality photographer should be able to tell you what direction the rooms should be facing. If there is a view then the best time to capture the guest room.

A rule of thumb is that you want guest rooms to be the very best that guests will experience them in person. Do not include items that do not come with the room.

Linen and Curtains

Housekeeping should iron or steam bed skirts, bed sheets, pillow cases, bed scarves and curtains.

Window sheers open or closed? Have housekeeping prepare the curtains and sheers beforehand.

Tips and tricks

• ​Brand new bed linen is always creased so have housekeeping steam beforehand.
• ​Use your fluffiest pillows. Foam pillows work best.
• ​Use small pieces of double-sided tape to tape the top corners of the pillows to the headboard.
• ​In humid climates, it is advisable to leave climate control on so that all lines stay crisp and fresh.

​Other Items

​Make sure all light bulbs are working. If we have to call maintenance to replace or fix a light, it will delay the shoot.

Print items can date a photograph. Many brands prohibit these in guest room photographs. Place all TV channel guides, movie guides, guest directory, internet info, menus, etc. in a drawer. Consult your brand guidelines for direction.

​RESTAURANTS

​Plan for the restaurant photography during closing hours. This allows enough time for the staging and composition and reduces guest traffic. Staff on-hand can assist late-arriving guests and help with the set-up. Make sure perishable items such as fresh fruit and pastries are in stock beforehand. All tableware, cutlery and glasses should be sparkling clean.

​LOBBY & FRONT DESK

​Due to normal day to day operations the lobby area, your hotel photographer may need to photograph this area at night or early morning. Enough staff should be on hand to help with any guest traffic. The front desk/reception should be free from clutter. So remove all maps, brochures, newspapers, telephones, etc.Center and place computer monitors as low as possible behind the reception. Flowers should be fresh and plants healthy.Any staff members required to be in the photos make sure you schedule and brief them beforehand. Try and choose a staff member with a welcoming smile.

​SWIMMING POOLS

​Swimming pools can be busy throughout the day. Closing the pool off for the scheduled session will allow for proper staging and capturing at the optimal time. Clean the pool and surrounding areas beforehand. Turning the pumps off during shooting will help the water look crystal clear.The pool deck needs to be completely dry or completely wet. A staff member should be on hand with a supply of clean and fresh towels. Arrange the towels as per hotel photo guidelines.

​EXTERIOR

​Depending on the orientation of the building, the best time to shoot is at dawn or at sunset/twilight. Remove all ashtrays, trash cans and clean up the landscaping. Images should be free of guests and cars. Blocking off the parking around the main entrance ensures cars will not be visible. Make sure all exterior lights are working. An engineering staff member should be on hand to override any timers or sensors.

Depending on the occupancy of the hotel, turn lights in vacant guests rooms on. Brief ample staff to be able to do this and make sure you are able to communicate with them efficiently during the process.

Based on my experience these are some of the most important hotel photo tips and will help the hotel and resort photographer provide you with the best hotel photography.

​Summary

On your next hotel photoshoot in Bali, Vietnam, Malaysia or China being prepared will ensure you get the best hotel photography. Work together with your professional hospitality photographer and make sure your staff are aware of what needs ot be done and double check every detail.

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