Hotel Photography Guide and Tips
Hotel Photography Guide and Tips
As a real estate photography business, we know that good, high-quality photography can be the difference in enticing guests to a hotel. This guide would include strategic tips on how to take breathtaking images of hospitality interiors, whether you're an owner, manager, or photographer refining your skills. Lighting techniques and compositions will also range from staging-the-whole-nine-yards to presenting your hotel in the best possible light, literally and figuratively. Let's dive into the art of hotel photography!
Hotel Photography
How Hotel Managers and Teams Can Prepare for a Real Estate Marketing Photo Shoot
As a hotel manager, you understand the power of a great first impression—especially when attracting guests in today’s competitive hospitality market. A real estate marketing photo shoot or video shoot is your golden opportunity to showcase your property’s unique charm and amenities, driving bookings and creating excitement.
High-quality visuals can set you apart, but they don’t happen by magic. With some preparation, you and your team can ensure your hotel shines its brightest during the shoot.
Here’s a detailed guide to help you get the most out of this investment and present your property in a way that captivates potential guests, complete with a handy checklist to keep you on track.
Hotel Photography TIPS
1. Exterior
The outside of your hotel is the first thing guests see, so let’s make it welcoming. Start by cleaning the exterior of any debris—think leaves, litter, or stray items. Tidy up the landscaping by trimming bushes, mowing lawns, and pulling weeds. Remove movable eye distractions like trash cans, ashtrays, or parked cars near the entrance (consider blocking parking spots to keep the area clear). The goal is a clean, uncluttered look that highlights your property’s curb appeal.
2. Lobby
Your lobby sets the tone for the guest experience, so it needs to look pristine. Thoroughly clean the space, removing trash cans, cords, or anything that draws attention away from the design. Keep it tidy, organized, and free of random props. Turn on all lights to brighten the area, but keep televisions off for a distraction-free shot. Straighten wall art and lampshades to ensure everything looks polished and intentional.
3. Guest Rooms
Guest rooms are the heart of your hotel, and they should look inviting and spotless. Pre-block the rooms you want photographed beforehand, then clean them thoroughly. Remove eye distractions like trash cans, cords, or cables, and ensure the space is tidy and prop-free. Turn on all lights, turn off TVs, and straighten wall art, lampshades, and closet doors. For the beds, iron bedspreads if needed, pin linens to the mattress for a crisp look, and fluff pillows to perfection.
4. Guest Room Bathrooms
A sparkling bathroom can seal the deal for a guest. Clean the vanity and entire bathroom area thoroughly, removing trash cans, cords, or cables. Consider moving the ice bucket and coffee maker off the vanity for a sleek look. Arrange toiletries attractively on the counter, put toilet lids down, and hang towels evenly on racks. Decide whether the shower curtain should be open or closed based on your property’s style, and straighten any wall art if present.
5. Conference Rooms, Meeting Spaces, and Banquet Rooms
These spaces should tell a story of functionality and elegance. Choose a setup that reflects how the room is most commonly used—like a meeting in progress or a banquet ready to welcome guests. Clean the room thoroughly, removing trash cans, cords, or cables. If the view outside is photogenic, open the curtains; otherwise, keep them closed. Turn off projectors, LCD TVs, and laptops, and straighten paintings or lampshades. If there’s a coffee station, set it up neatly, and try to avoid booking the room during the shoot for uninterrupted access.
6. Pool
A sparkling pool area screams relaxation. Clean it just before the shoot, removing trash cans, cords, or cables, and dry any water puddles around the deck. Arrange chairs to face the pool, open any umbrellas for a summery vibe, and tidy up the surrounding landscaping. Turn on the whirlpool if you have one, but keep TVs off to maintain focus on the water and ambiance.
7. Fitness Center
Your fitness center should look ready for action. Clean it right before the shoot, returning all equipment to its proper place and arranging machines in an attractive, logical layout. Complete any rearrangements ahead of time and remove distractions like trash cans or cords. Turn off TVs to keep the focus on the equipment and space.
8. Business Center
A tidy business center signals productivity. Clean the area thoroughly, keeping it organized and free of props. Remove trash cans, cords, or cables, straighten wall art and lampshades, and arrange chairs to face the same direction for a cohesive look. The goal is a professional, uncluttered space that appeals to business travelers.
9. Breakfast Area
The breakfast area is best photographed after regular hours to avoid disruptions. Clean it thoroughly, removing table tents, trash cans, cords, or cables. Set it up completely as if guests are about to arrive—think fresh linens and neat table settings (no disposable utensils or tableware, please). Arrange chairs to face the tables, straighten wall art and lampshades, and close any cupboards for a streamlined look.
10. Restaurant
Your restaurant should look ready to welcome diners. Clean it thoroughly and set it up as if service is about to begin—tables set, chairs arranged toward the tables, and no table tents, trash cans, cords, or cables in sight. Straighten wall art and lampshades to complete the polished presentation.
11. Bar/Lounge
The bar or lounge is all about atmosphere, so make it inviting. Clean the area thoroughly and set it up as if guests are about to arrive—chairs facing tables or aligned at the bar, no table tents, trash cans, cords, or cables cluttering the scene. Straighten wall art and lampshades to tie it all together.
HOTEL Photography Checklist
Here’s a concise checklist to ensure nothing slips through the cracks:
Exterior
Clean exterior of any debris
Tidy all landscaping
Remove all movable eye distractions (trash cans, ashtrays, cars, etc).
Block parking spots near entrance
Lobby
Clean lobby thoroughly
Remove all movable eye distractions (trash cans, cords, etc).
Keep the lobby tidy, organized, and free of props
Turn on all lights and turn off all televisions
Straighten wall art and lampshades
Guest Rooms
Pre-block rooms before photo shoot
Clean room(s) thoroughly
Remove all eye distractions (trash cans, cords, cables, etc.)
Keep room(s) tidy, organized, and free of props
Turn on all lights and turn off all televisions
Straighten wall art and lampshades
Close closet doors
Iron bedspreads if needed, pin linens to mattresses, and fluff pillows
Guest Room Bathrooms
Clean the vanity and bathroom area thoroughly
Remove all eye distractions (trash cans, cords, cables, etc.)
Remove ice bucket and coffee maker from vanity (recommended)
Arrange toiletry items attractively on counters
Put toilet lids down
Arrange towels on rack to equal length
Shower curtain open or closed (per property specifications)
Straighten wall art (if applicable)
Conference Rooms/Meeting Spaces/Banquet Rooms
Choose a setting the room is most commonly used for (e.g., event in progress)
Clean room thoroughly
Remove all eye distractions (trash cans, cords, cables, etc.)
Open curtains if the view is photographically pleasing
Turn off projectors, LCD TVs, and laptops
Straighten paintings and lampshades
Set up a coffee station (if applicable)
Avoid booking the room during shoot time (if possible)
Pool
Clean the pool area just before shooting
Remove all eye distractions (trash cans, cords, cables, etc.)
Dry any water puddles around the pool
Arrange chairs to face the pool
Open all umbrellas (if applicable)
Tidy landscaping (if applicable)
Turn on the whirlpool (if applicable)
Turn off TVs (if applicable)
Fitness Center
Clean the fitness area just before shooting
Place all equipment in proper place
Position machines attractively
Complete rearrangements before shoot (if necessary)
Remove all eye distractions (trash cans, cords, cables, etc.)
Turn off TVs
Business Center
Clean business center thoroughly
Keep room tidy, organized, and free of props
Remove all eye distractions (trash cans, cords, cables, etc.)
Straighten wall art and lampshades
Arrange chairs to face the same direction
Breakfast Area
Photograph after regular breakfast hours (recommended)
Clean breakfast area thoroughly
Remove all eye distractions (table tents, trash cans, cords, cables, etc.)
Set up completely as if preparing for guests
Arrange chairs to face tables
Straighten wall art and lampshades
Close cupboards (if applicable)
No disposable utensils or tableware in photos
Restaurant
Clean the restaurant thoroughly
Set up completely as if preparing for guests
Arrange chairs to face tables
Remove all eye distractions (table tents, trash cans, cords, cables, etc.)
Straighten wall art and lampshades
Bar/Lounge
Clean bar/lounge area thoroughly
Set up completely as if preparing for guests
Remove all eye distractions (table tents, trash cans, cords, cables, etc.)
Arrange chairs to face tables or the same direction at the bar
Straighten wall art and lampshades
Final Thoughts
Preparing your hotel for a real estate marketing photo shoot doesn’t have to be overwhelming—with teamwork and attention to detail, you can make your property shine. These steps and the hotel photography checklist will help you maximize the impact of your visuals, turning casual browsers into eager guests.
If you have any questions or want personalized advice, please reach out. We are happy to schedule a walk-through beforehand to offer tailored tips and ensure everything’s picture-perfect. Let’s work together to capture your hotel at its best—contact us today!
