Capturing the Soul of Your Hotel
A Photographer’s Guide to Authentic Hotel Photography
Hotel photography is often synonymous with ultra-polished, corporate images. But if you want to capture the warmth of your space, you’ll want to hire a lifestyle photographer.
I spoke with Alana Kumar, our in-house lifestyle photographer, about her photography process and the on site hurdles she faces.
The Set-Up: Natural Light is Your Friend!
The kit is intentionally simple: a camera lens and open curtains. Never turn on the overhead lights, as they often create harsh contrasts and skew the room’s color temperature. Lamps are okay! They create pockets of warm ambiance.
Now it’s time to curate the scene. Remove any room clutter or trash. While rooms are usually cleaned before a photography session, you may need to move cables or garbage bins. Maybe even some light dusting!
A simple way to add life to the room is by bringing flowers or foliage into the frame.
“I also love putting a plant in front of my camera and shooting the room through it. That provides a lovely diffused shot. I like photography to capture a moment or a feeling, and I think that is what humans are naturally captivated by.”
Common Hotel Shoot Challenges (And the Simple Fixes!)
Challenge #1: The Orange Glow
While using lamps adds a warm ambiance, it can cast an overwhelming orange tint in your photos. You can adjust white balance in your camera, Alana advises, but you’ll often find the post needs further editing to correct it.
TIP: If you shoot in RAW, fixing the lighting is easy but time-consuming.
Challenge #2: No Model and Worse–NO BUDGET!
“I had a big hotel shoot, and the client decided they wanted models with no warning and no budget.”
Alana discusses how she was able to improvise with co-workers for part of the shoot, but then had to get out the tripod and start posing!
“I have so much experience working on the fly, and making things work in the moment, you just do whatever it is to get the job done!”
What I Wish I Knew Before My First Hotel Shoot
The biggest lesson? Letting go of the idea of a vacant, ready-to-shoot hotel. Unless the hotel hasn’t opened yet, there is no such thing as a perfectly staged hotel. You will always find yourself shooting around guests, kids, or staff.
“Nobody is clearing out a lobby for your shot!”
Be flexible and observant, and shoot with the ebb and flow of the day. Be ready to tell the story that’s in front of you, not just the one you planned.
The Takeaway
At its heart, great lifestyle photography is about using natural elements to capture the flair and charm of your property. Following the intimate details–like capturing the sun as it hits an armchair–gives the viewer the feeling of “I want to be there.” By prioritizing natural light and embracing imperfection, you give the imagery soul.
Ready to capture your hotel’s story?Book your photography session today with RevPar Media. Let us make your hotel memorable.
