Capturing the Essence of a Hotel
Hotel Photography and Video
Photographing a hotel is an art.
Sergio Morais asserts that while experienced photographers can effortlessly capture excellent natural photos, photographing luxury hotels and resorts requires a unique skill set to capture the essence of a place along with its beauty - it's about conveying a story within the image, something that draws viewers into a luxury experience. The best way to promote your hotel brand captivatingly is by hiring an experienced hotel photographer. A luxury hotel photographer can help you extract the full potential of your images, making your campaign successful and appealing.
Hotel Photography is an Art
Why Hotel Photography Works
Do stunning hotel photographs make such a difference?
It turns out exceptional images are worth the investment. The first way photographs grab attention is through basic psychology - intuitively, images draw all of us in. Research continues to confirm this inclination in human nature. According to a recent study, articles with images receive 94% more views than those without any visuals.
In the luxury hospitality industry, a stunning and captivating image grabs and retains the viewer's attention. In addition to drawing viewers to your ad or website, quality photographs allow you to quickly convey your brand's message. Nothing communicates your hotel's story and concepts more quickly or effectively than a good photograph. In a 2018 study, researchers determined that the human eye processes an image in as little as 13 milliseconds. That's much faster than scientists previously predicted and confirms what we already knew - we can judge a photograph in fractions of a second, determining whether we are interested in a product or story.
Our high-speed processing makes good photography even more essential - if a viewer judges your content and images in a fraction of a second, a below-average photograph likely won't hold their attention for more than a fleeting moment. Hotel photography can also capitalize on the latest trends in luxury hospitality. For example, as technology becomes an increasingly essential factor in travel and accommodations, we can use a photo shoot to highlight your hotel's innovation. Some of the trends that a captivating visual campaign can capitalize on include:
Technology - As technology continues to improve, the hospitality industry increasingly emphasizes connectivity and high-tech services. From hotel apps that allow guests to contact team members to "smart rooms," modern luxury hotels attract tech-savvy guests. In a photography campaign, we can highlight your hotel's advanced technology and showcase it in action.
Local Attractions - Today's travelers want to experience local culture. To attract new guests to your hotel, we highlight nearby attractions. By marketing your hotel brand, we can draw attention to experiences around your property, and high-quality photographs will increase the appeal of your location.
Nature-Inspired Design - Regarding style, the hospitality industry is leaning towards natural and minimalist styles. Simplified rooms and nature-inspired decor are in vogue, and the simple colors and designs of modern luxury accommodations emphasize the person rather than the space. A professional hotel photographer can highlight the details and style of a room, drawing attention to how your hotel fits into the latest design trends.
Ecological Elements - More and more companies are adopting sustainable practices, and the luxury hotel industry is no exception. Guests are starting to pay attention to a hotel's environmental policies, such as how much water and energy they use or how much they recycle. Highlight your brand's environmental focus through images - showcase energy-saving efforts or recyclable products during a photo shoot.
Health and Wellness - Another trend in luxury hotels is health and wellness. Guests have started to take care of their own health, and the hotel industry is responding. Well-equipped spas, yoga studios, and fitness centers are becoming more common, and different technologies, such as air purification, vitamin-enriched shower water, and in-room exercise equipment, are becoming standard. To attract health-conscious audiences, use hotel photography to emphasize your brand's focus on fitness and wellness.
Once you understand current trends and what guests are looking for, you can present your solution through excellent photography.
By capturing the image of a hotel, a skilled hotel photographer will easily attract attention to your brand - by highlighting the best elements of a hotel or resort, an experienced photographer can generate new interest in your business.
Luxury Hotel Photography
Photographing a luxury hotel is not the same as photographing architecture, location, or other promotional projects - a hotel photographer must capture the story and emotion behind a brand, along with the exterior and interior design.
First and foremost, a hotel photographer works closely with a client to realize their vision. Just like in portrait sessions, client care is crucial in hotel or resort projects - once the photographer understands the brand and the client's vision, they can begin to capture the essence and character of a location.
To fully represent the beauty and complexity of a luxury resort or hotel, a professional photographer highlights four distinct aspects - the property, the details, the team, and the hotel's story.
1- The Property
When photographing a hotel, one of the first steps is to capture the exterior architecture and grounds. The property is often a guest's first impression as they approach the resort - to highlight your brand from the competition, you need a photographer who understands how to represent both the beauty and character of a location.
When working on your property, a qualified photographer will capture the following aspects:
Architecture - The facades of your buildings are one of the first things a potential guest will notice. What makes your buildings distinct from other resorts and hotels? What lighting and angles create the most dramatic composition? A specialized hotel photographer will make the architecture and exterior of your property stand out from the competition.
Grounds - The grounds of a resort contribute to its charm and character. Are there ancient, majestic trees surrounding your hotel? Can a guest see the shoreline on the horizon? Perhaps your property includes lush gardens with carefully arranged paths, or it features a gleaming fountain carved in stone. A professional hotel photographer highlights the best parts of your landscaping and grounds, directing the viewer's attention to some of the most beautiful elements of your property.
Signage - An appealing photograph of hotel or resort signage is essential for your marketing campaign. Each sign is different - some have intricate details and style, while others take a more minimalist approach. Regardless of your signage design, a good photographer will use lighting and angles to create a unique image.
Surroundings - When photographing your resort property, a good photographer will also take note of any nearby attractions. Lush parks, unique shops, impressive landmarks - anything within walking distance of your property could be an additional draw for your location.
Whatever you want to emphasize, a qualified hotel photographer will capture the complexity and personality of your property.
2- The Details
When guests look for hotels or resorts, they are especially interested in the interior spaces and amenities. An experienced resort photographer will understand how to highlight the beautiful details of your buildings.
Captivating interior photographs showcase the nuances of your space. For example, if you want an image that conveys the comfort and peace of your rooms, a hotel photographer may highlight the crisp, immaculate bedding and simplified decor. If the hotel is in the heart of a city, soft, warm lighting can give the room an elegant atmosphere, perfect for nightlife. Alternatively, if a resort is situated on a cliff overlooking the beach, a photographer can enhance the gleaming, clean oceanic aesthetic with bright lighting and a minimalist color palette.
When photographing the interior details of your hotel or resort, a hotel photographer should highlight the following elements of your space.
The Rooms: For many visitors, the hotel rooms are the main attraction. What is the atmosphere of the room? Is it clean, comfortable, and stylish? A qualified hotel photographer will highlight the lovely and unique elements in your rooms.
The Lobby: A view of your resort or hotel lobby can highlight your attention to detail and style. Is the design vintage and glamorous, or does it embrace a modern, streamlined aesthetic? By experimenting with angles and composition, a professional photographer can make the lobby an impressive and inviting reception area for your hotel.
Common Areas: The common areas of your hotel are other essential details to capture. What are the lounge areas like? Does the facility have a professional conference room, an elegant ballroom, or a fully equipped fitness center? A hotel photographer can capture the excitement around any common space, whether you want to convey the motivation of an indoor gym or the romance of a rooftop terrace.
The Pool: An experienced luxury hotel photographer will pay special attention to any water features on your property. Do you have a romantic rooftop infinity pool, or perhaps a relaxing hot tub? Maybe your hotel has a spa adjacent to the pool, inviting guests to unwind during their stay. During a hotel photo shoot, a good photographer will capture the refreshing and inviting aquatic features of your property.
Dining Area: Does your area include a full-service restaurant? A hotel photographer will know how to highlight the beauty of the space itself, not just the food.
We believe we are the right hotel photographer to highlight all the little details that set your luxury hotel apart from the competition.
3- The Team
When creating a visual journey of a hotel or resort, one of the most crucial aspects is the team.
As potential guests seek out a luxury hotel, they are looking for a team that is present, professional, and accommodating.
A good hotel photographer will capture the following elements when taking captivating images of the team:
Service - An experienced hotel photographer will look for scenes of staff in action. They will frame a photo with a porter skillfully handling a guest's vehicle, or a concierge assisting a couple in deciding where to dine. Whether the team member works at the front desk or in housekeeping, a qualified photographer will highlight the high quality of their service.
Emotion - When photographing the hospitality team, an experienced hotel photographer will capture the positive emotion behind the scenes and interactions. Make sure the team appears smiling, happy, and at ease in the photos - inexperienced photographers may inadvertently convey feelings of stress through unnatural poses or movements.
Professionalism - The team at a luxury resort provides the highest level of service with utmost professionalism. A good hotel photographer will emphasize the professionalism of the team through composition - neat uniforms, efficient work, and friendly expressions will show potential guests that they will be in good hands during their stay.
The best hotel photographers will capture images of the team that are positive and professional, drawing attention to the many services that your luxury hotel offers.
4 - The Story
Every exceptional photograph tells a story. A good hotel photograph is visually appealing and draws guests into a narrative. The photos of your hotel should communicate the essential elements of your brand message, such as elegance, sophistication, luxury, or glamour.
When a guest looks at an image of a resort, they try to imagine themselves within the scene. To encourage them to enter the story of your photos, a hotel photographer will convey some of the following aspects in each image:
Ambiance - Every luxury hotel has a unique ambiance. Much of this harks back to the brand - what message do you want to convey? Do you want to highlight the urban elegance of a city center hotel, or perhaps the vintage glamour of a historic resort? Is your location exciting or relaxing? To create images with a story, a hotel photographer will draw photographs that incorporate the ambiance of your brand, engaging viewers in your hotel's experience.
Attraction - The goal of a hotel photographer is to highlight the beautiful details and unique atmosphere that distinguish your property. An engaging and attractive hotel photograph will create desire in the viewer. In photographs that evoke emotion, viewers will try to imagine themselves within the scene. The aim of excellent hospitality photography is to generate an emotional response, engaging the viewer in the photo and the story surrounding it.
When capturing the nuances of a hotel or resort, a skilled photographer will take photos with and without models. While models are helpful for generating emotion and creating a story, viewers also want to see the space without distractions. When potential guests view your photographs, they desire a clear view of the various amenities you provide.
Work with a Professional Hospitality Photographer
Luxury hotel photography offers your brand the opportunity to highlight the unique qualities of your property. However, excellent hospitality photography must be impactful and engaging — post-production and editing cannot turn a dull photo into exceptional. To truly capture the appeal and story of a luxury hotel, it's necessary to work with a professional.
Sergio Morais has a proven track record collaborating with major hotel groups, and his experience has uniquely qualified him to photograph luxury hospitality. Sergio Morais specializes in conveying the authenticity of a hotel and its luxury image. To properly capture a hotel's story, a good photographer will work closely with the client to understand their vision. Sergio Morais's team is willing to do what it takes to capture the essence of luxury behind your hotel brand.
Take the first step in capturing the story of your hotel.
Contact Sergio Morais and discuss your project today
Thank you!
