Tips to Help You Choose a Hotel Photographer

Many people rely on hotel photos when choosing where to stay. Having powerful hotel photos can help you to attract more guests and increase your revenue.

Finding the right hotel photographer requires careful consideration. To make your search easier, follow these tips to help you choose the best photographer for your needs.

Look at Their Portfolio

A hotel photographer’s portfolio is one of the most important factors to consider when choosing a photographer for your hotel. You want to choose a photographer who has a good track record and can provide examples of their work that will match the style and quality you’re looking for.

When reviewing a photographer’s portfolio, take note of their use of lighting, composition, and colors. Also, look for photos of interior and exterior spaces, as well as lifestyle images.

If a photographer is not able to create images that showcase the full range of your hotel’s amenities, you may need to find another photographer. You can also ask a photographer for references from past clients to get a better idea of their work and professionalism. Additionally, a photographer should be able to give you an accurate estimate of the total cost of your photo shoot. This will help you avoid any surprise charges or fees at the end of the project.

Check Their Reputation

A quality hotel photographer should have an excellent reputation. Ask for references from other hotels that they have worked with and follow up to get an unbiased opinion about their professionalism and work quality.

An alluring photograph is a powerful marketing tool for your hotel, but it requires more than just skill and practice to create. Unlike interior or real estate photography, hotel photographs must evoke an emotional response from the viewer to make them want to book their stay at your hotel.

To accomplish this, your hotel photographer needs to understand your hotel and its marketing goals. This includes understanding detailed personas or sales demographics, as well as knowing what types of images will attract each type of guest to your hotel. This information can help the photographer select the right models, style their hair and makeup and create a mood board to nail down the look that you are going for before your photoshoot.

Check Their Pricing

Like any other asset in your hotel, your images have a shelf life. If your hotel photos look outdated it's time for a new photoshoot.

When you have a bank of great hotel photography you can use it to attract and persuade more guests to stay at your property. You can use the images for all your marketing channels including social media, search listings, OTA's and of course your website.

It's important to discuss up front with the photographer how they structure their pricing. Typically photographers will either charge by the room or by shoot set-up. The latter option makes sense as it allows for a more flexible schedule and can save you money when compared to the 'by the room' option.

It's also worth discussing the photographer's turnaround time. If the shoot takes longer than expected, this could impact when your final images will be delivered. Having this conversation up front will help avoid any surprises down the road.

Ask for References

Hotel photography plays a huge role in hotel marketing. It can capture the interest of potential guests or turn them away. To ensure you get the best results, it’s important to choose a photographer with experience in hotel photography. A good way to gauge a photographer’s skills is by asking for references. Asking for references can give you an unbiased opinion of the photographer’s work and professionalism.

A good hotel photographer should have a detailed process for shooting hotels. They should be able to create a shot list for each space and work around any events taking place on the day of the shoot. They should also be able to accommodate any special requests that you may have.

It is also a good idea to discuss the photographer’s pricing ahead of time. This will help you determine whether they are a good fit for your hotel’s budget. You will want to avoid hiring a photographer who is overpriced.