Best Hotel Photography Styles to Create Stunning Visuals
Michael • February 28, 2023 • 5 min read
Michael • February 28, 2023 • 5 min read
As the old saying goes, “a picture is worth a thousand words,” and in the hospitality industry, this couldn’t be truer. Hotel photography is essential for a hotel’s success, as it is the first impression a guest has of the property.
It can make or break a hotel’s online presence, and as such, hoteliers need to pay close attention to the type of photography they use.
This article aims to provide a comprehensive guide on hotel photography styles, how to choose the right style for your hotel, and tips for great hotel photography.
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There are different styles of hotel photography, and each has its own unique qualities. Below are some of the most popular styles:
This style of hotel photography is the most common, and it aims to showcase the hotel’s features in a straightforward, clean, and bright way. Traditional hotel photography typically features shots of the hotel’s exterior, rooms, and amenities such as the pool, gym, and restaurants. These photos are taken from a high angle, giving the viewer a bird’s eye view of the property.
This style of hotel photography showcases the guest experience and aims to tell a story. Lifestyle photography captures the guests’ emotions, interactions, and activities, highlighting the hotel’s unique features and amenities. These photos are taken in a candid and relaxed way, creating a sense of authenticity.
This style of hotel photography emphasizes the hotel’s design and structure, showcasing the architecture and the interior design. Architectural photography is taken from a variety of angles and often includes close-up shots of the building’s unique features.
This style of hotel photography is the most creative and experimental, using artistic techniques to showcase the hotel’s features. Artistic photography plays with light, shadows, and colors to create a unique and memorable visual experience.
Do you like to dive deeper into the types of hospitality photography? Read our guide about the different types of hotel photography here.
New to Hotel Photography? Tips to Master Hotel Photography
Choosing the right style of hotel photography depends on several factors, including the hotel’s branding, target audience, and the message you want to convey. Before choosing a style, you need to consider the following factors:
Your hotel’s branding should guide your photography choices. If you have a luxury hotel, you should opt for traditional or architectural photography to showcase the elegance and sophistication of the property. On the other hand, if you have a boutique hotel, lifestyle photography would be a better fit.
Your target audience plays a crucial role in determining the type of photography you use. For example, if your target audience is families, you should opt for lifestyle photography that showcases the hotel’s family-friendly amenities.
The message you want to convey through your hotel photography should also guide your style choices. If you want to emphasize the hotel’s modern design, you should opt for architectural photography. If you want to highlight the hotel’s unique features, lifestyle photography would be a better fit.
Once you’ve chosen the right style for your hotel, it’s essential to ensure that your photos are of high quality. Here are some tips to ensure that you get great hotel photography:
Looking for more detailed information on tips and ideas? Our guide Hotel Photography Ideas covers everything you need to know.
There are many hotels with excellent photography that stands out in the crowded hospitality industry. Below are some examples of hotels with great photography, and what sets them apart:
The Parker Hotel in Palm Springs is a great example of a hotel that uses lifestyle photography to create an emotional connection with its guests. The hotel’s photos showcase the unique experience of staying at the property, from lounging by the pool to enjoying the hotel’s retro-chic interiors.
The Beverly Hills Hotel is an example of a hotel that uses traditional photography to showcase its timeless elegance and sophistication. The hotel’s photos feature shots of the hotel’s exterior, interior, and amenities, highlighting its glamorous Hollywood history.
The Ace Hotel in New York is an example of a hotel that uses artistic photography to create a unique and memorable visual experience. The hotel’s photos feature experimental and creative shots that play with light, shadows, and color, creating a sense of creativity and playfulness.
There are common mistakes that hoteliers make when it comes to hotel photography. Below are some examples:
If you want to dive deeper into photography mistakes, you can read our article how to avoid mistakes in hotel photography here..
When it comes to hotel photography, there are pros and cons to hiring a professional photographer versus doing it yourself. Below are some examples:
Hiring a professional photographer ensures that you get high-quality photos that are well-composed, well-lit, and showcase the hotel’s best features. However, it can be expensive, and you may have to coordinate with the photographer to ensure that they capture the right shots. Get a insider view on pricing for hotel photography here.
DIY photography is a cost-effective option that allows you to have more control over the photos you take. However, it requires knowledge of photography techniques and equipment, and may not produce the same quality of photos as a professional photographer.
Well, let me tell you, the right photography style can make all the difference in how a hotel is perceived by potential guests. Choosing the right style that aligns with your branding and target audience can create an emotional connection that leads to bookings and repeat visits.
Hotels can use photography in creative ways to showcase their unique features, from lifestyle photography that captures the experience of staying at the property to artistic photography that plays with light, shadows, and color to create a unique visual experience.
Avoiding common mistakes in hotel photography requires attention to detail, such as using natural light whenever possible, investing in the right lighting equipment, and ensuring that the scene is decluttered and well-staged. For more information on a well prepared hotel room, check out our in-depth guide on Hotel room photo shoot.
It really depends on the hotel’s budget and level of expertise. Hiring a professional photographer can ensure high-quality photos that showcase the hotel’s best features, but it can be expensive. DIY photography is a cost-effective option, but it requires knowledge of photography techniques and equipment.
Hotels can use photography to stand out in a crowded hospitality industry by choosing a photography style that aligns with their branding and target audience, showcasing their unique features, and avoiding common mistakes such as poor lighting or cluttered scenes.
By creating high-quality hotel photography, hotels can set themselves apart and attract more guests. Read also our article what is hotel photography here.
In conclusion, hotel photography is essential for a hotel’s success, and choosing the right style of photography is crucial for creating the right first impression.
By considering the hotel’s branding, target audience, and message, you can choose the right style of photography to showcase the hotel’s unique features and amenities.
By following the tips and examples outlined in this article, you can create high-quality hotel photography that sets your property apart in a crowded industry
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