Hotel Photography Shoot List: Essential Guide for Hotel Marketing Managers
We have created a short guideline and checklist to help you prepare for your next hotel photography production no matter where you are, Germany, Sweden, Denmark or Las Vegas this list covers end to end the main essential shoots.
Preparation is key to perfection, and at Allure Captures, we’ve had the pleasure of partnering with many of the world’s leading hotels and resorts. We look forward to sharing our knowledge and expertise with you.
Defining Project Scope
Before starting any project, we recommend having a phone call or Zoom meeting for a production meeting. In this meeting, we will explore your needs to better understand the timeline, the number of photos, and the spaces that need to be photographed. Are there any time limitations? Are different spaces available at different times of the day? These are just a few of the many questions that need to be discussed.
Within 15 minutes, we can better understand the project scope and advise on the best way to plan for the photoshoot. We’ll offer ideas on logistical management and provide additional information to answer any outstanding questions.
For our agency partners, we offer full commercial production and project management services, including talent (models and actors), hair, makeup, styling, F&B, contracting, permits, and project management.
Planning
After understanding the project scope, it’s time to discuss dates, times, operational needs, and requirements. We can advise on best practices for managing each type of photoshoot—from hotel interior and exterior to lifestyle production—aiming to minimize guest interruptions.
It’s also essential to communicate with your operational in-house colleagues about preparing the property for the production day. This will give your team enough time to meet your company’s standards.
Scouting
We start the day by scouting all the locations involved in the project, ensuring everything is prepared for the photoshoot. We’ll make sure all spaces are accessible, organized according to your requirements, and allow extra time if needed for specific areas that aren’t quite ready.
Exterior
Capturing the exterior can be complex due to uncontrollable elements like people, traffic, light, and weather. With experience comes various techniques to handle most situations, either during the shoot or in post-production. We create two types of exterior photos: daytime and nighttime.
Daytime
Straightforward shots of the hotel, either head-on or at an angle (or both). We aim for the sun to be at our side to get blue skies and avoid lens flares. If the sun isn’t in the ideal position, we capture daytime visuals earlier or later in the day.
Nighttime
Similar to daytime photos, nighttime shots highlight the architectural elements with room lights shining outward. These images tie into the after-hours part of your guest plans.
Environmental
As part of the exterior, this includes all public areas, pools, gardens, golf courses, or any attractions for your guests. These visuals help guests understand your offerings and set expectations in advance, providing a better guest experience.
Interior
Our goal is to create an experience for guests even in this “pre-arrival” phase of online viewing. A guest experience cannot be conveyed with just 1-2 photos; it’s akin to a 5-second movie trailer—it’s nice but not enough. We recommend a minimum of 3 pictures per regular room, 3-5 for suites and double rooms, and 6-10 for villas and penthouses.
It’s important to capture all types of rooms, including accessible, regular, premium view, and other views, as well as double queen and king rooms. Guests want everything to look exactly like the photos. Don’t forget to remove trash bins, magazines, and TV remotes. Avoid “styling” items like flowers, as you don’t want guests to wonder, “Where are the nice flowers in the images?”
Recommended Photo List for Hotels
Exterior
- 1-2 Daytime shots
- 1-2 Parking or valet services
- 1-3 Main pool area
- 3-5 Lifestyle (cabanas, bars, daybeds, spas)
- 1 Nighttime hero shot
- 2-3 Environmental (city, beach, views, landscape)
Amenities
- 1 Reception
- 1-2 Lobby
- 1-2 Elevator and sitting area
- 1 Concierge store (very important)
- 1-2 Retail stores
- 2-3 Food and beverage outlets
- 2-3 Fitness/gym/spa
- 3-5 Conference center
- 2-4 Chapel/religious space
- 3-5 Venue spaces
Rooms and Suites
- 2-4 Room king
- 2-4 Room queen
- 2-3 Double bed rooms
- 3-5 Suites
- 6-10 Penthouse/villas/luxury suites
Checklist
- Define project scope
- Plan with our team and your team the production day
- Remind everyone one day before to prepare and ensure access to all spaces
- Scout the space together
- Capture daytime and nighttime visuals
- Ensure all types of spaces are photographed (queen/king)
- Have fun