One of the most frequently asked questions is how to earn a living from hotel photography. How can you turn a collaboration into a paid gig? How can you stay at your dream hotel and get paid in the process? Below, I share an introduction to making money while working with hotels and how to provide the most value when reaching out for your first paid commission. This advice is also applicable to many other creative fields and photography jobs, so I hope you find it useful!
Why Hotels?
After 5 years in architectural photography, I wanted to evolve my creative career and take our photography and my business knowledge in hospitality to the travel and lodging industry. we soon realized that my interests in travel and architecture perfectly aligned with hotel photography. Over the next few years, I sought out unique design hotels, turning this passion into a significant source of income.
Since those early days, I’ve built a client portfolio that includes photographing hotels and resorts for prestigious brands such as Hilton, MGM resorts, Renaissance and hotel designers. .
What is Hotel Photography?
Hotel photography is all about capturing the essence and ambiance of hotels, resorts, and other hospitality establishments. the focus is not about “amazing pictures” it’s about pictures that sells. don’t forget that there is a huge competition for your client, this include similar hotels in size, design, and price point, higher, lower, the same they are all around waiting for their next guest. Here are the main types of hotel photography projects you can expect:
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Your Personal Trip
The best place to start building a hotel photography portfolio is during your personal trips this can be with friends, family or even your business trip. Bring your camera on your next vacation and take as many high-quality shots as possible. Don’t hesitate to ask for a room upgrade or to see different room types for more diverse images.
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Your Complementary Stay
The next step is the comp (or complimentary) stay—commonly known as a collaboration or barter stay. Here, you trade your images for nights at a hotel. This arrangement allows you to gain more access than a regular guest and provide value to the hotel. Most barters last between 1-3 nights, depending on the hotel’s needs.
Pro tip: When offering your images in exchange for a hotel stay, clearly define how the images can be used. For instance, I only allow brands to use the images on social media. Any additional usage requires a fee. also if you are just starting your career, don’t start negotiating to much, the hotels are not really excited bout barters, if you start putting to much constrains, look on this as an opportunity to use their name, put the pictures on your portfolio and also getting experience.
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Your Commission work
Everyone wants to get paid for their work, and rightly so! Commissioned projects come with specific constraints and briefs to follow. These projects often involve significant time and effort behind the scenes, ensuring certain experiences or services are perfectly set up. You’ll likely have a brand representative with you during your stay. Despite the constraints, commissioned work provides complete access, which is when I produce my best work.
Over time, you should progress from personal trips to comp stays and finally to commissioned projects.
How to Get Your First Hotel Photography Client
Now that you understand the types of photoshoots, here are some tried-and-true methods to land your first paid project:
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Provide Value
Understand why you want to work with a particular brand and why they should choose you. Finding hotels within your niche—whether it’s eco-resorts, city, remote, modern, or traditional properties—will enhance your chances of success.
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Build Your Portfolio
You don’t need commissioned work or a massive Instagram following to build a portfolio. Use your camera on personal trips, pay for local hotel stays, and request upgrades when possible. Investing in yourself pays off.
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Have a Media Kit
When pitching, a well-crafted, personalized PDF is invaluable. Create a media kit using free tools like Canva or Keynote. Your media kit should include a short introduction, 10-15 pages of your best work, and references to published work, articles, and previous clients. Think of it as a creative CV, highlighting only your finest work.
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Beware of Working for Free
While complimentary stays are great for gaining experience, be cautious of situations where free stays come with demanding shot lists and deliverables. Clear communication beforehand is essential to ensure mutual understanding of how and where the images can be used. also working for free does not free you from been insured or been liable for damages or injuries.
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Be Professional
A personalized introduction to a specific person is more effective than a generic DM. Use websites like LinkedIn or other professional lead generation website to find names and job titles. Typically, you’re looking for someone in the marketing or PR department. also call people, go out, don’t just email marketing mangers who get hundreds of emails per month.
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Be Knowledgeable
Show your passion for the brand, design, or location when reaching out to potential clients. Pay compliments, display work related to their brand, or demonstrate your expertise in a particular destination.
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Pitch Yourself
New photographers often mistakenly think clients will come to them. Initially, you need to get your name out there and approach potential clients directly. Rejections and no replies are part of the process, but persistence pays off. also don’t forget that marketing managers are busy and getting approached daily, you have to push yourself join networking events and get out there.
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Negotiate
Remember the value of your work. Don’t hesitate to ask for a full package, including additional fees, licensing, off-site experiences, meals.
Salary Expectations for Hotel Photographers
The salary for hotel photographers can vary widely based on factors such as experience, location, and the volume of work. Here’s a detailed overview:
- Studio Rate: Hotel photographers working with a studio can typically earn between €4,000 to €6,000 per month. This is a stable option for those looking to gain consistent work and experience.
- Daily Rate: For freelance hotel photographers, the daily rate usually ranges from €2,000 to €5,000. This rate can vary based on the complexity and duration of the project.
- Per Project: A complete hotel photography project can range from €10,000 to €50,000, depending on the project’s scope. Larger projects with more detailed requirements tend to fall on the higher end of this range.
- Yearly Salary: For those who work consistently throughout the year, annual earnings can range from €150,000 to €300,000. The exact figure depends on the volume of work, the photographer’s reputation, and their ability to secure high-paying projects.
These figures are averages, and actual earnings may differ. Factors such as the photographer’s experience, portfolio quality, and market conditions can influence these rates.
I hope you found this guide helpful! As with any resource, this is based on personal experience, and each situation may vary slightly. if you found this guide helpful please share it with the community.