How to Photograph Hotel Lifestyle Commercial
Shoot
Effective marketing is crucial for attracting potential guests to hotels. One powerful tool in the marketer’s arsenal is high-quality photography. Captivating visuals can convey the unique features and ambiance of a hotel, enticing travelers to choose it as their destination. However, producing a hotel commercial requires careful planning and execution.
Pre-Production Planning
The first step in any photography production is thorough pre-production planning. This involves:
- Identifying Goals and Objectives: Understand the target audience and establish a creative vision.
- Highlighting Key Selling Points: Determine the hotel’s unique features to showcase in the photographs.
- Research and Inspiration: Gather ideas from successful hotel campaigns to develop a unique concept.
We offer a complementary session to discuss the timeline, the number and type of pictures needed, and operational and logistical needs. At Allure Captures, a full-production photography agency, we ensure minimal effort from your side to coordinate the production, ensuring mutual success.
Deciding the Number and Type of Pictures Needed
Once the creative vision is established, determine the number and types of pictures required. Consider various aspects of the hotel, such as rooms, amenities, dining areas, spa facilities, and outdoor spaces. Decide on the specific shots for each area and the angles that will best highlight their appeal. Aim for a balanced mix of wide shots, close-ups, and detail shots to create a comprehensive visual story.
On a typical production day, we usually create 4-8 final pictures, depending on the number of sets, production needs, and distance between locations. Each set captures a few dozen pictures, but our goal is to create the perfect image based on our objectives.
Choosing Talents
The right talent can significantly enhance the visual impact of the hotel commercial. Depending on the concept and target audience, consider hiring professional models or actors to portray guests enjoying the hotel’s amenities. Select talents who align with the desired brand image and convincingly convey the desired emotions and experiences. Conduct casting sessions and obtain appropriate releases and contracts.
If we handle the entire production or just the photography, we provide clients with several options for models, actors, and talents that fit their budget and marketing demographic. Our project manager manages the cycle from scouting, negotiation, contracting, and more based on production needs.
Production Day: Client Preparation
To ensure a smooth production day, the client must be well-prepared. This involves coordinating with the photography team and making necessary arrangements. Provide photographers with detailed information about the locations to be photographed, including access restrictions, key areas, and potential challenges. Ensure all necessary permissions and permits are obtained in advance, especially for shooting in public areas or nearby attractions.
Think about which people need to be available and which locations must be prepared and accessible for the shoot, as discussed in pre-production meetings.
During the Production Day
On the production day, ensure that all locations are ready and accessible for photography. Collaborate with hotel staff to ensure rooms are clean and well-staged, amenities are fully functional, and public areas are clear of clutter. Pay attention to lighting conditions and make necessary adjustments to create the desired atmosphere. Consider providing food and beverage options that align with the hotel’s brand and complement the visual narrative.

Natural Post-Production (Editing)
Once the production is complete, the final step is the post-production phase, where raw images are edited and enhanced. Work closely with professional photo editors to refine the images, ensuring they meet aesthetic and technical standards. Adjust colors, contrast, and saturation to achieve a consistent look and feel throughout the commercial. Retouch any imperfections to present the hotel in its best light.
We do all our post-production and editing in-house to control the final result and maximize the commercial image potential.
Final Thoughts
Producing a hotel commercial photography campaign involves several crucial steps, from pre-production planning to natural post-production. By carefully planning the shoot, selecting the right talent, and ensuring a well-prepared production day, hotels can capture captivating images that effectively promote their brand and attract potential guests. Each step is essential in creating a visually stunning commercial that showcases the hotel’s unique features and invites guests to experience its offerings firsthand.