The smallest details make the biggest difference in spectacular hotel/resort photography. Before each photo shoot, I meet with the management team and we visit each space and inspect for areas that may need improvement. This is a complimentary service I provide to all my clients because it allows us to be more efficient and create better images. You look good, I look good!
In my experience, if a potential guest sees a few blemishes, it undermines their confidence that the property is clean and well-maintained. They may or may not consciously identify what is “not right” but negatives are registered in their minds. Typically, the potential guest will compare images from hotel comps in the same general area. The hotel with the most perfect images usually wins out the majority of the time. My goal is to eliminate objections or concerns and assure your images are better than other comps..
Also, the hotel staff and sales team will be looking at these images for years; after a while, they’ll begin to focus on all the negatives of an image; thus undermining their confidence in their product. Perhaps the tips below seem elementary and common knowledge; however, in prepping for a photo shoot, there are so many things to address that sometimes the little details go unnoticed.
Here are a few useful and easy remedies for flawless hotel room photography.
- Bed Skirts: Wrinkle-free and straight. Often a bed skirt will be higher off the floor on one end versus the other end. Make sure they’re level and equal distance from the floor. Also, in Double rooms, make sure the bed skirts match on both beds.
- Bed Linens: Beds are often the first thing a potential guest will see. Make sure all linens including pillowcases are steamed and ironed. Even the smallest wrinkles show up in the final image.
- Beds and Duvets: Make sure the bed is tucked properly – and is consistent across all room categories. especially near the head of the bed. If using new linens, be sure that they are washed and ironed prior to placing on the bed to assure there are no creases from the fold.
- Lamps: Make sure all lamps have the same color bulbs and the same wattage. As bulbs age, the color often changes – some become more yellow or grey. It is best to place new bulbs in each light fixture prior to shooting. Also, make sure that each lamp shade is completely straight and level. The lampshade seam should be rotated toward the wall.
- Curtains: Steam curtains to reduce wrinkles and pleats. Also, it is best that both curtains are equal in width from the walls. Take a look at each curtain and make sure the pleats fall evenly too. Shears should be closed unless the image being taken is a room view.
- Outdoor Furniture and Balconies: Replace any old tattered chairs/end tables with newer ones. Likewise, clean the railings. Dirt, bird droppings, etc. are very noticeable in photographs.
- Windows and Mirrors: Thoroughly clean both inside and out. In the humidity, it is best that the balcony sliding door remain slightly open to reduce condensation.
- Marketing Collateral: Unless mandatory, remove marketing collateral from the room. Properties often update collateral and old material will date the images and often require image replacement.
- Bathrooms: Towels hanging from racks should be of equal length and plushness. Likewise, any rolled or folded towels should be new and plush. Don’t mix old and new towels. If using rolled towels, they should be rolled in the same direction with the fold turned toward camera. Remove hair dryer and trash can. It may be necessary to remove the bathroom door if, when open, the door obscures or blocks the tub/shower in the reflection of the mirror.
