PREPARING FOR A HOTEL PHOTO SHOOT
The Importance of A Good Photograph
In todays world, consumers are more engaged by images then paragraphs of descriptive text then ever before. That’s why spending the time and resources to ensure that you have thoughtful, well-curated photos of your hotel is worth the extra effort. To make sure the photo shoot is a success, here are some tips on how to best prepare your hotel.
It starts before it begins
Board Your Story. Be sure to convey to the photographer the story behind your brand, not just the beautiful spaces you want to photograph. Either have your marketing team or creative agency that you are working with create a mood board. Pull inspiration from other sources and make deliberate notes about why you like these selections, and how you would like it to relate to your story.
Brand Guidelines. Every major brand has in place specific brand guidelines that need to be shared with the photographer and his team to review and adhere to in order for the created images to be used on official mediums such as the website. This is another important deciding point when choosing between photographers. A photography team that is well versed working within the parameters of strict guidelines and still have the ability to flex their creative muscles to produce amazing imagery are few and far between.
Scout Locations. A shoot can take anywhere from a half-day to five days depending on what your hotel hopes to accomplish and the budget allocated. Having a thorough walk-through with both teams can help determine a proper shoot schedule and discuss major preparation points that will need to be addressed prior to the shoot. This photographer will also be able to gauge lighting conditions, angles and actual shot compositions to be built into the storyboard.
Finalize the Shot List. A shotlist cover 2 major points:
It serves as a contract between you and the photographer with clearly laid out deliverables and still counts.
Allows for the team to visualize each setup and setup a consistent storyline across all of the locations.
Diversify your requested shots with a mix of architectural, lifestyle, human element, and detail shots.
Have a backup plan. It’s a photoshoot. What does that mean? You never know what’s going to happen and nothing will happen the way you you expect it to. It’s a part of the experience. Try to enjoy it.
cast your crew
Depending on the hotel’s budget, you may want to consider hiring additional help for the shoot. You can hire them on your own or arrange for the photographer to source these individuals (recommended).
Models: There is a balancing act when it comes to who to use for your models. A lot of money can be saved by using staff members or friends, but these individuals may not know how to present themselves in front of a camera or work with a team to produce specific looks. When hiring professional models, you are in control of the look and gain the confidence that your model(s) will have the know-how to produce exactly what looks you are striving for. The cost for models range widely on the level of experience of the model, with day rates ranging from $300 to $2,500.
Project Manager: Otherwise known as a producer, this person is responsible for making sure the shoot happens. They handle all of the logistics allowing the creatives to focus on creation. He/she would handle things such as pre-production communication, casting, contracts, consent forms, etc.
Stylist(s): The type of stylist to consider would be dependent upon the size and scope of the project. For a full blown lifestyle shoot, I would recommend having a stylist for set or prop design, a wardrobe and hair and makeup. Having the right crew members on set allows for each person to focus on and achieve the best results for the specific task that they are there to do.