The world of hospitality photography is vast and growing. Good hospitality photographers are not just people with cameras. They’re experts in their craft that can capture the essence of hospitality through their lens. A good hospitality photographer will understand how important it is for businesses to show their guests that they will feel at home, appreciated, and cared for when they visit a hotel or other type of hospitality business.
A good hospitality photographer will be able to use their skills to show off the unique aspects of each hotel or business they work with. They will be able to highlight the special features that make each property stand out from the rest. In addition, a good hospitality photographer will be able to capture the emotions and experiences of guests during their stay.
Capturing these moments is essential in order to create marketing materials that accurately reflect the guest experience and encourage potential guests to book a stay. Good hospitality photographers have an eye for detail and can often anticipate what guests will want to see in their photographs.
What separates a good hospitality photographer from a great one
So what sets a great hospitality photographer apart from a good one? What makes them worth the extra investment?
Well, lets start with the absolute basics of a good photographer. They should be able to:
- Take high-quality images that accurately display your food & drink, team members, room quality, ambience & atmosphere
- Make them available to you on time, within budget and up-to-spec
- Be professional, courteous & friendly with you & your team
- Finally, they should have no trouble shooting on location at your business
What separates the good from the great though, are the little touches that will improve your marketing, ROI, day of shoot and after-care.
Great hospitality photographers have several key qualities that set them apart from the rest. They have an eye for detail, they are able to anticipate what guests will want to see in their photographs, and they have the skills necessary to capture the emotions and experiences of guests during their stay.
They should sit down with you and the marketing team and discuss what your marketing strategies are, how their images will fit into those strategies. how new images will achieve what previous images haven’t and what your ideal target audience is, both in general and with these images/video.
After all – there’s a reason you’re getting new images! If the photographer understands why you need them, they can do a much better job of arranging them to your needs!
Finally, the thing that makes a great photographer: They have a sense of collaboration. Far too often, a photographer goes onto a shoot and directs other people on what they believe to be best. A truly great photographer will understand that as the business owner or marketing manager, you have the final say in what goes out to the public and if you’re not happy with their results, you won’t use their images or hire them again.
A great photographer will take your suggestions on board, work with you to get the best shots possible and make sure you’re happy with the end result! Not only that – they’ll also be available for any follow up questions you have or to make any changes you request (within reason, of course).
Hospitality photography is an essential component of marketing your business. A great photographer will understand your needs and work with you to get the best results possible. If you’re looking for a new photographer, make sure to keep these qualities in mind!
How best to use new hospitality photography in your marketing
We’re now in an age where image and video have the biggest draw of attention than anything else. We’re now exposed to somewhere around 4-10k image ads a day according to Forbes. This means any images you get taken will have to stand out from the thousands of others a person see every single day! You’ll also have to use these images effectively to portray your brand and message without coming across as vain!
First of all, you’ll want to make sure that you have a good portfolio of photos and videos. This should include both interior and exterior shots of your hotel or resort, as well as images of the staff in action. You can also showcase food and drink menus, as well as special events that you’ve hosted.
Once you have a good selection of photos, it’s time to start thinking about how you’ll use them. One of the most effective ways to use hospitality photography is in email marketing campaigns. You can use images to highlight special offers or deals, as well as showcasing your hotel or resort.
You can also use them on social media, such as Instagram or Pinterest, either as an “always-on” campaign, or to highlight specific campaigns or areas of your business. You can also use them online in blog posts, on your website and your local listings, as well as offline in publications, posters and print.
Another thing to make sure is that for SEO purposes, your photos all have alt-text and Exif data that supports your marketing strategy, whether that’s specific keywords, brand name mentions or something else.
Finally, it’s important to think of your target audience for each marketing purpose. Demographics change between Facebook & TikTok, industry periodicals & GQ. Use your new selection of images carefully between each target audience, showing off the values you believe resonates most with them. Perhaps something quality and high-end for higher income viewers, something energetic and bright for younger consumers? This should all be available to see as a part of your overall marketing and branding strategy.
If you’re not sure where to start, why not speak to a hospitality photographer? They’ll be able to give you some advice on what you can expect from their images and the range of photographs and video they can give you! I’m always available to talk to businesses that need help with this, so head over to my contact page if you’d like to get in touch!
If you’re looking for new photography or video, make sure to keep these qualities in mind! You’ll be glad you did when you see the amazing results from your photographer as well as your marketing. After all, I’d like to believe that every time you put money into your marketing, it pays off with a good ROI!
