Guests look at photos before they read a single word about your property. Good photos will not save a bad product, but bad photos can easily hide a great one. This is the brief we give photographers when one of our properties needs a new set for the OTAs, the website and mobile.
The Goal
Clean, bright, realistic images that show exactly what the guest can expect, help them understand the space and layout quickly, and form one consistent set that converts.
What to Shoot
You need full coverage of the property, not only the nice parts.
Rooms
Photograph every room type separately, with 6-10 images per category: the bed and sleeping area, the living or sitting area, the bathroom, the desk or workspace, the balcony, terrace or view, and the kitchen or any special feature.
Common Areas and Amenities
Reception, lobby, lounge and co-working spaces. The pool, terrace, gym or spa if you have them. The breakfast area and the food offer, the restaurant and the bar, ideally with a breakfast, lunch or dinner setup.
Exterior and Details
The entrance and facade, the view on arrival, and parking, garage or EV chargers if you have them. Then the details: decor, textures and the design touches that make the place yours.
Aim for 6-10 final images per room type and another 15-20 for the rest of the property.
How to Shoot It
- Landscape (horizontal) format for most images
- Shoot from the corners to create depth
- Keep vertical lines straight
- A neutral, eye-level perspective
- No extreme wide angles or distortion
- Natural light wherever possible
Preparing the Rooms
- Curtains open and tied back, lights on where they help
- Beds perfectly made, pillows centred, covers tucked in
- Surfaces clean and uncluttered
- Bathrooms spotless: clean mirrors, toilet lid closed, nothing lying around
- Cables, bins and personal items out of sight
- Windows and glass fully cleaned
A little staging helps, such as towels, a glass of wine or a set table. Keep it realistic, though. Photos that oversell lead to disappointed guests and weaker reviews.
Technical Requirements
- JPEG or RAW files
- At least 3000 px wide
- Natural colours: no filters, no heavy HDR
- No watermarks, text or overlays
Notes for the Photographer and the Property
For the photographer: plan the shoot around the best daylight, shoot the key rooms while the light is at its best, and keep angles, height and framing consistent across room types. Clarity beats artistic experiments. A few subtle lifestyle shots, such as check-in, breakfast or the lounge in use, stop the place from feeling empty.
For the property: prepare every room and space in advance, use fresh, ironed linen, set up the amenities and pick a day with good weather. Treat it as a long-term investment, because these photos will be online for five years or more.
The Final Rule
Make the property look its best without misrepresenting it. If a guest arrives and the place looks exactly like the photos, you did it right.
Photos are one part of how guests find and choose you. For the rest, see Increase Hotel Revenue in 5 Steps.