4 Tips for Hiring the Right Hotel and Hospitality Photographer:
Managers of hotels, resorts and restaurants understand the huge responsibility they have to ensure their properties are promoted well. They know that advertising is the lifeblood of their businesses. Hence, they want potential customers to understand exactly what they have to offer. One of the best ways hoteliers and restaurateurs can convey the value of their services is through beautiful, effective hotel and hospitality photography.
Finding the right hotel and hospitality photographer can be easier said than done, but it is crucial.
Not all photographers will fit the bill — you must find “the one.”
Here are four tips for hiring a photographer who will meet your needs and exceed your expectations:
- Seek a photographer who wants your input – The best hotel and hospitality photography is the result of clients and photographers working together. Your being present during a project won’t be off-putting to the right photographer. On the contrary, he or she will want your input. When sending inquiries to professionals, don’t hesitate to ask whether or not you will be welcome to be involved in the photography project. If the answer is “no,” consider moving on to someone who will be a better fit for you.
- Don’t limit yourself to photographers in your area – Some hotel and restaurant owners/managers make the mistake of believing they must choose a photographer in their immediate area. Nothing could be further from the truth. The best photographer for your project may live outside of your state or country, so don’t limit yourself to hospitality photographers near you. Instead, research photographers who are willing to travel and are skilled at evoking emotions with their work.
- Choose a photographer whose work you can feel – Have you ever looked at a photograph and been overcome with emotion or found yourself covered in chills? If so, you know what it means to feel and not merely see a photo. Feelings are what customers of hotels, resorts and restaurants are after. (Isn’t a vacation or special night away all about experiencing something new and feeling wonderful emotions?) When perusing a hotel and hospitality photographer’s online gallery, make sure his or her images touch you on a soul level. That’s a sign the photographer will be good at evoking emotion in your potential customers, which will ultimately draw them to your services.
- Look for photographers with sufficient experience – There is nothing wrong with hiring a rookie photographer. However, this might not be a good move for a hotelier or restaurateur who needs the best possible images taken of his or her property. The truth is that experience matters, especially in photography. While you may have to pay a little more for a seasoned hotel and hospitality photographer, the images will continually pay you back.
It can be advantageous for a hotel photographer to have a foundation in fine art photography. My two decades of experience in fine art and architecture photography have only served to strengthen my skills as a photographer for the hospitality industry. After shooting resorts, hotels and restaurants since 2006, I find my passion for this niche growing. Get in touch with me at Marian Kraus Photography to learn more about my hotel and hospitality photography services.