Helpful Checklists: Preparing for Resort photo shoot – Part 1

Showcasing your resort with breathtaking images

Good photography – in the digital era, when your resort is on sale 24/7 across the globe, it’s a crucial sales tool.  Are your images working as hard for you as they should? Showcasing your resort with breathtaking images is key. Here are our tips on preparing your property for a photo shoot.

1. Capture your property when it’s looking its best

Right after a refurbishment is a great time to photograph your property. New fit-outs, the latest in room tech, upgraded bathrooms – these are all good times to book a photo shoot.

Photographing conference and wedding venues? Look to shoot around an event that is already booked. Capture table settings, lighting and food. Don’t forget views. Architectural details. The scale of your spaces.

2. Write a list of your brand assets

The art of showcasing your resort with breathtaking images relies heavily on you knowing the very best parts of you property. List them and then do a site inspection of your own property to see if you missed any. Come up with a ran sheet for the shoot. Consider private beaches, gardens escapes, spectacular views. You might even consider views from above your property that cab be taken using new technologies such as these.

3. Create your shoot schedule

It’s a good idea to ask your photographer how long it will take to shoot the different parts of your list. It may take longer than you realise to get a space ready for resort photography, especially if lighting set-ups are required.

Then, write a full schedule for your shoot. Your schedule should including timings, shoot locations and any props such as fresh flowers for rooms or other props. Essentially, you’re making a list of anything that needs to be done to prepare the space in advance.

4. Prepare your Teams

Your shoot is booked and organised. Next, brief your teams, Everyone should know when and where the shoot will be happening. The schedule should be distributed to all and sundry in order that:

• maintenance know which areas to groom, clean, sweep and polish
• housekeeping know which rooms to prepare
• extra staff are available to de-clutter and make your property as beautiful as possible
• any staff that will appear in the shoot are prepared

5. Using Talent

Most staff will be happy to be involved in photography. Just remember to ensure they are aware that their image will be used in marketing material. Getting them to sign a release form can be wise.

Booking professional talent through modelling agencies can be expensive. However the benefit is that they are professional. They know what they’re doing, they are comfortable in front of the camera, and work well to direction. Read more about casting talent in a photo shoot in this post.

Good luck!

Good luck and enjoy your planning. Photo shoots are hard work. They require careful planning. One the day, time management and attention to detail are crucial. But the results can be inspiring, beautiful, highly valuable and marketable.

Showcasing you resort with breathtaking images may also mean that you see your property grace the cover of magazines, and feature in online reviews and articles. At the very least, your new images will bring your business to life and carry your product to millions of potential guests booking online from all over the world. The result will be worth all of your hard efforts!

Imagery by Mauro Risch, The Hotel Photographer

Over the last decade, Mauro Risch has become known simply as The Hotel Photographer. He is trusted by PR and marketing teams, hotel managers and executive brand teams right across the Asia Pacific region. Mauro is the preferred photographer for some of the top operators across the industry, including Intercontinental, Carlson Rezidor, Marriott and Wyndham.