before the photoproduction
would be the second-best
thing that can ensure image
satisfaction.
10. Make it a priority to
remove the old images
from your site and any
online booking sites. As
much as perception is
elevated when a potential
customer sees a shining
new photo of a room,
that same perception can
change when the same
person sees an old picture
of a space shot from a
wrong angle or one that
includes outdated furniture
the appropriate coverage. I like to
think of insurance as a good filter.
In many cases, it helps separate
the amateurs from the pros.
More prominent brands make it
mandatory for vendors to hold at
least two million dollars (or pounds)
of liability insurance.
6. Be extremely careful with drones.
Drones have opened up endless
possibilities regarding what a
professional can achieve with
aerial photography. However, a
hotelier needs to be aware of the
liability issues that exist regarding
the use of drones. The FAA
now requires commercial drone
operators (anybody who flies a
drone in exchange for money) to
be fully licensed. There are areas
where one can and cannot operate
a drone because of interference
with air traffic control. Las Vegas
is an excellent example of a place
where flying a drone is impossible
due to the frequent helicopter tours
close to the strip. You can only
imagine the size of the lawsuit that
will fall on a hotel if a photographer
was not aware of the appropriate
usage of a drone. An FAA license
is also a proper filter to assist in
differentiating the amateurs from
pros.
18 ILHA
7. Allow photographers to include
valuable team members such as a
stylist and assistants. At first, the
use of a stylist could sound like
an unnecessary expense, but the
reality is that styling is the most
time-consuming aspect of Luxury
hotel photography. Having more
people involved in production can
mean that more photographs can be
taken on a daily basis reducing the
overall cost. Moreover, additional
artistic eyes on the set will always
lead to better images. Not to
mention cutting production time
will minimize disruption to guests.
8. Don’t waste time preparing a
photography schedule on your
own. A professional photographer
will have the skill and expertise
to determine the best time to
photograph an area. My advice is
to meet a day before, right after
scouting, to establish a common
ground that will work for everybody.
9. Be an active participant in the
project. Be involved in the project.
The chances of being extremely
satisfied with the images will
skyrocket if you are involved. If the
hotel is short staffed or there is any
reason that you will be unavailable
during the shoot, arranging a
scouting da y for the photographer
If you want to hire a
professional photographer
to effectively capture your
property and showcase
it to its best advantage, then it can
be effortless to ascertain who is the
best for you. Remember to hire
someone who has experience working
with a similar style property as yours.
Remember to ask the big questions
about liability insurance and drone
licensing. Finally, ask to see a history
of their work – if they can provide
all these things that you ask for then
you are very close to hiring the right
photographer.
About the author
Antonio Cuellar is an award-
winning commercial photographer
that focuses exclusively on Luxury
Hotels and Resorts. His passion for
his craft has earned him multiple
photography awards including being
selected by American Society of Media
Photographers as one of the top 20
photographers of 2013. In recognition
of his achievements, Antonio is invited
to contribute as a Hotel judge for LTG, a
publication that showcases the newest
and most stylish hotels around the
globe. For more info visit
https://antoniocuellarphotography.com