Inn Photographers are Special...Top 5 Reasons Why

Hello, folks! We have another large post, here. Having recently returned from the Paii Conference in Charleston with my many conversations with prospective clients whirring around in my head, I wanted to take a bit of time to address a big question: What makes the Inn Photographer so special?

I have encountered more than a few innkeepers who can happily answer the aforementioned question; however, I have also run into some who are still curious. Especially during this day-in-age when digital SLR cameras are becoming more user-friendly and readily available, some innkeepers wonder whether they ought to take a crack at their own photography. Meanwhile, we've talked to quite a few innkeepers who have hired non-industry professional photographers and are still unhappy with the results. While we know what sets inn photographers apart from the others, it's also easy to assume that everyone else knows, too. However, for the sake of this post, let's assume otherwise.

So, when you decide it's time to build your inn photography portfolio or add to it, here's why we recommend you turn to the industry professional:

1) Equipment is essential -- Sometimes, a great photograph just happens. You are walking along a beach at sunset, camera in hand, and suddenly, a wave crashes, a gull dips down to the water's edge, and the clouds start to glow with the perfect sweet light of dusk. Voila! You take the shot. Why can't it always be that easy?

Perfect lighting and composition don't always "happen", thus, they must be simulated.  We've spent years and thousands of dollars arming ourselves with state-of-the-art equipment that helps us create effective photography. We never leave home without our lighting equipment, (both strobe and tungsten continuous lighting), gels for the lights, radios for simultaneous flash, heavy-duty tripods, levels, low-wattage replacement lights, strobe & tungsten light modifiers, some props for staging, multiple lenses, a Mac computer and a digital SLR camera. What's even more important: we know how to use them all.

This photo was created with the help of multiple strobes with gels, tungsten lights, a tripod, levels, low-wattage replacement bulbs, camera remote, light remotes, props and Photoshop. (Clarendon Square, Boston, MA)

2) It's all about the lighting -- Yes, a good photograph requires a good subject. A great photograph requires great composition. However, without light, a photograph just isn't. Interior photography is an especially technical subfield, largely attributable to complicated lighting requirements. Interior photographers must know how to use lights, understand how the lights give off color and change color, and know how to use the camera to get all the lights to work properly for the shot. Because interior photographers must travel to the space in order to photograph it, they do not have the security of a controlled environment. Each room is different, so each room's lighting needs are different. Furthermore, unlike studio spaces, most interior spaces that we visit were not designed with the intention of being photographed--indeed, some rooms were designed before cameras ever existed. Years of intensive training at a photography institute has provided photographers like Christian a skill set necessary to light a room to perfection.

Kitchen pre-lighting

Kitchen post-lighting

3) You need some of that Post-production magic -- When we hit the shutter, we're only half-done with a shot. For every day of photography, we expect to spend another day in the studio working our post-production magic. Some form of post-production photo editing and digital retouching is necessary for nearly every image. Sometimes we need it to bring in outdoor scenery to window views; or to rid images of glare, cords, telephone wires, outlets and switch plates. We are often correcting for color and tint and adjusting distorted angles. Sometimes images need cropping. Other times, we need to layer exposures in order to simulate even lighting. These tasks require adept knowledge of the Photoshop professional suite and an understanding of the latest techniques in photo editing.

Before Photoshop

After Photoshop

4) Inn photographers are special(ized) -- As inn photographers, we will probably never make our money shooting weddings. In the same vein, rarely will portrait photographers try their hand at interiors. Simply put, photography has numerous specializations, and within the subfields of photography are techniques, equipment and knowledge specific to that subfield. Inn photography is especially interesting because within the specialization are MULTIPLE specializations: food photography, exterior photography and interior photography. Prior to setting out on his own, Christian worked alongside an architectural photographer in Philadelphia and a lifestyle studio photographer in New York City before he started working with inns. He was able to glean useful techniques from both experiences, but ultimately, had to learn how to meld together and extrapolate from those techniques in order to create good inn photography. His four years experience primarily photographing inns has rewarded him with knowledge of his client base and more importantly, knowledge of his clients' target market.

In addition to interiors, Inn Photographers must know how to photograph food...

...and exteriors. (Gibson Mansion, Montana)

5) Great inn photography tells a story -- The goal of inn photography is to sell an experience to prospective guests. Thus, inn photographs need to convey more than just a mere sense of space; they require props and styling in order to communicate a story within the photo. This is where skill in composition comes in. Because what the camera eye and what the human eye sees can be quite different,  Inn Photographers need to know how and where to place props in order for the final image to be emotionally compelling and aesthetically pleasing. When the website is an image-driven, well-designed site with great inn photography (and large images!),  the innkeeper can tell a great story to their prospective guests. The message of the story is simple: You want to be our guest. You want to stay HERE. 

Cozy cottage shot at Irish Hollow, Galena

Breakfast on the Cape