8-day Hotel Photography: IHG Kimpton BEM
We start with the most important: Room Photography
We photographed the first Hungarian hotel of the Kimpton brand, part of the luxury and lifestyle portfolio of IHG Hotels, for 8 days. The hotel has a total of 127 rooms with a view of the Danube, designed by Marcel Wanders. We had to photograph the hotel before it was open to guests, so we worked over several weeks and sessions, continuously delivering interior and building photos.
First, we photographed the hotel rooms, as they were completely finished and a priority. It is challenging to market hotel rooms to potential guests with only CGI/render versions that do not accurately reflect reality. This was the most crucial task with the earliest possible delivery deadline. During this period, we also had 3 other hotel photography projects, making these weeks hectic but enjoyable.
Work with us! We specialize in Hotel Photography that Drives More Reservations, Cuts Advertising Costs & Generates More Profit - Without Overpromising
We are based in Amsterdam & Budapest, these locations allow us to conveniently connect with our clients for on-location photoshoots. All travel logistics are managed by us, providing a stress-free planning experience for our clients. You can choose from several packages that best meet your needs and ideas.
VIEW THE GALLERY
Photographing the Restaurant, Bar, Lobby
After completing and delivering the interior room photos, we moved on to the ground floor: lobby, bar, and restaurant. The ceiling height was roughly 6 meters, and it was fortunate that I had recently purchased a new, more powerful flash (AD600), which effectively lit up the interior spaces. These were east-facing areas, filled with natural diffused light in the morning, making it the ideal time for photography.
It was advantageous that the hotel was not yet open, so we didn't have to navigate around guests or politely ask them to avoid the shots. Photographing an operating hotel is more challenging, as we aim to minimize guest disturbance. We've even had hotel photography sessions where the wellness area was closed just for us. I’ll never forget the angry looks at 7 AM.
We found characteristic Hungarian motifs like the miraculous deer, poppies, and tulips in several interiors of the hotel. We made sure to emphasize these during the photography.
Photographing the hotel conference rooms
We photographed the conference rooms in multiple arrangements. After taking two photos, we would switch to another area while the staff rearranged the room. Then we returned to capture the new setup before moving on to another space.
Several smaller conference rooms were located along the hallway on the staircase leading up from the restaurant. These rooms had burgundy walls—a bold, modern color, though it’s a fine line from resembling a grandmother's old red bathroom tiles. The ambiance was great in person, but capturing the true color and atmosphere in photos was challenging. We used reflectors to bounce diffused light, adding contrast to the interior photography.
Suite at Sunrise
We dedicated a separate day to photographing the hotel suites. On the first day, we intentionally arrived just after sunrise, around 6 AM, so the morning sunlight would fill the space with a warm ambiance. We didn't regret it—the suites were captured in the best light. In five-star hotels, we don't have to worry much about the bedding as it is usually tucked in and taut, with no texture, making it easier to handle wrinkles in post-processing.
Work with us! We specialize in Hotel Photography that Drives More Reservations, Cuts Advertising Costs & Generates More Profit - Without Overpromising
We are based in Amsterdam & Budapest, these locations allow us to conveniently connect with our clients for on-location photoshoots. All travel logistics are managed by us, providing a stress-free planning experience for our clients. You can choose from several packages that best meet your needs and ideas.
VIEW THE GALLERY
Connecting Suites Photography
The last to be completed was another hotel suite on the top floor, which actually has two suites that can be connected with a private terrace. We spent an entire afternoon on this. Due to its west-facing orientation, we photographed in the afternoon with more natural light, making interior photography easier.
We also took vertical photos to highlight the design elements on the ceiling. While hotels typically prefer horizontal photos 95% of the time, a few well-justified vertical shots are appreciated by both the hotel and the designer.
Exterior Photography and the SPA
Next, we photographed the spa, sauna, exterior, and the inner garden. Access to the inner garden wasn’t possible from the hotel; we had to go around via the office building. The wellness area, located on the lower level along with the gym, was fortunately empty, allowing us to photograph in peace.
We needed reflectors here as well, since the black ceiling made it impossible to use flash effectively. This is why we always work in pairs during photo shoots.
FENNEN: The rooftop bar
As our final stop, we photographed the rooftop bar, timing it intentionally for sunset. We were up there during the golden hour. The bar was located inside a glass building, and we spent about 30 minutes setting up, as there were countless small items on the bar counter. We took the photos after sunset to capture the deep blue of the sky and the glow of the internal yellow lights.
We photographed the exterior shots earlier, which also required a lot of arranging—moving chairs, adjusting tables. In hotel photography, we prefer not to overcrowd a space; fewer elements but a clearer view is better.
Extra Detail Shots for the Hotel Sales
In addition to interior photos, we provide detail shots of items like room setups and small design elements that can aid in sales and be used on social media platforms. These are not usually included in the initial offer and are considered a bonus. Since we work in pairs, we can take these extra shots when time allows, providing the hotel with valuable additions for their galleries.
I could write so much more about the photography, like how we managed to set off the fire alarm while trying to photograph the steam room. We opened the door, thinking the alarm was only sensitive to smoke. We were wrong—it was also triggered by steam. Fortunately, there was no major issue since it wasn’t connected to the fire department yet.
Work with us! We specialize in Hotel Photography that Drives More Reservations, Cuts Advertising Costs & Generates More Profit - Without Overpromising
We are based in Amsterdam & Budapest, these locations allow us to conveniently connect with our clients for on-location photoshoots. All travel logistics are managed by us, providing a stress-free planning experience for our clients. You can choose from several packages that best meet your needs and ideas.
