As any professional photographer in New York City can tell you, studio rentals are expensive. When I first started building my photography business, Brooklyn Boudoir, I didn’t have the budget or monthly clientele that would support a steady studio. I tried a lot of different NYC boudoir photography locations, from in-home shoots to studio shares but nothing elevated the look of my photographs as much as a beautiful hotel room.
The biggest challenge was that I was always at the mercy of the hotel’s check-in and check-out times – neither of which was really conducive to my natural light photography style.
Then I discovered the magic of day-use hotels for photography. I could select a location that suited my needs AND utilize the room during regular business hours! It was a total game-changer!
Suddenly, I had multiple hotel room options available during the times I really needed them—I could transform the hotel room into an expertly designed and client-ready photography studio.
Boudoir Photography in hotel rooms is an obvious choice, but I found many professional photography genres can benefit from hotel locations as well, from maternity photography to headshots to personal branding photographers. Even family photography can take place in a hotel room!
Expert Tips for Studio Setup
Of course, not every hotel room is right for portrait photography. Here are some Hotel Room Photoshoot Tips I always consider when I’m selecting a room for my clients:
Hotel Room Lighting Tips for Photographers:
Natural light shines in hotel rooms. I always pay special attention to the windows when selecting a space :
- Are they big or small? Small windows make it easier to get a dark and moody look while large windows give you lots of options and a little bit of a voyeuristic vibe. What is your personal style and will the windows work for you?
- Can neighbors see into the room, or is another building butted right up next to them? This is common in big cities like New York and not ideal for boudoir, or for the quality of light coming into the room. Ideally, I look for a hotel without obstructions near the windows.
- What are the window dressings like? Are there sheers that will help diffuse the light? Blackout curtains? Both? Do the shades close horizontally (great for a “sliver of light”) or do they come down vertically? These are all features I like to pay attention to when selecting a room.
- Regardless of the types of windows and window dressing, I love positioning my clients intentionally around the windows. I think about varying my lighting, capturing the client front-lit (i.e., with the window behind the photographer) for simple & even beauty light, side-lit or in a corner for some dramatic shadows, and backlit for an ethereal look. Sometimes, I even use the curtains as a background for my photographs! Variety is the key to higher sales, and by simply moving your client’s position in relation to the window, you will achieve a wide variety of looks.
Maximize Your Space
Many hotels have beautiful furniture pieces, though they are often very large and hard to move. That said, there is a lot you can do to move tables, lamps, chairs, coffee machines, and other smaller pieces to make sure you have the space you need to shoot.
I like arranging furniture closer together when I’m going for a more lifestyle-y look – after all hotel rooms are some of the best decorated studios you can rent! Once you’ve captured the furniture as you like it, you can often move what you need to for a more editorial, in-studio look.
You can even hang a simple backdrop or fabric on the wall to further add variety to your images. This offers you the best of all worlds! Just make sure you can move the furniture without damaging the room, and can replace it as you found it before checking out!
Creating Comfortable Photography Settings in Day-Use Rooms
Making clients comfortable in photoshoots is of the utmost importance – and it’s one of my superpowers.
One way I make my clients feel seen is by tailoring their photoshoot location to their personal style. Before their shoot, I give my clients a “homework assignment” so I can get a better sense of their style, then I select a hotel room that fits the vibe they are going for.
Some rooms are more trendy and colorful, some are more minimal, and I pay attention to these types of ambiance elements as I am booking a room.
Moreover, the goal of a good hotel is to make people feel cozy, comfortable and relaxed. Because of this, so much of the work is done for you when you use a hotel room as your photoshoot location!
I like bringing a welcome sign so my client knows I am expecting THEM (not just some client). You can further add to the vibe by playing music for your clients or even spraying a little room spray to bring your signature scent into the room.
Learn More about Photographing Clients in Hotel Rooms
As someone who has been actively photographing boudoir photography in hotels for years, I want to share what I know with other photographers looking to elevate their businesses. In my new course, “The Art of the Hotel Photoshoot,” you’ll follow me through several different hotel locations, from a tiny and dark room in New York, to a basic room that can be found nearly anywhere around the country, to a truly inspirational suite.
I teach how I assess my client’s style, how this translates to the type of hotel I want to book and how to maximize each space for a wide variety of photos. I cover common challenges you may face when photographing clients in hotels, tips for small space photography in hotel rooms, client communications to be sure everyone is on the same page, and will even reveal exactly what I pack in my kit to ensure I am covered in any situation.
And as a special “new launch” offer, I’m even offering a 10% discount code on bookings through HotelsByDay.
Whether you are just starting out in photography and in need of some beautiful locations (without a hefty price tag), or a seasoned pro looking to shake things up and offer your clients something fresh and new, utilizing day use hotels gives you so many options that both you and your clients will love.
Visit www.stephaniebordas.com for more tips and to explore “The Art of the Hotel Photoshoot.”
And feel free to drop me a note on Instagram @brooklynboudoir – I’d love to see your own hotel photoshoot images and hear how they went!