Hotel Photography vs. Hospitality Photography: What's the Difference?

Hotel photography and hospitality photography are closely related, but they describe different scopes of work. Hotel photography focuses on the hotel itself, while hospitality photography can extend to other spaces and businesses within the hospitality sector. I have photographed different types of hospitality properties, from hotels in Saudi Arabia to restaurants and guest facilities. Each assignment has its own brief and requirements.

Hotel Photography

Hotel photography covers the accommodation, architecture, interiors, and facilities of a hotel. Depending on the assignment, this may include guest rooms, suites, reception areas, restaurants, swimming pools, and other parts of the property. My assignment at Mövenpick Hotel Makkah included room categories, lifestyle photography with models, the restaurant, and reception areas. The brief also included a photograph from inside a guest room looking towards the Kaaba. I photographed Dar Tantora The House Hotel in AlUla, Saudi Arabia, across multiple visits between October 2023 and January 2024. The first session took place ahead of the hotel's reopening and covered one room and the general atmosphere of the property. A later session covered the operational hotel, including its rooms, swimming pool, and restaurant.

Hospitality Photography

Hospitality photography extends beyond hotels. It can include restaurants, resorts, spas, and other properties and spaces within the hospitality sector. The work depends on the assignment. Some projects focus on a single restaurant or dining space, while others cover several facilities within a larger property. My visit to Al Faya Lodge in the Sharjah desert gave me an opportunity to explore a different type of hospitality property. I booked a room after discovering the building online and had previously passed it several times while paragliding in the desert during its construction. During my visit, I explored the property and took photographs and videos. I discussed its site planning, the relationship between the building and its desert surroundings, and the use of weathered steel alongside the original stone structure. I also looked at the skylights in the rooms, the master suite's private rooftop access, and the private pool, spa, and restaurant facilities. These were among the features I discussed in my video about Al Faya Lodge.

The Difference Between the Two

Hotel photography and hospitality photography can cover many of the same spaces. A hotel may include guest rooms, restaurants, swimming pools, and spa facilities, while a hospitality assignment may cover a restaurant, resort, or other destination without focusing on hotel accommodation. The main difference is the scope of the assignment. Hotel photography concentrates on documenting a hotel and its facilities. Hospitality photography can cover a broader range of properties and spaces.

Defining the Scope of a Hospitality Photography Project

The brief determines which parts of a property need to be documented. For one hotel, the assignment may focus on rooms and accommodation. For another, it may include restaurants, swimming pools, and additional facilities. The same applies to wider hospitality properties. A restaurant, spa, or resort will have different spaces and requirements to consider. For this reason, I look at the property and the scope of the assignment before defining the photography coverage. The final image collection should reflect the spaces included in the brief.