Read in
3 min

How to Choose the Best Hotel Photographer in Seattle for Luxury Hospitality

A helpful guide for hoteliers, creative agencies, and design-driven hospitality brands looking to elevate their property through premium photography and video
Read in
3 min
Published:
May 1, 2025

Not All Hotel Photography Is Created Equal

If you’re marketing a luxury hotel in Seattle, you already know the visuals need to reflect the care, intention, and experience your property offers. But choosing the right creative partner can feel overwhelming. There are a lot of talented photographers out there—but not all are the right fit for high-end hospitality.

In this guide, we’re walking through what to look for, what to ask, and how to find a team that feels like an extension of yours—collaborative, thoughtful, and aligned with your brand.

What Sets a Luxury Hotel Photographer Apart?

A true luxury hospitality photographer offers more than just polished images. They know how to:

  • Tell a brand story through visuals
  • Balance architecture and emotion
  • Understand the flow of a guest experience
  • Craft visuals that support marketing and advertising goals

They act as a creative partner, helping you bring your brand vision to life—on social media, your website, OTAs, and print.

1. Do They Understand the World of Luxury Hospitality?

You’re not selling a bed—you’re selling an experience. The right photographer understands that. Look for someone who:

  • Has experience working with boutique and luxury hotel brands
  • Knows how to shoot food & beverage, spa, lifestyle, and rooms cohesively
  • Thinks like a guest, not just like a photographer

At AB Photo & Video, we’ve worked with boutique and luxury hotel brands across the United States, Canada, and around the world to even Cambodia and Thailand. We bring a calm, collaborative approach—pairing storytelling with a designer’s eye.

2. Does Their Style Align with Your Brand?

Every hotel has its own personality. Your visuals should reflect that. When reviewing a portfolio, consider:

  • Does it evoke the tone you want—modern, timeless, warm, or vibrant?
  • Do the images feel cohesive across different scenes?
  • Can you picture your brand in their style?

Our work leans editorial and emotive, shaped by our roots in interior design and architecture. We focus on light, space, and human connection to create visuals that feel both beautiful and intentional.

3. Can They Tell a Cohesive Story with Photo and Video?

A cohesive visual campaign is more powerful than a handful of photos. If you're also investing in video, look for a team that can:

  • Offer both photography and videography under one creative vision - If we decide that we need to bring on another production team to support either photo and video production, we can also help with that.
  • Maintain a consistent tone and aesthetic across formats
  • Guide you through story development and pre-production

Our team specializes in story-driven hotel campaigns that align with your brand’s tone of voice. We handle both mediums with clarity and care, ensuring all assets work in harmony.

4. Do They Offer Creative Direction and Pre-Production Support?

Great imagery starts long before the camera rolls. The best hotel photographers:

  • Help define the story or marketing goal behind each shot
  • Provide shot lists, moodboards, and creative treatments
  • Align the photography with brand campaigns or launch strategies

We invest heavily in pre-production planning so that your team isn’t left guessing. From room selection to talent casting to styling, our process ensures a smooth, efficient shoot with high-impact results.

5. Are They Familiar with Seattle's Unique Environment?

Seattle light can be a little moody—but in the right hands, that’s a strength. A local team knows how to:

  • Plan shoots around natural light opportunities
  • Recreate soft, natural daylight indoors on gray days
  • Work efficiently when the weather doesn’t cooperate

We specialize in making interiors feel naturally bright and inviting, no matter the weather. It’s part art, part experience—and we love the challenge.

6. Is Licensing Clear and Fair?

Licensing shouldn’t be complicated. A trustworthy photographer will:

  • Clearly outline where and how you can use the images
  • Provide flexibility depending on your needs (website, print, ads, OTAs, etc.)
  • Offer guidance if partners (like agencies or designers) want access too

We aim to make licensing simple and transparent, so you know exactly what’s included and how to make the most of your visuals.

7. Do They Respect the Guest Experience?

Hotels are living, breathing spaces. A respectful team knows how to:

  • Work around guests and staff gracefully
  • Be efficient, low-profile, and professional
  • Adapt calmly when things shift or change

Our clients often tell us we’re easy to collaborate with—organized, relaxed, and mindful of the guest experience. We know what it means to be a good guest in your space, too.

8. Can They Show Results?

Beautiful photos are great—but what impact did they have?

Ask for:

  • Testimonials from past hotel clients
  • Case studies showing campaign success or improved engagement
  • Repeat bookings or long-term partnerships

We’ve had the honor of working on hotel campaigns across the U.S. and internationally, helping brands bring their vision to life through strategic storytelling.

For example, take a look at our Park Hyatt Project Here for a reference.

Final Thoughts: The Right Photographer Feels Like a Partner

Ultimately, choosing the right hotel photographer isn’t just about gear or even skill. It’s about shared vision, clear communication, and the ability to bring your brand to life.

At AB Photo & Video, we combine architectural roots, interior design expertise, and editorial storytelling to craft hotel photography and video that elevate every space and serve a long-term marketing purpose.

Let’s Bring Your Hotel Story to Life

We’d love to be part of your next chapter.

🏨 See our hotel work HERE

or

📢 Get in touch HERE to learn more.

Not All Hotel Photography Is Created Equal

If you’re marketing a luxury hotel in Seattle, you already know the visuals need to reflect the care, intention, and experience your property offers. But choosing the right creative partner can feel overwhelming. There are a lot of talented photographers out there—but not all are the right fit for high-end hospitality.

In this guide, we’re walking through what to look for, what to ask, and how to find a team that feels like an extension of yours—collaborative, thoughtful, and aligned with your brand.

What Sets a Luxury Hotel Photographer Apart?

A true luxury hospitality photographer offers more than just polished images. They know how to:

  • Tell a brand story through visuals
  • Balance architecture and emotion
  • Understand the flow of a guest experience
  • Craft visuals that support marketing and advertising goals

They act as a creative partner, helping you bring your brand vision to life—on social media, your website, OTAs, and print.

1. Do They Understand the World of Luxury Hospitality?

You’re not selling a bed—you’re selling an experience. The right photographer understands that. Look for someone who:

  • Has experience working with boutique and luxury hotel brands
  • Knows how to shoot food & beverage, spa, lifestyle, and rooms cohesively
  • Thinks like a guest, not just like a photographer

At AB Photo & Video, we’ve worked with boutique and luxury hotel brands across the United States, Canada, and around the world to even Cambodia and Thailand. We bring a calm, collaborative approach—pairing storytelling with a designer’s eye.

2. Does Their Style Align with Your Brand?

Every hotel has its own personality. Your visuals should reflect that. When reviewing a portfolio, consider:

  • Does it evoke the tone you want—modern, timeless, warm, or vibrant?
  • Do the images feel cohesive across different scenes?
  • Can you picture your brand in their style?

Our work leans editorial and emotive, shaped by our roots in interior design and architecture. We focus on light, space, and human connection to create visuals that feel both beautiful and intentional.

3. Can They Tell a Cohesive Story with Photo and Video?

A cohesive visual campaign is more powerful than a handful of photos. If you're also investing in video, look for a team that can:

  • Offer both photography and videography under one creative vision - If we decide that we need to bring on another production team to support either photo and video production, we can also help with that.
  • Maintain a consistent tone and aesthetic across formats
  • Guide you through story development and pre-production

Our team specializes in story-driven hotel campaigns that align with your brand’s tone of voice. We handle both mediums with clarity and care, ensuring all assets work in harmony.

4. Do They Offer Creative Direction and Pre-Production Support?

Great imagery starts long before the camera rolls. The best hotel photographers:

  • Help define the story or marketing goal behind each shot
  • Provide shot lists, moodboards, and creative treatments
  • Align the photography with brand campaigns or launch strategies

We invest heavily in pre-production planning so that your team isn’t left guessing. From room selection to talent casting to styling, our process ensures a smooth, efficient shoot with high-impact results.

5. Are They Familiar with Seattle's Unique Environment?

Seattle light can be a little moody—but in the right hands, that’s a strength. A local team knows how to:

  • Plan shoots around natural light opportunities
  • Recreate soft, natural daylight indoors on gray days
  • Work efficiently when the weather doesn’t cooperate

We specialize in making interiors feel naturally bright and inviting, no matter the weather. It’s part art, part experience—and we love the challenge.

6. Is Licensing Clear and Fair?

Licensing shouldn’t be complicated. A trustworthy photographer will:

  • Clearly outline where and how you can use the images
  • Provide flexibility depending on your needs (website, print, ads, OTAs, etc.)
  • Offer guidance if partners (like agencies or designers) want access too

We aim to make licensing simple and transparent, so you know exactly what’s included and how to make the most of your visuals.

7. Do They Respect the Guest Experience?

Hotels are living, breathing spaces. A respectful team knows how to:

  • Work around guests and staff gracefully
  • Be efficient, low-profile, and professional
  • Adapt calmly when things shift or change

Our clients often tell us we’re easy to collaborate with—organized, relaxed, and mindful of the guest experience. We know what it means to be a good guest in your space, too.

8. Can They Show Results?

Beautiful photos are great—but what impact did they have?

Ask for:

  • Testimonials from past hotel clients
  • Case studies showing campaign success or improved engagement
  • Repeat bookings or long-term partnerships

We’ve had the honor of working on hotel campaigns across the U.S. and internationally, helping brands bring their vision to life through strategic storytelling.

For example, take a look at our Park Hyatt Project Here for a reference.

Final Thoughts: The Right Photographer Feels Like a Partner

Ultimately, choosing the right hotel photographer isn’t just about gear or even skill. It’s about shared vision, clear communication, and the ability to bring your brand to life.

At AB Photo & Video, we combine architectural roots, interior design expertise, and editorial storytelling to craft hotel photography and video that elevate every space and serve a long-term marketing purpose.

Let’s Bring Your Hotel Story to Life

We’d love to be part of your next chapter.

🏨 See our hotel work HERE

or

📢 Get in touch HERE to learn more.