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Hospitality photography: stylish imagery with an analogue feel for restaurants and hotels
Photography is one of the ways in which we first get to know the atmosphere and character of a restaurant or hotel. Particularly for those of us who are less inclined to simply wander into a place without knowing what to expect, it can be lovely to get a glimpse of the interiors, food, rooms and other facilities beforehand. Good photography does more than help us form an impression: it can make us look forward to a visit before we have even arrived. I certainly know that feeling myself, haha!
As a hospitality photographer, I help restaurants and hotels capture that first impression in a stylish and authentic way. With imagery that carries a subtle analogue feel, I aim not only to show what a place looks like, but above all what it feels like to be there. My goal is to create photographs that spark curiosity and trust, and most importantly make people want to experience the place for themselves.
On this page, you can read more about my style and approach, the hospitality businesses I photograph and my packages and prices.
Curious to see the kind of photographs I create? At the bottom of this page, you will find a slideshow featuring a selection of my work. You can also have a look through my magazine and other photography pages. Prefer to get in touch straight away? Feel free to send me a message through the contact form or via the details on my contact page. I would love to hear from you!
What is hospitality photography?
Hospitality photography is about capturing the atmosphere, offering, interiors and exteriors of a venue and, where desired, the people who work there. The aim is to give prospective guests a vivid sense of what they can expect while communicating the story and identity of the business at the same time.
For many hotels and restaurants, hospitality photography forms an important part of their marketing strategy. Photography can of course be created in house, but businesses looking for greater consistency across their visual communication can benefit from working with a professional hospitality photographer. Especially when a high quality appearance matters, professional imagery can add that little something extra.
What characterises my work as a hospitality photographer?
My hospitality photography is shaped first and foremost by a great love of beautiful interiors and the lively atmosphere of hospitality spaces. A brand, a room, the people who work there and everything it has to offer come together to tell a story. As a photographer, I love bringing these different elements together in images that show not only what a place looks like, but what it feels like to be there.
My love of interior design comes through in photographs that capture both the beauty of a space as a whole and its more distinctive details up close. When photographing people and the atmosphere of a venue, I look for the right moments, movements and interactions. I favour a documentary approach, allowing the authenticity of a situation to take centre stage. I might work with different shutter speeds, for example, or play with layers within a space, composition, light and shadow.
My work is also strongly influenced by my love of analogue photography. I adore the warmth and softness of film, as well as the timeless quality analogue images can have. Even when I photograph digitally, I look for that same feeling. Through particular camera settings and careful editing, I create a subtle analogue look without losing the natural character of the image.
What types of hospitality photography do I offer?
As a hospitality photographer, I work with a variety of venues, each with its own atmosphere, audience and story. Below, you can read more about the different kinds of hospitality photography I offer and the images we might create for each. Whatever the place, my approach remains personal and the shoot is always tailored to what you would like your business to convey.
Restaurant photography
A restaurant is about far more than good food alone. We go out to celebrate, for a romantic evening, a business meeting or simply for the pleasure of spending time together. Good restaurant photography should therefore capture more than what appears on the plate. It should give a sense of the entire experience of being there.
I love capturing the interiors and exterior, the different spaces and, of course, the food itself, from beautifully presented dishes and distinctive ingredients to cocktails and wine. Alongside these, I look for the life unfolding within the restaurant: the chef at work in the kitchen, waiting staff moving between tables, a dish being served or the interaction between guests. It is often these small moments and movements that make a restaurant come alive and create a series that truly reflects its atmosphere and character.
Hotel photography
We stay in hotels for all sorts of reasons: to escape the everyday for a little while, to celebrate something special or simply to treat ourselves to a few days of rest and luxury. Hotel photography is therefore about more than photographing a building or a room. It is about capturing the feeling of a stay. Atmosphere, interiors, exterior and story come together in images that allow someone to start looking forward to their visit before they have even arrived.
When choosing a hotel, its interiors, rooms and facilities play an important role for many guests. After all, we often spend several days there, and the hotel itself can become an important part of a holiday or weekend away. After a day full of new impressions, you want to return to a beautiful room, sit down to a lovely breakfast the following morning or perhaps spend an entire day at the hotel enjoying everything it has to offer.
A hotel photography shoot can include an extensive series of its different spaces and facilities, both indoors and out, from guest rooms and communal areas to the restaurant, spa, swimming pool or terraces. Food, staff at work, special events and the surrounding area can all become part of the story too. We tailor the shoot to the story you would like to tell as a hotel and the imagery needed to bring it to life.
Hospitality photography for cafés, coffee shops and other venues
Of course, restaurants and hotels are far from the only hospitality businesses that can benefit from professional photography. I also photograph places such as:
- Cafés and bars: from cosy traditional pubs to modern cocktail bars, wine bars and craft beer cafés.
- Lunch spots and coffee shops: from latte art and counters filled with cakes to interiors and the lively atmosphere throughout the day.
- Beach restaurants and pavilions: atmospheric imagery bringing together the interiors, terrace, beach and surrounding landscape.
- Bed and breakfasts and smaller places to stay: photographs of the rooms, interiors, breakfast and all the little details that make a stay feel special.
Personally, I love the variety: photographing different places and discovering again and again what gives each one its own character. Curious about the possibilities for your business? Feel free to send me a message. I would love to hear about your ideas and design an approach that suits your business.
My approach to hospitality photography
When you choose me as your hospitality photographer, you are placing an important part of your visual communication in my hands. I therefore approach every commission with a great deal of care, love and attention. It begins with a conversation about your wishes and ends with a thoughtfully curated collection of images that feels true to the atmosphere and identity of your business.
While photographing, I try to disrupt the natural rhythm of the business as little as possible. Your guests' experience always comes first, for me too, so when your business is open I move through the space quietly and unobtrusively. Beforehand, we can of course also discuss how you would like to approach guests who may be recognisable in the photographs.
Afterwards, I carefully select and edit the images in my own style. If you would like to be involved in the final selection, that is always possible. The complete series is then delivered through a private online gallery, ready to use across your website, social media and other marketing channels.
Digital and analogue hospitality photography
My style as a hospitality photographer is strongly influenced by my love of analogue photography. I am fascinated by the warm colours, softness and character of photographs created on film, and I try to bring some of that feeling into my digital work as well. At the same time, digital and analogue photography each have their own qualities, which is precisely why I love combining the two. Below is a short overview of when analogue or digital photography might be particularly suited to your business:
When is analogue photography a good choice for your hospitality business?
- For photographs of interiors, distinctive details, dishes and other carefully chosen moments where you would like a genuinely analogue character
- When a vintage, artistic or editorial feel suits the identity of your business
- For individual campaigns or social media posts in which atmosphere takes centre stage
When is digital photography the most suitable choice?
- When you need an extensive, versatile and consistent image library for a range of marketing channels
- When spontaneous moments and movement follow one another quickly, for example during service or in the kitchen
- When greater flexibility and reliability are particularly important during the shoot
The different cameras I use as a hospitality photographer
As a hospitality photographer, I work with several different cameras, each with its own distinctive qualities. I choose the camera carefully depending on the atmosphere and the kind of image I would like to create. Below is a small overview of the different cameras I use and the kind of photographs they can produce.
Fujifilm X-T4 – digital camera. My versatile foundation that gives me plenty of flexibility to respond quickly to changing light and moments that unfold unexpectedly.
Pentax K1000 – analogue camera, 35mm, 36 photographs per roll. I love using this camera when there is enough time to consider light and composition with a little more intention.
Pentax 67 – analogue medium format camera, with 10 photographs per roll and beautiful image quality. This camera is somewhat slower to work with, but the incredible image quality makes it perfect for special places and moments.
Olympus MJU i – analogue point and shoot camera with built in flash, 35mm, 36 photographs per roll. This little camera is ideal for spontaneous and relaxed atmospheric images. Particularly in the evening, or when used with flash, it can create a playful, nostalgic feel.
Where I work as a hospitality photographer
My working area as a hospitality photographer is broad. I am currently based in Roermond, in the Dutch province of Limburg, but happily travel throughout the Netherlands and beyond to photograph hospitality businesses. Whether it is a restaurant in Maastricht, a boutique hotel in Amsterdam or a special place somewhere along the Dutch coast, I am more than happy to get in the car, hop on a train or even catch a plane for a commission.
I am also available for hospitality photography outside the Netherlands and happily travel throughout Europe for commissions. In fact, photographing different places and surroundings is one of the things I particularly enjoy about my work. Every city, region and hospitality business has its own atmosphere and character and therefore calls for a slightly different approach.
Is your restaurant, hotel or other hospitality business a little further afield? That certainly does not have to be an obstacle. Feel free to send me a message with your location and ideas. For commissions that involve a longer journey or an overnight stay, I will always discuss the practical arrangements and any travel or accommodation costs with you beforehand.
Hospitality photography packages and prices
Every hospitality business has its own story to tell and therefore calls for a slightly different kind of photography. Perhaps you are looking for a small collection of new images that captures the atmosphere of your restaurant, or perhaps you would like to create an extensive image library bringing together the interiors, your offering, the people behind the business and everything else that makes your place special.
To give you an idea of the investment, I have put together a few possibilities below. Think of these primarily as a guide: I would love to hear about what you have in mind and can then suggest the form of photography that best suits your wishes.
- A small atmospheric shoot – from €350 including 21% VAT* | For those looking for a compact collection of images that captures the character of a restaurant, hotel, café or other hospitality business. We might focus on the interiors, dishes, distinctive details and a selection of atmospheric images. A lovely option if you would like to refresh or add to your existing photography.
- An extended hospitality shoot – from €650 including 21% VAT* | For those who would like to show several sides of the business and create a versatile collection of imagery. This might include interiors and exteriors, food and drinks, people at work, guests and the small moments that give a place its atmosphere. The result is a varied collection that can be used across your website, social media and other communications.
- A complete image library – from €950 including 21% VAT* | For a more extensive shoot in which we take the time to capture your business in all its different facets. This can be particularly suitable for hotels, larger restaurants or hospitality businesses with several different spaces and facilities. From interiors and exteriors to food, staff, atmosphere and surroundings, we decide together beforehand which images will tell your story most beautifully.
- Analogue photography – optional | For those who would like to add an extra layer of character to their image collection, analogue photography can be added to any package. A roll of film, including professional development and digitisation, costs approximately €40. Depending on the look you would like to achieve, we can photograph on either 35mm or medium format film.
* The prices above include preparation, careful selection and professional editing of the final images. You will receive the photographs in high resolution through a private online gallery, ready to use across your own website, social media and other marketing materials.
* As every commission is different, I am happy to prepare a personal proposal based on your wishes. Travel costs are not included in the starting prices above and are calculated according to location. If a longer journey or overnight stay is required, I will of course always discuss this with you in advance.
Are you looking for a hospitality photographer?
Are you looking for a hospitality photographer who can capture the atmosphere and character of your unique business with style and an eye for detail? Or perhaps you need beautiful, professional imagery for your social media, website or other marketing materials?
Feel free to get in touch with me, without any obligation, via isabelroosmarijke@gmail.com , phone, Instagram or the contact form on my website. I would love to hear about your ideas, explore the possibilities with you and create something beautiful together!