Four Luxury Hotels I'm Dreaming of Photographing this Summer
- Kathryn Ann Waller
- May 5
- 4 min read
Last year, I made a decision I’d been circling for a while: I wanted to get into hotel photography. More specifically, luxury hotel photography. I’ve always loved the design-forward nature of boutique hotels, the intentionality of the guest experience and the way that every corner has a story to tell. So I decided to put myself out there and start making the kind of work I wanted more of.
I reached out to one of Savannah’s newest (and most photogenic) luxury hotels - Hotel Bardo. I was elated when they offered me a night’s stay on the property in exchange for imagery. And just like that, I was in on hotel photography.
Fast forward to now: Hotel Bardo has become my main Savannah-based client, and those shoot days are often the highlight of my month. There’s something really special about photographing a place where design, hospitality and storytelling intersect. Every room has a texture to play with. Every space is curated with intention. It feels like documenting a living piece of art.
Why Hotel Photography?
Hotel photography blends many of the things I love: lifestyle imagery, architecture, interiors and a touch of travel envy. There’s an art to making a space feel both aspirational and attainable. And good hotel imagery isn’t just about capturing a pretty room - it’s about showcasing the experience. What does it feel like to spend a slow morning here? To drink coffee by the pool? To open the windows and hear the sounds of the city or runners in the park or guests playing a match of chess in the courtyard?
This past year hasn’t involved as much travel as years past, but photographing hotels like Bardo has allowed me to remain creatively engaged while staying close to home. I’ve learned a lot about angles, timing how natural light moves through a space. And I've learned a I really really love photographing hotels.
Here are a few images from that very first Bardo session:
Testing the Waters in California
So, naturally, when I visited California last summer, I decided to reach out to a few of the hotels I’d been eyeing on the West Coast to see if they could use a photography refresh. I had the pleasure of staying at and photographing Nicholson House in Mendocino and Kenwood Inn and Spa in Sonoma County. Both lived up to the hype, and then some.
Nicholson House, tucked into the quiet charm of Mendocino, felt like the kind of place that encourages you to put your phone away and actually read that book you brought.
Kenwood Inn and Spa, on the other hand, was drenched in golden hour magic - Tuscan undertones, warm stone walls and vine-covered courtyards.
Both equally dreamy to capture as subjects. If you find yourself in Northern California anytime soon, both spots are worth a detour. You can find more images on my Instagram.
Hotels I'm Eyeing to Photograph Next
Of course, now, my eyes are set on the possibility of what's ahead. I'm scheming of where I could go and photography next. Manifesting, if you will. And the list of hotels I’d love to photograph keeps growing.
Here’s what’s on my hotel photography wishlist right now:
The Dunmore | Harbour Island, Bahamas
A collection of pastel-toned cottages and private homes, tucked along the shore of the Bahamas. It’s the kind of place that makes my favorite playlist come to life. If they ever need a refresh of their imagery, I will gladly volunteer as tribute. If I disappear for the summer, you know where I am.
Cap Juluca, A Belmond Hotel | Anguilla
Cap Juluca is one of those luxury Caribbean resorts that feels like it belongs on a moodboard, or so it seems. Private beaches, Moorish-inspired architecture and part of the Belmond collection (a dream client of mine). I’ve read it’s as peaceful as it is photogenic. Sign me up.
Villa Lario | Lake Como, Italy
The Italian escape I can’t stop daydreaming about. Villa Lario is an intimate property perched above Lake Como, with just 18 suites and private gardens. Equal parts luxury and stillness. It's at the top of my 'abroad' list.
Rosewood Little Dix Bay | British Virgin Islands
Back to the beach I go. This secluded resort feels like a true escape. The design is gorgeous, of course, but what sets it apart is its surroundings - lush, untouched and quiet. I’ve heard it’s the ultimate wellness retreat, and that alone has me itching to visit.
The Art of Asking
If there’s one piece of advice I’d give anyone trying to move into hotel or travel photography (or trying to do anything new really), it’s this: just ask. I know it’s scary - sending that pitch, DM’ing your dream client or emailing a hotel you’ve never even stayed at. But truly, the worst thing that can happen is a no or just no response. And sometimes, that no turns into a yes six months later.
Most of the work I’ve booked in this space has come from reaching out first. Including myself in the rooms I want to be in. Sharing the kind of work I want more of. Being specific. Being gracious. Following up. All of it matters.
So if something is calling your name, take that leap. Your next client is likely just one email away!
Lessons Learned in Hotel Photography
A few thoughts, for the curious or the fellow photographers out there:
Lighting is everything. Natural light, especially. Mornings and golden hour are your best friends.
Think like a guest. What moments make people want to book? The turn-down chocolate? The pool at 7 AM? The vintage key rack?
Details, details, details. I’m talking about the robe on the chair, the shape of the coffee cup, the fringe on the pillow. These tell the story just as much as wide shots.
Show the lifestyle. Help people imagine themselves there - reading, relaxing, sipping, exploring.
Keep it authentic. It should be beautiful, yes. But also real. Hotel photography works best when it feels like a well-lived-in dream, not a showroom.
Let’s Keep the List Going
If you’ve stayed at a boutique or luxury hotel that you think I should add to my travel photography wishlist, I’d love to hear about it.
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