Photograph Your B&B Like a Pro With These Insider Tips From Photographer, Marcus Berg

Photos can make or break how new visitors perceive your B&B.  Are the photographs of your B&B doing enough to invite and attract more bookings?

Today’s interview will shine the light on this crucial aspect of promoting your hospitality business.  Professional Architectural Photographer, Marcus Berg of Unique Angles Photography, joins us to share his secrets.  He specializes in photographing B&B’s and frankly, his work really speaks for itself.

Check out a some of the photos from his portfolio, then read his full interview below.

Can you give us a brief intro about who you are, what you do, and where (location) you and your clients are?

Marcus Berg

My name is Marcus Berg and my company, Unique Angles Photography (UAP) was established in 1994 and over the years has created a niche in serving the hospitality industry. With exceptional attention to detail and skillful use of lighting, UAP has been privileged to work with lodging facilities that include bed & breakfasts, boutique hotels and Inns. UAP also specializes in culinary and wine photography to showcase other aspects of hospitality.  I am located on the West Coast in Oregon, able to travel to your location. I’ve been all up and down on the west coast and as far east as Texas.

What led you to focus on photography for B&B and Hotels?

My wife and I were spending an Anniversary at a B&B and as I looked at the website; being an architectural photographer, I offered my services to help boost their images. The second Inn we visited, I offered the same and the Innkeeper told me I must attend a B&B conference. I’ve been hooked on B&B’s ever since.

For those who are on a budget and don’t want to hire a professional photographer, what equipment would you suggest they use to produce their photos?

It’s really not the equipment that is going to make the difference, it’s what the eye sees.  It’s all about the lighting and where it’s placed. Turn on lights and try to bounce your additional lights off the ceiling.

Any tips for preparing a room to be photographed?

Yes, Less is best.  The more you have the room cleaned the better.  Windows are often overlooked.  Remove the screen and clean the glass.  Hide the clocks, garbage can & telephone.  Set room up with some props for an invitational image, such as a robe, wine, fruit, coffee mug, Chocolate, newspaper/book, reading glasses etc.

After the photos are shot, what can be done to enhance and prepare them for final presentation?

I use Photoshop to help with fixing my images.  Several things can be done on the computer.  Lighting can be worked with, and levels of color to enhance the image.  Removing reflections or unwanted objects and sharpening can also be done.

Is there an optimal time of day to photograph a Hotel or B&B?

If you are going to do the exterior of the location, it’s usually best to have the sun behind you, which goes for interior photos too.  The two best times I like to shoot is early in the morning or just at sunset or the golden hour.  One thing you want to stay away from is taking interior photos at night.

Without being deceptive, can you suggest any “tips or tricks” to make Hotel or B&B photos more attractive to potential guests?

Make your setting as inviting as possible.  For instance, taking a photo of a nice looking bed is Great, however, if you turn down that same bed and add an inviting cup of coffee with and a flower, you have just turned that photo into something much more enticing.

“Make your setting as inviting as possible.”
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What is your process when working with a Hotel or B&B operator? Take us through a typical client project.

We begin with an agreed upon project and date. Upon arrival, I meet with the Innkeeper(s) and review what they want to focus on.  I try to use as many props as are available at the location.  We may choose to bring outside props in, such as flowers or wine/cheese plate, etc.  Depending on the size of the facility, I spend the majority of each day shooting that Inn.  At the end of the shoot, I come back to my office and then the work continues to prepare each image for the final print.  Once I have all the photos done, I prepare a DVD in both a Jpeg and a Tiff file for the client.  Jpeg is for the internet and the Tiff file is for printing or publication.

Where can folks reach out to you if they want to connect?

You can always reach me at my email address: uniqueangles@gmail.com or contact me through my website: www.uniqueanglesphoto.com and at the bottom of my website is a link to my Facebook page. The other way to contact me is through LinkedIn as well as several associations like; PAII, OBBG, CABBI, Keizer Chamber of Commerce and Wine and Hospitality Network.com

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