Pueblo Bonito Rose one of the finest resorts in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico

HOW TO PHOTOGRAPH
RESORTS and LODGES

                                                     by Jim Moerschel

Over the years as Lorraine and I have traveled to many parts of the world
in search of creating new and exciting images, we have stayed in our share of
fine resorts and lodges. Generally my photographic aptitude is focused on the
region we happen to be in and its wildlife, scenery and indigenous people.
I do try to shoot some images of the places that we have stayed, particularly
if they are unusual or set in an exotic setting and the images are mostly for myrecord of having enjoyed the lodge. Thereare times when a lodge or hotel needs
a fine set of images for a brochure or stationary and this can become a paying job.
If you ever receive a call to do a commercial assignment for a particular hotel,
resort or lodge and you get the job there are several steps to do before actually
creating pictures.
Have a sit down meeting with the client. This is the most important step in
the creative process. Find out what the owner or manager of the property wants
to portray through your photography skills. Listen carefully and take notes on
the images he is imagining. The manager may have a completely different set of
ideas for his needs then you may be thinking.

This image shows a nice overall garden view of the Pueblo Bonito Rose. The dark lines in the reflecting pool lead the viewers eye to the main buidling.
After he has finished with his vision, then it is your turn to add input. Take a
walk through all the areas of the property that the client has expressed an interest
in having images made. Here is the time to discuss how you plan to shoot a particular section of the grounds, building or garden pool while the client is with you. Use your creative eye to select a good angle of view and express your ideas
as you do the initial tour. Explain why you are selecting the angle of view and
even share other ideas so that your final selection of photos will give the client
more than one viewpoint.

In this garden view, the statue shows off the elegance of the Pueblo Bonito Rose and the viewer follows the "gaze" of the statue into the elegant and enchanting garden.
Always give the client an angle of view if they specify that this is the perfect
shot they desire. After you have done that one and are satisfied, shoot from other
angles that your creative eye may have spotted. Your client, when looking
through the final selection may select your “angle” rather than what he was
envisioning originally. Always give the client a choice.

A beautiful view of "Lands End" as seen from a high angle at Pueblo Bonito Rose Resort in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico.
Once you have completed the “walk through tour” with the client, then you are
on your own. As with all commercial assignments check your camera gear before
leaving your studio, bring sufficient lighting gear, tripod and lenses. Bring a backup camera body, just in case.

In the wonderful Mexican town of Loreto is a fine, family owned resort named Hotel Oasis. It is on the beach with a spectacular view of the Sea of Cortez and is a favorite with sport fisherman and independant travelers. The rooms are modern and clean and the restaurant serves delicious meals. This view shows a typical "Baja sunrise" glowing on the resort. I added a "frame" with the palm tree.

Contact email: loretooasis@prodigy.net.mx

Every resort brochure needs an “overall” photograph that shows off the property to
its best advantage. Study the building, its grounds, its architecture and the setting. Then
shoot the scene at different times of the day and even do a night version. This will be the
most important image as the “overall” photograph will grace the front cover of a brochure
or be placed in a magazine or possibly on the resorts website.

This is the daily sunrise scene from the outdoor restaurant at the Hotel Oasis looking out into the Sea of Cortez. A perfect spot to start the day with one of the sumptuous breakfasts by the Oasis chef.
Once you have this image in the bank, go around the grounds when the light is favorable for outdoor shooting. Avoid overcast days!! Vacationers do not want to even

Elucine, our gracious and personable waiter at the Hotel Oasis got our days off to a wonderful start with his humor. He writes the orders down with his "magic" pelican leg pen that insures that the meal will be delectable and when he brings the morning coffee he will also serve the "milk of the day." When asked, "What is it?" Elucine will smile and say "today it is fish milk." The next day it might be "lizard milk." To find out what this creamy, extraordinary liquid is you have to stay at the Hotel Oasis and have Elucine tell you his secret.
think it is going to rain on their trip, so select fine weather days to do the shoot. Select
each of your outdoor scenes and shoot each one at different times. Each scene will then be
enhanced by changing light values and take on a different look. You will want to create a
mood with your photographs that convey a feeling of inviting warmth to entice travelers to
come spend your vacation here.

The magnificent swimming pool at the Pueblo Bonitio Resort. I used a 24mm wide angle lens to create a wide panoramic view of the entire garden area and include most of the main building.

Look to show off the swimming pool and surrounding gardens. Every fine resort has a
nice pool and many these days are architectural works of art. Take advantage of this. Shoot with a wide angle lens to create sweeping vistas of the gardens and pool area. A wide
angle lens of 24mm will create the illusion that the grounds and pool are larger than they really are and make the resort all the more attractive for the brochure.
On a professional shoot, you may possibly bring in a couple of models to add to the scenes of the resort or lodge. A handsome couple can add that romantic touch to beach

While doing my "walk through tour" I spotted this small, tucked away fish pond. It made an attractive additional photograph that may entice travelers to want to stay at the Pueblo Bonito Rose.
scenes, pool and garden scenes as well as participating in some activities that the resort has
to offer. If resort personnel or visitors are used in the shoot always have them sign your
release. This is very important to avoid legal problems later on if you use a photo and they
are recognizable in the scene.
I always shoot from a tripod when possible. Shooting at a resort is usually a slow paced
affair and there is plenty of time to set up the tripod and compose the final image. This will
create extremely sharp images and allow you to drop the shutter speed down real slow if you need a small aperture for greater depth of field.

While walking the grounds of Pueblo Bonito Rose, I added some small scenes that add a touch of elegance to the enchanting gardens. The garden flowers add an inviting splash of color against a background of the blue pool and white building. This statue caught my eye and I chose an angle that placed it between the darker trees on either side. This creates a "frame" on either side.
Search the grounds and lobby area for works of art or architecture that is distinctive to
the resort. If it has a golf course, it must be included. Same if it has a tennis court, restaurant, beach and whatever other features that would make travelers want to come and stay at this place.

Colorful flowers will always enhance a brochure for a resort or lodge. Use your macro lens for closeups.
Do not limit yourself to one focal length. Try a wide variety of telephoto and wide angle
compositions. See what works best through viewing each scene different ways. Sometimes

This was my view of choice to photograph the Pueblo Bonito Sunset Beach Resort in Cabo San Lucas. A 24mm lens shows the spectacular "free form pool" one of the units, the white sand beach and thePacific Ocean. Only from this high angle can all of the important features be seen in one image.
a high angle view is best for dramatic visualization. Other times a tight close up is what’s
needed to achieve the best result.
The success that can be achieved in creating a series of fine images of a resort or lodge will be up to the photographers creative eye and imagination.

In the city of La Paz in Baja, Mexico is a fine resort called the La Concha Beach Resort. The lodge faces the Sea of Cortez right on a fantastic white sand beach. Most evenings this scene will enchant the traveler while dining in the outdoor restaurant. Generally I use a tripod on a photo such as this, but I interupted my meal, placed my chair in the proper spot and used it as a brace for this reflection of the spectacular sunset in the large swimming pool. Sometimes the photographer has to improvise.

     I wish you good luck in your travel adventures and good luck with your image making

                                                                                                                                           Jim