Frequently Asked Questions

Hotel, Resort & Architectural Photography

Planning a hotel, resort, or architectural shoot comes with a lot of moving parts, and this page is here to make the process easy. I’m Nick Tortajada, a Marriott Approved hotel and resort photographer and commercial architectural photographer working with hospitality brands, developers, and design teams across the United States. Below, you’ll find answers to the most common questions about booking, planning, timelines, licensing, equipment, travel, and technical requirements.

  • What types of properties do you photograph?

    I photograph luxury hotels, boutique resorts, branded hospitality properties, multi-family developments, student housing, commercial buildings, and architectural projects of all sizes across the U.S.

  • Are you a Marriott Approved Photographer?

    Yes — I am officially Marriott Approved, with years of experience shooting for Marriott brands and following their creative, technical, and quality standards. I also work extensively with Hilton, Hyatt, Curio Collection, IHG, and independent properties.

  • Do you travel for shoots?

    Absolutely. Most of my work takes place on location across the United States. Travel is simple to arrange and always included clearly in your estimate.

  • How far in advance should we book?

    Hotels and resorts usually schedule 2–8 weeks out. Architectural and design projects often book 1–4 weeks out. If you have an urgent timeline or a last-minute need, I can usually accommodate.

  • How long does a typical shoot take?

    Hotel/Resort Photography: 1–3 days

    Architectural Projects: Usually 1 day

    Multi-Family or Student Housing: 1–2 days
    It depends on the number of spaces, guest traffic, lighting, and whether we’re capturing lifestyle content.

  • What’s included in a hotel or resort shoot?

    A full property shoot often includes:
    – Guest rooms + suites
    – Lobby + public areas
    – Restaurants, bars, lounges
    – Pools + spas
    – Meeting rooms + event spaces
    – Exterior architecture
    – Lifestyle moments
    – Detail storytelling goes here

  • Do you follow brand standards?

    Yes. I’m familiar with brand requirements for Marriott, Hilton, Hyatt, IHG, and more. This includes:
    – Framing and composition rules
    – Vertical/horizontal deliverables
    – Staging expectations
    – Lighting requirements
    – File sizing + naming conventions

  • Can you help us build the shot list?

    Absolutely. I create detailed shot lists and help your team prioritize spaces based on occupancy, lighting, and marketing goals.

  • Can you photograph newly completed builds?

    Yes. I work with architects, interior designers, developers, and construction teams to capture finished spaces, model units, amenities, exteriors, and commercial environments.

  • Do you collaborate with design teams?

    Frequently. I coordinate directly with architects, designers, and creative directors to ensure the imagery reflects design intent, material choices, spatial flow, and brand identity.

  • What equipment do you use?

    Professional full-frame systems, specialized lenses, stabilized gimbals, portable strobes, continuous lighting, and high-resolution drones where permitted.

  • Do you mix natural and artificial light?

    Yes. My style is clean and editorial. I primarily use natural and ambient light, adding supplemental lighting only when needed to maintain consistency.

  • Can you fly a drone at our property?

    Yes, as long as local FAA restrictions allow it. I check airspace maps before every shoot.

  • Do you shoot tethered?

    Yes — when appropriate, I shoot tethered or semi-tethered to ensure precise framing, lighting balance, and technical accuracy.

  • Do you offer retouching?

    Absolutely. Every delivered image goes through detailed retouching including:
    – Color accuracy
    – Window pulls
    – Vertical correction
    – Object/blemish removal
    – Cleanup of distractions
    – Consistent visual style

  • How much does a hotel or architectural shoot cost?

    Pricing depends on the scope, travel, property size, and licensing needs. Every project receives a custom proposal based on what your team requires.

  • What type of licensing is included?

    Standard licensing covers usage for your hotel, resort, architectural project, or brand. Multi-party licensing (architect + developer + management company) is available when needed.

  • How soon will we receive the final images?

    Typical turnaround is 14 days after selections are received from the client. Rush delivery is available.

  • How are images delivered?

    High-resolution JPGs optimized for both web and print. TIFFs and large-format files available upon request. Delivered via a secure gallery, Dropbox or Google Drive.

  • What do you need from us to begin?

    Just the property name, location, a quick list of spaces you want photographed, and preferred dates. I’ll handle scheduling, shot lists, and planning.

  • How do we book a shoot?

    You can reach out through my contact page anytime or email me directly. I’ll follow up quickly with availability, a proposal, and next steps.

Looking for a Hotel or Architectural Photographer?

I photograph hotels, resorts, architecture, interiors, and commercial spaces for clients across the United States. If you’re preparing for a renovation reveal, brand update, property launch, or fresh creative assets, I’d love to help bring your project to life.