Capturing the Essence of Arabella Jagdhof: A Marriott Tribute Portfolio Hotel

Nestled near the serene Lake Fuschl in Austria, just a 25-minute drive from my base, lies the Arabella Jagdhof Hotel, a gem transitioning into a Marriott Tribute Portfolio hotel. As a Marriott Approved Hotel Architectural Photographer in the EMEA region, I had the privilege of capturing this stunning property, marking a significant milestone in my goal to expand my photography ventures across Europe.

Project Overview

The Arabella Jagdhof Hotel, previously an independent establishment, is embracing a new identity as part of the Marriott Tribute Portfolio. To understand more about the unique qualities and standards of Marriott's Tribute Portfolio hotels, you can visit Marriott's Tribute Portfolio page. This project was one of five hotels I photographed in five different countries in my first year in EMEA (Not including my USA and Caribbean jobs) in 2023, a testament to my journey as an approved Marriott Photographer for EMEA.

Challenges and Solutions

One of the most significant challenges in this project was capturing the essence of the hotel in different seasons – specifically, the transition from summer to winter. The timing was critical, especially for the summer shots. As the season was drawing to a close, the window to capture the lush greenery and vibrant summer atmosphere was narrowing. Balancing this with my international work trips and a packed photography schedule added to the complexity. However, with meticulous planning and a keen eye on the weather forecasts, we successfully captured the hotel basked in summer's full glory.

The winter shots presented a different challenge. The goal was to photograph the hotel in a winter wonderland setting – blanketed in snow but under clear, sunny skies. This required close coordination with Judith from the marketing team, constantly monitoring the weather conditions at the hotel. Timing was everything. We needed to ensure that we were on-site just after a fresh snowfall and during a clear day to capture the pristine beauty of the hotel in winter. This coordination was crucial and, ultimately, paid off, allowing us to capture the hotel in its magnificent winter setting.

Photography Process

For the Arabella Jagdhof Hotel project, my equipment played a crucial role in capturing the essence of the property. I primarily used my Canon R5, a camera that offers exceptional image quality and versatility. The Canon tilt-shift lenses were my go-to choice as it is for most hotel architectural photographers, allowing me to control perspective and capture the architectural beauty with precision.

An integral part of my process is involving the client in the shoot. To achieve this, I use a CamRanger paired with an iPad Pro, enabling the client to view the shots live. This interactive approach not only ensures client satisfaction but also allows for immediate feedback, making the process efficient and collaborative.

A significant upgrade to my equipment was the transition from the Mavic 2 Pro drone to the new DJI Mavic 3 Classic. The quality of the photographs taken with this drone is astounding. The manual settings offer incredible control, allowing me as a hotel architectural photographer to capture stunning aerial views of the hotel. These drone shots add a unique perspective to the portfolio, showcasing the hotel's layout and its beautiful surroundings in a way that ground-level photography cannot match.

Results and Client Feedback

The client enjoyed working with the iPad Pro and being able to see the images live throughout the shoot. It is a great tool which enables us to tweak the positioning of the camera or items in the shot. In my mind a "must have" for any Hotel Architectural Photographer. I'm pleased to say I got some excellent feedback from the client and they really liked the shots overall, with a few favourites. They were also very pleased that we were able to capture the beauty of the property showing it off in its Summer glory and Winter Wonder too.

The Unique Appeal of Tribute Portfolio Hotels

One aspect that stood out during this project was the distinctiveness of Tribute Portfolio hotels. Each property, including Arabella Jagdhof, boasts its own individual style, yet underpinned by the core Marriott features and culture, offering a unique experience for guests.

Collaborative Efforts and Future Plans

Working closely with Judith from the marketing team and the General Manager, we meticulously planned to capture the winter shots with the perfect blend of snow and clear, sunny skies. This shoot is an ongoing journey, with the next phase set to cover all room types in January and February of 2024.

Bonus Connections

An added advantage of this project was the opportunity to connect with their sister property, the Arabella Alpenhotel in Spitzingsee, Bavaria, Germany. This experience will be the subject of a separate blog post, detailing another enchanting hotel photography adventure.

Conclusion and Call to Action

As a Hotel Architectural Photographer, capturing the Arabella Jagdhof Hotel's essence was a fulfilling experience, showcasing the harmony between architecture and hospitality. For more insights into my work or to discuss your project, visit Winter Park Photography and reach out through Contact Us