Exploring the Colors of Punta Cana

The Dominican Republic's eastern coast is home to the tropical paradise of Punta Cana, which offers a kaleidoscope of hues that captivate the senses and produce life-changing experiences. Punta Cana creates a vibrant picture for every tourist, from the brilliant blue of the immaculate beaches to the passionate crimson of love and romance and the calming green of well-being. Join us as we take you on a tour of the magical location's kaleidoscope of hues.

1. Blue: The Arms of the Ocean The first color that hits you as soon as you set foot on Punta Cana's sandy shoreline is an infinite stretch of vivid blue. The Caribbean Sea's crystal-clear waves beckon you to plunge into their reviving embrace. The azure tones convey a sense of tranquility and serenity whether you're snorkeling among vibrant coral reefs, swimming with tropical fish, or just strolling down the shoreline. You can't help but be in awe of nature's beauty as you listen to the ocean's rhythmic pounding against the shoreline.

2. White: Punta Cana is painted on a blank canvas by powdered white sands that extend as far as the eye can see. This idyllic setting is ideal for unwinding and enjoying the sun. You'll feel the warmth of the Caribbean sun on your skin as the sand tickles your toes while you soak up the rays. You are invited to relax and take in the beauty of the moment by the ideal harmony created by the sharp contrast of the white sand against the intensely blue water.

3. Red: Red represents love and romance in Punta Cana. Couples find themselves immersed in a world of burning love, with magnificent resorts offering hidden retreats and breathtaking panoramas. Red sunsets, which paint the sky in a flaming glow and reflect off the calm seas, create moments that ignite eternal love and connection.

4. Green: The Abundance of Nature Punta Cana's lush landscapes are adorned with the vibrant greens of flourishing vegetation. From swaying palm trees to verdant jungles, the color green symbolizes a sense of well-being and vitality. Immerse yourself in the natural wonders of the region, exploring ecological parks, embarking on hiking trails, or discovering hidden waterfalls. The vibrant green canopy above and the earthy tones below provide a refreshing respite from the outside world, allowing you to reconnect with nature and rejuvenate your spirit.

5. Yellow: The Sun's Golden Kiss In Punta Cana, the color yellow radiates joy and warmth, mirroring the sun's benevolent embrace. With an abundance of sunshine throughout the year, the golden rays breathe life into every corner. Days filled with activities like snorkeling, golfing, or sailing under a clear blue sky are complemented by the sun's radiant energy. From sunrise to sunset, the hues of yellow paint a vivid backdrop for your adventures, infusing your experiences with contagious optimism. All photos by hotel photographer Thiago da Cunha

Conclusion: Punta Cana, a tropical paradise adorned with a vibrant palette, offers a kaleidoscope of colors that leave an indelible mark on every visitor. From the tranquil blues of the ocean to the passionate reds of love and romance, and the soothing greens of well-being, each hue weaves a unique story. Whether you seek relaxation, adventure, or a romantic getaway, Punta Cana's vivid colors, and breathtaking landscapes will transport you to a world where paradise becomes a reality. Embark on your journey and let the vibrant hues of Punta Cana mesmerize your senses and create memories that will last a lifetime.

The Importance of Having the Right Retoucher for Hotel Photography Imagery

Hotel photography is an essential aspect of the hospitality industry. The images captured by photographers help potential guests make informed decisions about which hotel to book. It is important to have high-quality images that accurately depict the hotel's features, amenities, and rooms. However, achieving this level of quality is often a challenge, especially when it comes to retouching.

Retouching hotel photography imagery is different from other types of photo retouching because it involves fixing specific problems that are unique to hotel photography. Unlike traditional portrait or landscape photography, hotel photography has to deal with wrinkles in beds and pillows, reflections on windows, dirty floors, ceilings, walls, and tables, and many other issues. Professional retouching starts on location and not while using photoshop, and it's essential to have the right retoucher to ensure that the final images accurately reflect the hotel's true beauty.

One of the most critical aspects of hotel photography is ensuring that the beds and pillows look crisp and clean. A bed is one of the most significant items in a hotel room, and it's essential that it looks comfortable and inviting. Unfortunately, it's challenging to keep beds wrinkle-free, especially during a photoshoot. A skilled retoucher can smooth out wrinkles and make the bed look as if it's freshly made.

Another common issue in hotel photography is reflections on windows. Windows can reflect the surroundings, causing distracting reflections in the final images. A skilled retoucher can remove these reflections and make the windows look clean and clear. This will not only make the final images look better but also allow potential guests to get a clear view of the hotel's surroundings.

Dirty floors, ceilings, walls, and tables are also common problems in hotel photography. These elements can detract from the overall quality of the images and give a negative impression of the hotel's cleanliness. A professional retoucher can remove dirt and stains, making the hotel look spotless and welcoming. This is essential in creating an inviting and appealing atmosphere for potential guests.

In addition to fixing these specific problems, a skilled retoucher can also enhance the overall look of the images. This can include adjusting the lighting, color correction, and sharpening the images. A retoucher with experience in hotel photography will understand the importance of maintaining the hotel's true character and style while making the necessary improvements.

It's crucial to remember that professional retouching starts on location, not in photoshop. A skilled retoucher will work with the photographer to make sure that the images are captured in the best possible way. This could include adjusting the lighting, positioning the camera, and making sure that the background is clear and uncluttered. By starting on location, the retoucher can minimize the amount of work that needs to be done in photoshop and ensure that the final images accurately reflect the hotel's true beauty.

In conclusion, having the right retoucher for hotel photography imagery is essential. Hotel photography is an essential aspect of the hospitality industry, and high-quality images are critical in attracting potential guests. A skilled retoucher can fix specific problems that are unique to hotel photography and enhance the overall look of the images. By working with the photographer on location, the retoucher can ensure that the final images accurately reflect the hotel's true beauty.

If you're a hotel owner or manager, it's important to invest in high-quality hotel photography and retouching services. By doing so, you'll attract more potential guests and create a positive first impression of your hotel. Don't compromise on quality when it comes to your hotel photography. 

Professional Hotel Videography

Professional hotel videography is an increasingly popular way for hotels and resorts to showcase their properties and attract potential guests. A well-made video can capture the beauty and unique features of a property, providing a dynamic and engaging experience for viewers.

One of the key advantages of professional hotel videography is that it allows hotels to showcase their properties in a way that still photography simply cannot. A video can give viewers a sense of the atmosphere and ambiance of a property, as well as the layout and design of the guest rooms and common areas. This can help potential guests to get a feel for the property and decide if it is the right fit for them.

Another benefit of professional hotel videography is that it can be a highly effective marketing tool. In the age of social media and online travel booking, more and more people are turning to the internet to research and book their travel accommodations. A well-made video can be a powerful way to grab the attention of potential guests and convince them to book a stay at your property.

When it comes to creating professional hotel videography, there are a few key things to keep in mind. First and foremost, it is important to work with a skilled and experienced videographer who knows how to capture the unique features of your property in a visually appealing way. They should be able to use a variety of camera angles, lighting techniques, and other tools to create a video that is both beautiful and engaging.

In addition to the technical aspects of videography, it is also important to think about the content of the video. The video should showcase the key features and amenities of the property, such as the guest rooms, restaurants, and recreational facilities. It should also highlight the unique selling points of the property, such as its location, design, or service.

Finally, it is important to consider how the video will be used. It can be featured on the hotel's website, social media pages, and other marketing materials. It can also be shared with travel bloggers and influencers, who can help to promote the property to their followers.

Overall, professional hotel videography is a valuable tool for hotels and resorts looking to showcase their properties and attract potential guests. By working with a skilled videographer and creating engaging content, hotels can create a dynamic and compelling video that will help to drive bookings and boost their bottom line.

This is a sample of professional hotel photography. All shots were made in the Dominican Republic.

What is Hotel Photography

Hotel photography is a type of photography that focuses on capturing the features and amenities of a hotel or resort in order to promote the property and attract potential guests. Hotel photography typically involves taking photos of the exterior and interior of the property, as well as the guest rooms and common areas. These photos are often used in hotel marketing materials, such as websites, brochures, and social media posts. The goal of hotel photography is to showcase the property in the best possible light and create an appealing visual representation of what guests can expect when they visit. Hotel photographers often use specialized equipment, such as tilt-shift lenses and high-resolution cameras, to capture the full scope and beauty of the property. Tilt-shift lenses are a type of lens that are commonly used in photography and videography. These lenses are distinguished by their ability to adjust the angle of the lens plane in relation to the film or digital sensor plane, which allows for creative control over the image's appearance. Tilt-shift lenses are often used in architecture, product, and landscape photography, as well as in filmmaking. Hotel photographer use tilt-shift lenses to have more control of the vertical and horizontal lines on a certain space. In short, all vertical lines should be vertical and should not converge.

Below are some samples.

Highlighting the Beauty and Luxury of Dominican Hotels through Professional Photography

The Dominican Republic is known for its stunning natural beauty, with its crystal-clear waters, white sandy beaches, and lush green forests. It is also home to some of the most luxurious and impressive hotels in the Caribbean.

Professional photography is the key to showcasing the beauty and luxury of Dominican hotels. High-quality images can capture the unique features and stunning architecture of these properties, giving potential guests a sense of what it would be like to stay in one of these hotels.

Professional photographers have the expertise and equipment necessary to capture the best possible images of Dominican hotels. They know how to use lighting and composition to highlight the features that make these hotels special, such as their expansive guest rooms, private pools, and breathtaking views.

In addition to capturing the exterior of these hotels, professional photographers can also capture images of the interior, showcasing the luxurious finishes and details that make these hotels truly unique. They can also capture images of the surrounding areas, highlighting the natural beauty and amenities that make the Dominican Republic such a desirable destination for travelers.

Investing in professional photography for your Dominican hotel is an investment in its success. High-quality images can help you attract potential guests, and can be used in your marketing and advertising efforts to showcase the beauty of your property.

Here are some samples.

Showcasing the Beauty of Dominican Luxury Homes through Professional Photography

The Dominican Republic is known for its stunning natural beauty, with its crystal-clear waters, white sandy beaches, and lush green forests. It is also home to some of the most luxurious and impressive homes in the Caribbean.

Professional photography is the key to showcasing the beauty and luxury of Dominican homes. High-quality images can capture the unique features and stunning architecture of these properties, giving potential buyers and renters a sense of what it would be like to live in one of these homes.

Professional photographers have the expertise and equipment necessary to capture the best possible images of Dominican luxury homes. They know how to use lighting and composition to highlight the features that make these homes special, such as their expansive living spaces, private pools, and breathtaking views.

In addition to capturing the exterior of these homes, professional photographers can also capture images of the interior, showcasing the luxurious finishes and details that make these homes truly unique. They can also capture images of the surrounding areas, highlighting the natural beauty and amenities that make the Dominican Republic such a desirable place to live.

Investing in professional photography for your Dominican luxury home is an investment in its success. High-quality images can help you attract potential buyers and renters, and can be used in your marketing and advertising efforts to showcase the beauty of your property.

Professional photographers can help you capture stunning images that will make your property stand out and attract potential buyers and renters.

"Capturing the Beauty of Your Hotel: The Importance of Professional Hotel Photography"

As a hotel owner or manager, you know that first impressions are crucial. When potential guests are looking for a place to stay, they will often do some research online before making a decision. One of the first things they will see is the photos of your hotel.

High-quality, professional hotel photography is essential for showcasing the beauty and unique features of your property. It can make all the difference in attracting guests and convincing them to book a stay at your hotel.

Professional hotel photographers have the expertise and equipment necessary to capture the best possible images of your hotel. They know how to use lighting and composition to highlight the features that make your hotel stand out, such as its stunning architecture, luxurious guest rooms, and beautiful grounds.

In addition to showcasing the exterior and interior of your hotel, professional hotel photographers can also capture images of your amenities, such as your restaurant, spa, and fitness center. These images can give potential guests a sense of what it would be like to experience your hotel for themselves.

Investing in professional hotel photography is an investment in the success of your business. High-quality images of your hotel can help you stand out from the competition and attract more guests. They can also be used in your marketing and advertising efforts, giving potential guests a glimpse of the experience they can expect at your hotel.

So, if you want to showcase the beauty of your hotel and attract more guests, consider hiring a professional hotel photographer. They can help you capture stunning images that will make your hotel stand out and drive bookings.

Dominican Republic Hotel Photography

Caribbean islands are known for bright natural saturated colors and crystal clear waters. The Dominican Republic is the largest of the Caribbean Islands and it lives particularly from 2 main sources of revenue: tourism and customs.

With well over 80,000 hotel rooms as of 2022, the Dominican Republic has the highest number of rooms in the Caribbean. And, as far as I know, 200,000 more rooms are being approved or have already been approved for construction. Basically, hotels are here to stay for a long time God willing no more pandemics and less Sargazo!

I studied hotel management back in the late ’80s and early ’90s. I actually graduated in 1992 with a bachelor’s degree in hotel management. So I know a thing or two about the local Dominican hotel industry. One of the first things I noticed was the lack of professional hotel photography. I mean, Dominicans have the location, the service, the smiles, and the quality (I might add )in many hotels all over the island. But at that time photography was not as important as it is today. Nowadays people search first the web to find out about the hotel or resort they want to stay at. And the web is graphic, the web is imagery, and the web is also inferior without photography. Basically, the first thing a client sees of a place searched is a photo (most likely).

Dominican Republic hotel photography has to be shot (both exterior and interior) at the right time and with the right equipment. Phones will not get any close to today’s professional camera quality. There is no way around it, if you want professional results, hire a professional. If it is too expensive, imagine what a cheap photographer would be! That certainly will be expensive in the end (wasted money with no professional results). Also, remember that a professional hotel photographer will have a great retouching team working in the back. Post-production is extremely important, maybe so as the shoot itself. I once had a client with very dirty rugs in their meeting and conference areas and somehow my team clean them up 80%! Of course, you pay for what you get, but it is definitely worth it!

Hotel chains such as Barceló, Meliá, Iberostar, Princess, Hilton, Marriott, Aman, and many more are here to stay. Some have been here for over 30 years. With high-quality imagery, these hotels can have the look they deserve. Many know the importance of professional photography and are already having great results.

Since I am already living in the Dominican Republic and photographing hotels for a living, I am only an email away from having great hotel photography in the Dominican Republic.

#dominicanrepublichotelphotography #hotelphotographydominicanrepublic #hotelphotographydr #caribbeanhotelphotography

Live Aqua Punta Cana pool building at sunset.

Live Aqua Punta Cana main lobby/ bar area. I shot this at night so to have less people.

Lifestyle Los Corales Golf Course I shot for Grupo Puntacana during sunrise. Everything from the time, shadows, clothing, and talent’s poses was pre-programmed.

Worlds Best Hotel Photographers

I will attempt to put together an exercise with this article so to find the world’s best hotel photographers. Listed below are very important points which should lead you, in the end, to find the best hotel photographers.

Hotel photography is a sub-niche of photography as well as interiors, architecture, and real estate photography. With this, the photographer is showing spaces, designs, and structural concepts. Some use natural light with automated software and some (like me) make use of natural and artificial light to blend them together manually with an extraordinary professional outcome. So here is the first clue. Does this photographer use automated software in post-production? Photos from automated processes usually look muddy and lack contrast, volume, and detail. If so, this is a big no-no for hotel photography which must be done with real lighting knowledge and post-production.

I became a hotel photographer because I studied hotel management. This is what makes my work so unique from others hotel photographers. One thing is knowing to light up a space, another is to do that in addition to knowing the insides and outs of the hospitality industry. This can only be achieved if you’ve worked in the industry or if you have studied it. This is a very important point to keep in mind when searching for the best hotel photographers.

I have to state this so as to keep it on top of my mind and from this thinking move on to describing what exactly is a hotel photographer. Hotel photographers are usually hired by a hotel or hotel brand to photograph different spaces of a hotel such as lobbies, pools, bars, restaurants, beaches, meeting rooms, and the different types of rooms the hotel offers. This is all part of what a hotel photographer should photograph. So coordination and scheduling are also very important points that a hotel photographer should have. So keep in mind this also for your search.

Next, I will be the photographer’s website. If that photographer directs you to his Instagram or Facebook and does not have a website, that is another point to think about. If there is a website, look and see if it is organized. Is there only hotel pictures there? If the website has too many different types of photography, that certainly is a problem because it shows that it is not a specialized hotel photographer. Another point to keep in mind.

When contacting the photographer, how long does he/she take to answer? Does he/she have a professional-looking signature at the bottom of the email with all important information such as full name, phone, and website? Is there a logo? This is another thing to keep in mind for your search.

Also, see if this photographer has a professional email. If there is a Gmail at the end of its email, think twice about his/her professionalism.

Finally, try to find out what people think of this photographer. You can have the best photographer, but if the photographer is constantly problematic, that is another point to consider. People want to work with nice, educated, and punctual photographers.

In short, the best way to find the world’s best hotel photographers is to search not only by location but also with all of the hints and points stated above. If the photographer checks all of the above, you are good to go, even if the photographer is from out of town. Buying an airfare for a photographer that will deliver spectacular imagery that will be used for years to come does make sense.

Thiago da Cunha

Hotel Photographer

info@thiagodacunhaphotography.com

Finest resort bird’s eye view of one of the many pool areas with palm trees .

A top down aerial shot of two people relaxing and swimming on a Live Aqua Resort pool.

Sunset shot of the main pool with wet bar and restaurant at the Live Aqua Punta Cana Resort.

Branding for Hotels

The part of branding I work with is visual. I work with photos and videos for hotels in the Dominican Republic. Visual branding is necessary, and more so now with social media where we have "free" (to some extent) to advertise our business. And, if we want to pay for it, it is still (as of this publication) relatively cheap compared to traditional channels such as magazines, newspapers, and television. All of these are on social media equally but not the other way around.

Chaise lounge chairs mid pool during a sunny day at the Live Aqua Resort Punta Cana.

The hotel industry relies heavily on promotion and marketing. Social media offers the opportunity to approach your target audience with ease. This, consequently, leaves much more marketing money that was previously spent on other communication channels to invest in professional photography and video with good quality.

Cell phones, tablets, and laptops are so normal nowadays that it is logical to use them as marketing channels.

But before hotel marketing, there is branding. Hotel branding is who you are as a company. Hotel branding shows up in colors, logos, typography, etc. Hotel branding identifies the hotel.

Hotel brands give much importance to online branding now more than ever.

For this reason, and because it is a visual business scenario, professional photography and videography have climbed to a position never seen before. These two promotional juggernauts address a broad sector of hotel visual marketing.

Hotel photography and videography are discovering new habits in travelers. Letting this be known on social networks in 15 to 30 seconds and offering a visual impact is only for professionals. Telling a story in such a short time and capturing visual attention is fundamental for a professional hotel photographer.

In my hotel shoots and videos, I try to convey a message to the traveler. This message has to include part of the branding as well as contemporary visual techniques.

Attached are some visuals of such content.

Branding Para Hoteles República Dominicana

La parte del branding con la cual trabajo es la visual. Con las fotos y videos para hoteles en República Dominicana, el branding visual es necesario y más ahora con las redes sociales donde tenemos “gratis” (hasta cierto punto) hacer publicidad de nuestro negocio. Y si lo queremos pagar, como quiera sigue siendo (al día de esta publicación) relativamente barato en comparación con canales tradicionales como las revistas, periódicos y televisión. Todos estos están en las redes sociales por igual pero no al contrario.

Dreams Macao Beach Punta Cana

La industria hotelera depende enormemente en la promoción y marketing. Las redes sociales ofrecen la oportunidad de acercarse a su público “target” con facilidad. Esto, por consecuencia, deja mucho más dinero del marketing que antes estaba dirigido a otros canales de comunicación para invertir en la fotografía y video profesional con buena calidad.

Los celulares, tabletas y laptops son tan normales hoy en día que es lógico hacer uso de estos como canales de marketing.

Pero antes del mercadeo de un hotel, existe el branding. El branding hotelero es lo que eres como compañía. El branding hotelero se identifica en colores, logos, tipografía, etc. Básicamente, el branding de hoteles identifica la marca de este.

Es de conocimiento general que las marcas hoteleras dan mucha importancia al branding online ahora más que nunca.

Por tal razón, y por ser un escenario comercial visual, la fotografía y videografía profesional han escalado a una posición nunca antes visto. Estos dos monstruos de la promoción abordan un amplio sector del marketing visual hotelero.

La fotografía y videografía hotelera esta descubriendo nuevas costumbres en los viajantes. Dejarlas conocer en las redes sociales en 15 o 30 segundos y que den un impacto visual es sólo para profesionales. Contar algún tipo de historia en tan poco tiempo y captar la atención visual es fundamentalmente para un fotógrafo hotelero profesional.

En mis filmaciones y fotos de hoteles trato de transmitir un mensaje al viajante. Este mensaje tiene que incluir parte del branding de la marca al igual que técnicas visuales contemporáneas.

Anexo algunas visuales de tal contenido.

Punta Cana Real Estate Photo

I’ve been traveling to Punta Cana for the longest time. Well, I have been living in the DR for so long that I don’t even know or imagen how many times I drove from Santo Domingo to Punta Cana for real estate photo shoots. Nevertheless, I do remember the original Punta Cana Hotel (now abandoned) and real estate wasn’t a big business back then.

Real estate photographers in Punta Cana (and, for that matter, all over the Dominican Republic) have to know that the best photos that sell are the ones done with professional lighting, with real know-how about lighting, and not with automatic software. To sell a property with photos, the photographer has to know about light and how it changes, and about lighting setups.

One of the most important things about real estate photography in Punta Cana are the angles. Professional Punta Cana real estate photographers know that the right and perfect angle of a particular space comes with knowledge. The views are so important in real estate photography. This is probably one of the most important aspects of interiors photography.

For Punta Cana real estate photos, please contact Thiago da Cunha at www.thiagodacunha.com .

Punta Cana Videos

After 5 years in studying Hotel Management, I did notice a lack of photo and video quality in the hotel brochures and marketing material. During this periods (1987-1992), my goal was to be a hotel manager. I had loved hotels ever since my father took me to one (The Jack Tar Village in Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic). This was early 1980's, I was about 12 years old. As I know it today, Jack Tar Village in Playa Dorada during that particular time was the first all inclusive resort in the Dominican Republic. Maybe in the Caribbean.

After many years of growth in Puerto Plata, tourist destinations moved mainly to Punta Cana. With an estimated 4.94 million tourists visiting the Dominican Republic by 2025, it is no secret that all things tourism in the DR will have an increase.

Because of this, Punta Cana videos productions must have the quality to compete with other markets. Punta Cana video and photography shoots are very important for the visual marketing. Slowly I became not just a hotel photographer but also offer video productions in the Dominican Republic, mainly for Punta Cana hotels.

Please take a look below to see Punta Cana videos samples I have shot.

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Dominican Republic Hotel Video Productions

Video productions are very important for hotel marketing, especially in Punta Cana. Professional hotel videos and photos give a particular point once a client enters a hotel's website. The "sale" begins here. From then on, it is up to the hotel website look and feels to keep the client there. Words, fonts, logos, and physical aspects of the website all decide if a client stays or leaves this space. Here is where compelling hotel video production does the difference.

Here are a few hotel video productions tips simplified:

1 - The hotel video quality depends mostly on the budget. Lights, crew, talents, video equipment, etc., all depend on the hotel's budget. If you want big results, you know you have to spend big. If the hotel does not have the budget but needs the video, it is a good idea to partner with other suppliers such as architects, interior designers, decorators, real estate, and construction companies that are or were part of the original project. All of them need good professional hotel videography and photography.

2- Search, it is searching online for a specific word that you will find it. Instead of "the best Caribbean hotel photography", search for "Dominican Republic hotel photographer", or "Dominican hotel video production" (if searching specifically for hotel video production in the Dominican Republic). With a quick Google search perhaps using incognito or private mode you will see very good results in the few first pages. Be very specific when searching. "Dominican Republic hotel video productions" will give you a very different result if you type "hotel video productions". Why? Well, there are many videographers that shoot for weddings and you are looking for one that does hotels, not weddings. These are 2 very different worlds.

4- Be respectful of prices. By looking into the photographer's or videographer's website, you can fairly make a professional decision. If it is really good, please pay that money. It is worth it. Professional video and photo productions will give you many years of marketing material and it has to be of good quality. Now, if it is not in your budget, state this, and negotiations will start from there. Just like any business, photographers and videographers have to pay taxes if they have a formal company. I suggest using only people that have done the work many times before and have a formal hotel photography and videography company. You can have an educated guess with this by how their website looks, and by how their email is set up when they respond.

Punta Cana Films, video and Photos

We film videos and photograph many hotels in Punta Cana. As you see from these images, many of the hotel projects are huge. We mostly film with professional DSLR’s and use drones for aerial footage (starting at about US $ 3,000 depending on the project). And, if budget permits, we also shoot with cine lights, kinos, Arri’s, Red or Alexa cameras complete with a crew. We have directed countless hotel videos in Punta Cana. Hotel photoshoots are also important for marketing and when combined with video, the outcome is impeccable.

Playa Bávaro and the Hotel Lopesan

Playa Bávaro

Hotel Selectum in Playa Macao

Shooting video in Punta Cana is almost considered a must because of social media. More and more people are getting on these platforms to look at photos and videos from hotels and resorts they are interested in. The video/film format is particularly engaging and people tend to spend more time watching them.

Having professional videos and photos of your hotel will produce outstanding and outgoing marketing material for years to come. Influencers that visit your hotel have a different point of view. For sure they don't know the standard hotel guidelines or your brand's photo and video instructions. Before we start any photo or video production in Punta Cana, we first ask for any specific guidelines that the hotel might have. We start production only after studying these specifications. This way we can guarantee that the entire project will be accepted by the brand's marketing team and could be potentially used worldwide.

We worry about every small detail like the bed making, the table setting, and even the way a waiter is serving food. The hospitality industry has many key basic standards and we know them. All of the above mentioned combined will make your Punta Cana photo and video production accepted within these principles.

In summary, we offer Punta Cana video solutions focused mainly on real estate, luxury homes, yacht, and hospitality industry.

Hospitality Photographers

How can you find a good hospitality photographer? First and foremost, please check the photographer’s website, even if he was very well-referred by a friend or colleague. Many people still think that a photographer can shoot anything, and this is so very wrong. Like all other professions, there are photographers who specialize in different matters. So, check this photographer’s website to confirm that well over 80% of this work has to do with hotels, resorts, or at least interior photography. Photographers that have a bit of everything on their website are not specialized and should be avoided.

Make sure their images have horizontals and verticals lines straight. It is a common mistake from amateur photographers not to know that a column should be straight and that horizontals should be, well, horizontal. Not to one side as often seen on social media and on websites.

Also make sure that, when contacted, he knows about the hospitality industry. Hotel photographers should know how to set up a proper table and how to make a bed according to industry standards, just to name 2 matters. Look for photos where the curtains are open and that you can see the view, for example, from a hotel room. Photographers that have all curtains closed on their photos usually don’t know how to light a space and close windows so as not to worry about this.

If your property belongs to a well-known hotel chain, make sure you and the photographer know the photo guidelines. I have redone hotel photoshoots just because photos were not approved by the brand and were not even allowed into the system.

Price. Is the photographer is too cheap, move on. Professional hotel photographers are well established and know their price points. An average rate should be written in the brand's photo guidelines site as well so you should know the basic ballpark of what to expect.

Hospitality photographers have assistants so expect to have at least 2 or 3 rooms just for crew. F&B rooms should be offered by the hotel.

Don’t ask about his/her equipment. It does not matter if a Nikon, Canon, Sony, or Hasselblad camera is used. How the lighting is set up for each space is what is most important. Just make sure you are ok with the kind of imagery on that photographer’s website and that high res images are to be delivered in the end. Tif or 300 dpi jpg’s are most common.

A plus, like in my case, is to know if the photographer has studied or worked in a hotel. Not as a photographer, but as an employee. You don’t even imagen how many problems I have quickly solved just because I have worked in hotels. Having actually studied hotel management is of course my most unique advantage.

Hope you enjoy these sample images.

Thiago

Caribbean Hotel Photography

For the past 30 years I’ve been a photographer working in and around the Caribbean, particularly in the Dominican Republic.

Having well over 7 million tourists per year, the Dominican Republic has a big piece of the almost 30 million tourists that visit the Caribbean. So it is a very important Caribbean destination indeed.

For the most part, Caribbean visitors come from the US, Canada Europe, and the United Kingdom. Altogether they contribute more than 37 billion to the Caribbean economy. This of course includes cruise passengers.

The most visited countries in the Caribbean are the Dominican Republic, Cuba, Jamaica, Bahamas, and Puerto Rico. In all, tourism in the Caribbean grew about 4.4% in 2019 despite the very strange media reports about deaths in the Dominican Republic, the main Caribbean Island.

Having still not gotten over the Covid19 impact (as of July 06, 2020), it is right now hard to have specific tourism data but the numbers don’t look good at all. All Caribbean countries have locked down and many lost the first 6-7 months of the 2020 calendar. Caribbean Islands still have to go through the hurricane season son that is something to think about.

For the most part, 2020 will be a year to forget overall, but also a year to reflect upon. Rethinking tourism, rethinking services and protocols are now important and should be the new normal at least until the world gets out of the Coronavirus.

Thiago da Cunha

Covid19 and the Dominican Hospitality New Normal Videos

New Virus, New Regulations for the Hospitality Industry

As of April of 2020, new worldwide hospitality regulations started to appear on the internet. Most are actually just a more vigorous approach to hotel cleaning. The face mask is what makes it a bit uncomfortable to wear particularly in hot climates like in the Dominican Republic.

Disinfecting all areas was already a norm, but because of the Coronavirus, a much rigid and constant disinfection will be necessary. Pools, rooms, lobby areas, elevators, bathrooms, bars, restaurants all will have to get these new normal procedures of cleaning.

I shot this short little video just to make a top of mind set that yes disinfecting every hotel area is possible. Dominican hotels want to make sure people who come to visit know that Dominicans care and are ready to receive visitors.

Those who come and visit first the Dominican Republic will have the opportunity to see a much change to the better place. Not just because of the new cleaning procedures, but because nature has taken a breath of fresh air and relaxed a bit from all human activity. The air, rivers and oceans are so much cleaner.

I have been offered to shoot a couple more of these new regulations concerning Covid19 videos for 3 different hotel brands. These educational and instructional Covid19 hotel videos are very important not just to the visitor of the hotel, but also for the employees.

Everyone has to put a bit of heart and time to these new times hoping that everything will return to normal in the near future.

Dominican Republic Best Photographers

Having over 40 years on this beautiful island, I do know a thing or two about all things photography with Dominican photographers. It also helps that I actually started a photography group back in the ’90s called Sociedad Fotográfica de la República Dominicana. Even though it is a dead group now, it did many photo-related activities and many Dominican photographers joined in. So I knew them all basically. These were pre-Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube days.

Because of this and my many years living here, I know many of the photographers here in the Dominican Republic. Particularly those of my age (50). New photographers from recent years with thousands of Instagram followers are well known also, but just on that platform in my opinion. When searching for these photographers on Google, nothing comes up except their Instagram account. No Linkedin, no YouTube. Many don’t even have professional websites. Some are drone photographers that hardly know about aperture, shutter speed, and ISO. But, nevertheless, they are Dominican photographers.

As for myself, trying to stay focus on the long game is primordial. I try to make sure and keep on shooting for architecture, interiors, and hotel photography here in the Dominican Republic. Other Dominican photographers are best on wedding photography, some on children and newborn (something I tend to find extremely hard to photograph), some on sports and some for magazines and newspapers. Fashion is not a big thing to shoot here on the island but there are a couple of months a year that a couple of Dominican fashion photographers appear because of the Dominicana Moda Fashion Week. But apart from this, nothing else.

I know of new photographers particularly from where I live, in Punta Cana. They pop out of Instagram and seem to come and go, shooting for weddings. Punta Cana is known for its hotels and beautiful beaches, so many weddings and destination weddings take place here. Some Dominican wedding photographers drive all the way from the capital of the island, Santo Domingo, to shoot pre-wedding sessions and weddings. I did this for well over 15 years before slowly transitioning to architectural, interiors, and hotel photography.

In conclusion, there are diverse photography groups here in the DR but many stick to weddings. It is a constant and continuous industry and the flow of activities is a must. I’m in the hotel industry photographing mainly hotels and resorts. Trying to make an impression on the Dominican Republic's best photographers.

La Fotografía de Hoteles en la República Dominicana

Desde que terminé mis estudios de hostelería de la PUCMM, empecé prácticamente a trabajar de inmediato en hoteles como fotógrafo. Para aquel entonces, me contrataron como fotógrafo de vacaciones. Estos son los fotógrafo que hacen las fotos a los vacacionistas en los resorts, particularmente durante alguna excursión o evento particular dentro del hotel como fiestas o juegos. Estas fotos luego son vendidas en el photo shop del hotel.

Luego de hacer este trabajo tanto en República Dominicana como en Las Bahamas, empecé hacer fotos para los hotels, para su marca, no a los vacacionistas. Esta transformación duró unos 10 años.

Al trabajar con marcas de renombre internacional como Hilton, Sheraton, Marriott, Meliá, Iberostar, Aman, AmResorts y Barceló, decidí enfocarme únicamente hoteles para así tener el top of mind de fotógrafo de hoteles en la República Dominicana. Al estar la República Dominicana en el Caribe, pues mi enfoque en un poco más constante en esta zona que por ejemplo Europa aunque ya he hechos fotos para hoteles allá.

Tener mi base en la República Dominicana es una fortuna ya que puedo moverme rápidamente de esta isla central a cualquier parte del Caribe en pocas horas. Miami, por ejemplo, esta a sólo unas 2.5 horas. Mexico, a unas 4 horas de vuelo. A Las Bahamas con conexión en Miami, unas 5 horas. La ventaja de estar localizada justo en el medio del Caribe hace a la República Dominicana un verdadero centro de viajes.

Creo pues, que el estudiar hostelería en este país tan importante para el turismo, me hace más lleno de conocimiento sobre la industria, y esto es sumamente importante el momento de hacer las fotos para estos hoteles de marca internacional. Conocer los brand photo guidelines de cada marca es en realidad una ventaja ya que puedo fotografiar para estas sin tener mi cliente que preocuparse de estos detalles.

Durante estos años he tratado de subir el nivel fotográfico a uno con mucha profesionalidad y calidad fotográfica para orgullo de los hoteles de la República Dominicana.