How to Stage Cruise Ships & Hotels for 360 Degree Shootings

Unlike traditional photography, 360° photo shoots capture the entire environment, leaving no blind spots. This necessitates a meticulous preparation of the venue and a comprehensive shooting plan to guarantee that all relevant areas are documented. It is crucial to create a detailed shot list, covering every desired location and angle, to ensure that no critical aspect of the venue is overlooked.

One of the key challenges in staging a 360-degree photo shoot in a busy venue is minimizing the presence of guests and crew in the shots. Since everyone within the location will be visible, it is essential to carefully schedule the shoot during periods with the least foot traffic. This may involve working outside of regular operating hours or selecting specific times when guest presence is at a minimum.

Effective communication and coordination with on-site staff are vital to the success of a 360° photo shoot. By involving relevant department heads and team members in the planning process, you can ensure that everyone is aware of the shoot’s objectives, requirements, and schedule. This collaboration helps facilitate smooth operations, allowing for last-minute adjustments, efficient crowd control, and proper preparation of the venue for a visually appealing and engaging 360-degree photo shoot.

Choosing the optimal time for the photoshoot is paramount in order to minimize disruptions to daily operations and guest activities. Opt for periods of low occupancy or slow hours to avoid inconveniencing guests and to maintain an uncluttered environment in the shots. Early mornings and late evenings are often ideal, providing ample natural lighting without excessive foot traffic.

Effective communication with on-site staff is vital to a successful photoshoot. Inform relevant departments of the shoot’s schedule and requirements and ensure that the crew is aware of their respective roles during the process. Establish a clear chain of command and designate a point person to handle any last-minute issues that may arise.

Preparing each location within the venue is crucial for capturing visually appealing 360° images. For instance, when setting up a restaurant, ensure that tables are neatly arranged and fully set, with adequate lighting and a clean atmosphere. In a pool area, have towels and sun loungers neatly organized, and maintain the water’s clarity. For a spa, create an inviting ambiance with soft lighting and a serene environment. By paying attention to these details, you will create an immersive and engaging experience for those who view the 360° photos.

Managing crowds and minimizing movement within the frame is essential for producing high-quality 360° photos. Uncontrolled movement can lead to distorted or blurred images that detract from the overall experience. To ensure the best possible results, follow these guidelines for crowd control and movement reduction:

1. Brief guests and staff about the photoshoot, explaining the importance of limiting movement in the designated areas during the shoot. Encourage cooperation and understanding to minimize disruptions.
2. Use physical barriers or signage, when necessary, to temporarily block off areas being photographed. This helps prevent unexpected intrusions and maintains a controlled environment for the shoot.
3. Coordinate with security or designated staff members to monitor the shooting areas, gently reminding guests or crew to avoid walking through the scene while the photoshoot is in progress.
4. Allocate buffer time between shots to allow guests and staff to move through the area as needed, without compromising the quality of the images.

To create an appealing and effective 360° photoshoot, look to your competitors for inspiration and have a clear understanding of your target audience. Analyze the techniques and styles that have resonated with your desired demographic and apply those insights to your own photoshoot.

Ensure your venue is spotless and in top shape before the shoot. Allocate time to clean and prep the space, addressing any maintenance issues or cosmetic flaws. This attention to detail will help present your venue in the best possible light.

Showcase your venue’s versatility by staging it for different events, such as weddings, corporate gatherings, or themed parties. This will allow potential clients to envision how the space can be tailored to their specific needs.

While you want your venue to look its best, it’s crucial to remain honest in the images. Avoid over-editing or manipulating the photos in a way that misrepresents the space, as this can lead to disappointment and negative feedback from clients.

Collaborate closely with your photographer, sharing your vision and expectations for the photoshoot. Provide them with a clear brief, outlining your objectives and any specific angles or features you want to be captured. Maintaining open communication throughout the process will help ensure the final images meet your needs and accurately represent your venue.

EXP360 offers comprehensive content production and venue shooting services to clients around the world. Our global full-service 360° production service uses state-of-the-art equipment to create immersive virtual tours, virtual trainings, virtual wayfinding for indoor navigation, and events that bring your venues, destinations, locations, products, and training sessions to life.

Our professional camera team travels globally to shoot your venue, while we also partner with numerous trusted photographers worldwide. This allows us to provide consistent, high-quality content regardless of the location.

Our content editing team processes your footage in post-production to ensure a consistent, professional look across all your virtual experiences.

Virtual Tours: Our global content production team creates footage of real estate, hotel rooms, apartments, cabins, or venues, making it easy for potential clients to explore your spaces in detail.

Destinations: Our team captures stunning 360-degree images of your destination, drawing attention to your hotspots and providing a perfect preview of the surroundings.

Commercial: We shoot your sites for virtual office and plant tours, enabling your team members to explore your facilities in VR Conference sessions, on phones, desktops, or VR headsets.

Training & HR: We capture your training sessions for operational excellence, supporting your initiatives by creating immersive 360° and VR content. Our team guides the entire virtual training process, from reviewing existing course material to integrating VR trainings into e-learning systems.