One Angle, Two Seasons of Seasonal Hotel Photography

Image: Image 2 (top row, second from left) — Winter drone shot slightly lower angle

Late summer gave us vibrant greens and reflections in the lake. The winter version transformed the scene into something out of a Bond film: crisp, powerful, cinematic. Both seasons have their charm, but telling the story through the same vantage point in two completely different environments makes it powerful.

This shoot became one of my favorite examples of seasonal hotel photography — simple, patient, and revealing.

Chasing the Winter Light

The winter shoot came with a narrow 30-minute lighting window where the resort is illuminated before falling into deep shade. Flying the Mavic 3 Classic in sub-zero temperatures also added a layer of difficulty. I relied on thermal gear, hand warmers, and battery-saving techniques to get the shot right the first time. ND filters were essential to counter the glare from fresh snow.

Visual Consistency Across Seasons

Although I used a similar drone angle, I didn’t aim for pixel-perfect precision. Each season brought different lighting conditions and foliage. In summer, thick tree cover limited the visibility of the architecture, whereas winter stripped everything back to form and contrast. Planning tools helped me match the angle and optimize for sun direction.

Seasonal hotel photography really shines when weather, light, and foliage shift so dramatically while the composition stays the same.

Boutique Hotel Strategy

Arabella Hospitality’s strategy is sharp. They update the hero images online just before each season—targeting guests who dream about what’s coming next. According to Emersion Wellness, hotels that align photography updates with seasonal travel behaviour see a measurable bump in bookings. It makes emotional and strategic sense.
It’s a reminder of why I love seasonal hotel photography: small changes in nature can completely transform a story.