By Michelle Chaplow
Recently Monica Homodes who is a founding partner in IMS Consulting and one of the very best luxury Hotel PR´s in the business, asked if I still had on file copies of photos commissioned 2008 of Gran Hotel La Florida, in Barcelona.
The hotel were unable to retrieve their copies from the original photoshoot. This is a common occurance as staff change, computer equipment change, hard disks can fail and images can indeed be lost forever. It’s a reminder of the importance of not only capturing great photos but also the significance of proper archiving and retrieval. The theme of the photoshoot was private dining and meeting spaces.
Styling and Pivoting
This was a trip down memory lane. A photo shoot with a very flamboyant stylist , who when he realised that he didn’t have enough flowers on hand, he and I ventured into the kitchens and he created a green theme from their gourmet kitchen fridge. Now that is pivoting indeed! The images certainly attracted media attention at the time.
ROI on hotel photography
Thanks to sound and logical archiving, record keeping and two back up copies, I was able to retrieve the exact shots needed. It’s remarkable how those images continue to provide value years later. As long as there’s no refurbishment or significant changes to the space within a hotel, the photos still remain relevant, ensuring the client sees an ongoing return on their investment.
This first-hand example highlights how a well-crafted and preserved image can continue delivering ROI long after it’s taken.
The Gran Hotel La Florida history
The Gran Hotel La Florida is situated on Tibidabo Mountain in Barcelona, has a rich history dating back to 1925. Founded by doctor Andreu as a luxury getaway, it quickly became a favorite destination for Barcelona’s elite and international celebrities. During the Spanish Civil War, the hotel was repurposed as a hospital, and in the post-war years, it fell into disrepair. After decades of abandonment, it was meticulously restored in the early 2000s, reclaiming its status as a five-star retreat with stunning views of Barcelona and the Mediterranean.
Archiving and retrieval of Hotel Photography
Archiving and retrieval aren’t just about safeguarding past work—they’re about ensuring those captured moments can keep contributing to future success. I love historic preservation every hotel photograph, captured today will one day, become a historic image and it is essential that both the hotel and the photographer maintain sound archival systems. Thankfully in this case, we still had the photos on file.
If you have any questions on how to archive the photos from your hotel, we can share our best practices contact us