Getting yacht photography done and done right

Interior of 130 foot Westport yachtYacht photography for the purposes of advertising and marketing is straightforward. You want photos that make the boat look desirable. If you are selling a boat or marketing a boat for charter, the goals are very clear and uncomplicated:

• Nice running shots with sunny skies and sparkling blue water.
• Interior shots that show off the glamorous designer interior.

Nothing too complicated here. By their very nature, yachts are photogenic subjects. What could possibly go wrong?

Unfortunately, many factors can conspire to make the photo shoot difficult and maybe impossible. Here's a rundown of common problems in getting a successful yacht photo shoot completed.

Situtations where it's difficult to photograph nice running shots and simple solutions:

1. The weather is dark and cloudy. It's better to reschedule for another day.
2. The water is a yukky color. If the yacht can be moved to a better location, you'll get better photos. But, as long as the sky is clear and the light is good, the water could be replaced in Photoshop without too much trouble.
3. The budget doesn't allow for a helicopter aerial shoot. One can fake an aerial is to shooting from a bridge, from the roof or high floor of a tall building, or from a cliff or steep hill. Your options will be limited by your available oppportunities.
4. Time constraints prevent rescheduling to a better day. Schedule photo shoots when the boat doesn't have to rush to meet a charter party or take the owner on vacation the next day. If you absolutely must meet a deadline, you will be stuck with the conditions you get.
5. Mechanical failure. Sometimes, the vessel just does not perform as expected. This can result in the cancellation of a shoot entirely.

Situtations interior yacht photography is problematic and common solutions:

1. The interior is unprepared for photography. The fabulous yacht interiors you see in photos don't always look that way. Often, items are stowed and floors are covered. If a boat is in the yard or undergoing maintenance, this is usually not the best time to shoot. We often suggest shooting when the boat is already looking its best, say for a boat show or open house.
2. The interior isn't complete. This happens more often than one might expect. Often new photo shoots are scheduled to show the new furnishings, decor or finish; but when the yacht photographer arrives, not everything is in its place, perhaps not even on board.
3. No one propped the yacht. Details like fresh flowers, beautiful food, and colorful drinks all make a boat look more appealing. When scheduling a photo shoot, make sure that someone takes responsibility to make sure these these things are done.

To get excellent yacht photography done and done right, follow these three simple (but not always simple to accomplish) rules:

1. Have the boat in the best location possible.
2. Take photos in the best weather possible.
3. Make sure the boat is looking its best.

Photo editing software can do a lot, but the better your original image, the better your final image will be. After all, if one's gone to the trouble and expense to buy a yacht, why not get the best yacht photography possible?

Post by Tracy Datlen, Laser Advertising, Fort Lauderdale

Comments

[Cheoy Lee]

It's so important to get yacht photography done right. Thank you for sharing your advice on how to best achieve beautiful interior and exterior yacht shots!