Blog
Architectural Photography for Capital Gate: The Leaning Tower of Abu Dhabi
Exterior Architecture Photography of Capital Gate building by Gerry O’Leary From the first time I saw the unique shape of the Capital Gate building in Abu Dhabi, I felt inspired. After seeing the photos I’d taken for the Hyatt hotel, which occupies the building’s...
Showcasing Unsung Architectural Icons
Exterior Architecture Photography of King Abdullah Financial District Mosque by Gerry O’Leary One of the privileges of my work is celebrating and sharing phenomenal architecture that is often overlooked, especially when it stands in the shadow of icons like the Burj...
The Magic of Dusk Photography
Exterior Architecture Photography of Burj Al Arab by Gerry O’Leary One of the best times to photograph a building is during dusk, but that window of opportunity is slim in Dubai. Here, I discuss the golden hour, blue hour and why architectural images are better...
The Pros and Cons of People in Architectural Photography
Architectural photography relies on capturing a structure in its best light and putting it into the context of the environment where it lives. Adding people to an image can contribute to the narrative, but it can also distract. Over the course of my career, I have...
The Allure of Natural Light in Hospitality Photography
Dubai Edition bedroom, photograph by Gerry O’Leary Over the course of my career, I’ve seen a number of trends come and go in hotel photography. The staging, the lighting, the mood – the collective conscious gravitates to a trend that we see reflected in images for...
Case Study: SLS Dubai Hotel
Showcasing the unique features of a hotel is essential to a hotel shoot. Following my blog on the fundamentals of a pre-opening shoot shared last week, I decided to take readers on a journey through the key images of one particular hotel, SLS Dubai. SLS Hotel is of...
Hospitality and Hotel Photography: Preparing for a Pre-Opening Shoot
For over 30 years, I have been photographing hotels from America to Hong Kong, which gives me more experience than many who are planning a hotel shoot for the first time. Hospitality and brand imagery build a powerful bridge between hotels and their guests. With an...
Before and After: Interior Hotel Photography at Waldorf Astoria DIFC, UAE
Previously in this series, I’ve presented both interior and exterior photography for renowned hotel brands in different locations. In this blog I take you inside the Cigar Lounge at Waldorf Astoria DIFC in the United Arab Emirates. Before -...
Behind the Scenes at The Chedi, Doha
Hotel & Resort Photography, Qatar: The Chedi, Doha I am on location at The Chedi Katara Hotel & Resort, Doha photographing this beautiful hotel. Come behind the scenes with me to get a glimpse of one of Doha’s luxury hotels, with its extraordinary design and...
What Are The Dream Projects of an Architectural Photographer in the Middle East?
Museum of the Future in Dubai, architecture photography by Gerry O’Leary Every photographer has a list of dream projects that they’d love to capture. I’m incredibly lucky to have photographed some of the most amazing structures[1] on earth, and added architectural...