Hyatt Hotels and Resorts Photography by Gerry O’Leary

hospitality and hotel photography

I have fostered long-term relationships with several of the world’s leading hospitality brands. One of these is Hyatt Hotels and Resorts, and here I share some snapshots of a collaboration that has lasted almost 14 years.

Greetings from Kuwait. I’m currently immersed in a retail photography project for a French luxury goods conglomerate and getting back to work after a personal hiatus.

During the recent months, I have reflected on several of my longstanding collaborations and looked through various portfolios I have built with luxury brands. Sometimes when I’m so busy photographing and ensuring that images are being delivered to my clients, I forget the body of work that has been created for different clients.

I thought it would be nice to share some of the images from my longstanding relationship with Hyatt, a brand whom I am honoured to work with.

Hotel Photography Dubai: Hyatt Regency Creek Heights, Dubai
Hotel photography of Hyatt Regency Creek Heights Dubai

A Short History of Hyatt Hotels

In 1954, the first Hyatt House was opened in Los Angeles by two male entrepreneurs called Hyatt Robert von Dehn and Jack Dyer Crouch. Three years later, Jay Pritzker purchased the motel, with a vision to open hotels near major airports, as air travel was becoming more popular.

Within five years, the company first went public and just six years later, it expanded overseas. Although it has undergone several iterations and conducted several acquisitions, it still remains part of the Pritzker family empire.

Hyatt now has over 1,300 hotels worldwide. It operates on six continents in more than 70 countries with 14 brands under its umbrella, including Grand Hyatt and Park Hyatt, its top tier brands, who I have photographed for extensively.

Hotel Photography of Hyatt Regency Hotels

Lifestyle Photography: Hyatt Regency Dubai
Lifestyle photography at Hyatt Regency Dubai

Hyatt Regency Hotels represent a core brand within the Hyatt portfolio, positioned as an upper-upscale tier in the hospitality market. Known for their contemporary design, exceptional service, and comprehensive amenities, Hyatt Regency properties are strategically located in key urban centres.

The Hyatt Regency Dubai was among the first international luxury hotels in the city, opening in 1980. It was one of the first steel buildings in Dubai and became a go-to destination for both locals and expats alike. Even when I arrived 27 years later, its revolving restaurant was still something of a novelty. The image above this paragraph is from a lifestyle shoot I carried out in 2013 at this hotel, reflecting the local audience.

Further above you can see my exterior photography of Hyatt Regency Creek Heights Dubai, which opened in 2015 and below you’ll find an image I created for Hyatt Regency Sharm El Sheikh in Egypt.

Hotel & Resort Photography: Hyatt Regency Resort, Sharm el Sheikh, Egypt.
Hotel photography at Hyatt Regency Sharm El Sheikh

Photography of Park Hyatt Properties

The Park Hyatt properties are part of Hyatt’s Timeless Collection and are renowned for their understated elegance. Personally, the Park Hyatt Dubai is a favourite of mine, positioned beside Dubai Creek, offering a wonderful vantage point of which to view the new city, while still feeling like you’re in a resort.

Moorish influences at Park Hyatt Dubai, photography Gerry O'Leary
Hotel photography of Park Hyatt Dubai

As an approved photographer for Hyatt, I have had the privilege of capturing the serene beauty and exquisite details of Park Hyatt Hotels in different locations across the Middle East.

My work focuses on reflecting the unique character of each property, from the artful architecture of Park Hyatt Dubai’s domes to the palm-lined water feature shown below at Park Hyatt Jeddah. Every image I create aligns with the brand’s focus on detail, displaying their commitment to luxury hospitality.

Hospitality Photography: Park Hyatt Jeddah
Interior photography at Park Hyatt Regency Jeddah

Photographing Grand Hyatt Hotels Across the Globe

The clue is in the name: Grand. When Grand Hyatt Dubai (which you can see in the first image) opened in 2003, it was the largest in the city with 682 hotel rooms (it now has 710). I had great fun photographing its Baniyas Ballroom, which holds around 2,500 guests. This involved my special ‘string’ method, which those who have worked with me will know about.

The Grand Hyatt Abu Dhabi, which opened in 2018, is no less impressive. These properties stand-out, even in cities where the hospitality standards are exceptionally high. Below you can find an image of one of the sumptuously designed suites at the hotel, which I captured during a shoot a few years ago.

Hospitality Photography: Grand Hyatt Abu Dhabi
Hotel Interior Photography at Grand Hyatt Abu Dhabi by Gerry O’Leary

My Role as an Approved Hospitality Brand Photographer

For the past 13 years, I’ve had the privilege of being an approved photographer for Hyatt, a coveted position that has allowed me to explore and capture the soul of some of the world’s most exquisite hotels.

Over the years, I’ve learned that no two Hyatt hotels are the same. Each property tells its own story, shaped by its location, architecture, and the people who bring it to life. Whether it’s the serene luxury of a beachfront resort or the sophisticated elegance of a city hotel, my goal is always the same: to capture images that resonate with the brand’s ethos while telling a story that is unique to that particular property.

Being an approved photographer for Hyatt for over a decade is not just about adhering to guidelines; it’s about trust and collaboration. The relationship we’ve built over the years is based on mutual respect and a shared commitment to excellence. Hyatt trusts me to understand their brand, to know what they’re looking for, and to deliver images that exceed expectations.

Get in touch if you need hospitality photography in the UAE, Saudi Arabia or India. Feel free to share this article on your LinkedIn or other channels.

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