The Renovated Bar Harbor Motel: Retro By Nature

Photographing the newly renovated Bar Harbor Motel in Bar Harbor, ME, was an exciting opportunity, marking my very first hotel shoot. The owner was eager to showcase the extensive renovations, which featured a bright and crisp color scheme with green and orange accents, and was particularly proud of the new mural in the dining area. The motel's tagline, "Retro By Nature," perfectly encapsulates the blend of vintage charm and modern updates that make this place unique.

The shoot was focused on using natural light at the beginning and end of the day for the exteriors, capturing the vibrant new look of the motel. For the interiors, I used my regular process of bracketing the shots with a two-light setup to highlight the colors and details. This technique ensured that the bright and crisp color scheme of the renovation was beautifully showcased.

The biggest challenge was getting it all done in just 24 hours. I arrived around 10 o'clock in the morning and shot all day until the sun went down. Then, I was up at first light at around 5 AM to shoot again until around 10 before driving back home to Portsmouth. The tight schedule required careful planning and efficient execution.

My favorite part of the shoot was the clever use of color details throughout the property. Many times, I have to add a pop of color to a shot with props like flowers, a piece of art or a pillow, but the green and orange accents at the Bar Harbor Motel did all the hard work for me. It was a real pleasure to shoot and brought a vibrant, cohesive feel to the images.

As my first hotel shoot, I absolutely loved the experience and am ready to do more! The most challenging aspect was definitely the pace and volume of photos that needed to be taken. Luckily, I came into it with a solid game plan and shot list, which was crucial for managing the workload and ensuring I captured all the necessary shots.

This project at the Bar Harbor Motel was a fantastic introduction to hotel photography. The vibrant colors, thoughtful design, and the owner’s pride in the renovations made it a truly enjoyable shoot. The "Retro By Nature" theme is evident throughout the property, blending nostalgic elements with contemporary style seamlessly.

I’m thrilled to share these images and look forward to more projects like this in the future. If you are looking for professional architectural or hotel photography throughout New England, or want to see more of my work, follow me on Facebook and @kevinedgephotography