Key takeaway
A 360° camera sees everything, in every direction. Most of the quality of a virtual tour comes from preparation: clear surfaces, consistent lighting, an empty space and a plan for which areas matter most.
Why preparation matters more for 360°
In ordinary photography, a photographer chooses what to leave out of the frame. In 360° photography there is no “out of frame”: the camera captures the ceiling, the floor and whatever is behind it. A stack of boxes in a corner or a cleaning trolley in a corridor will appear in the tour.
One week before
- List the areas customers most want to see and agree the capture plan.
- Book the shoot for a time when the space is empty — before opening, between events or during a holiday.
- Fix visible maintenance issues: burnt-out bulbs, stained upholstery, peeling paint.
- Inform staff, and arrange access to locked rooms, rooftops or back-of-house areas you want included.
On the day
- Switch on all lights, including lamps and feature lighting. Replace mismatched bulbs where possible.
- Open curtains and blinds unless the view is unattractive.
- Clear counters, tables and floors of personal items, cables, bins and signage you don't want shown.
- Set tables, beds and displays exactly as you would for a guest or customer.
- Hide or remove screens displaying private information.
- Keep people, pets and vehicles out of the shot, or let the photographer know which areas are busy.
Industry-specific tips
- Hotels: prepare at least one room of every category to arrival standard, and capture the view from windows and balconies.
- Restaurants: use your evening ambience lighting rather than cleaning lights, and set signature tables.
- Wedding venues: if possible, capture halls both empty and dressed, and have capacity figures ready.
- Property: declutter, remove personal photos and note the facing direction of each room.
- Retail: restock and face up shelves, and decide which product zones deserve hotspots.
Privacy and consent
Capture when spaces are empty wherever possible. If people appear in the final panoramas, faces should be blurred unless they have given consent. Avoid capturing documents, screens or number plates that reveal personal information.