Case Study: Sonder Revival Apartments English Bay. Elevating Perception Through Strategic Photography
In Fall 2023, I was commissioned to photograph Sonder Revival Apartments in Vancouver’s English Bay. The goal was to capture the personality of the property and present it in a way that felt inviting, aspirational, and true to its coastal urban charm.
Visual Strategy: Bridging Historic Character & Modern Comfort
The brief emphasized the need to preserve the character of the building while showcasing its refreshed interiors. I approached the shoot with two key objectives:
Highlight the unique heritage architecture with warm, natural lighting and thoughtful composition.
Convey a lived-in feel that would make potential guests envision themselves relaxing in the space. Whether enjoying a morning coffee by the window or taking a short 5 minute walk to the nearby English Bay beach.
Making deliberate choices in lighting and framing to create images that felt editorial, clean, and emotionally resonant. Natural light and context-driven details helped the apartments feel more spacious, elegant, and rooted in place.
The Results: A Shift in Perception & Guest Experience
In the months following the shoot, I began noticing a spike in positive guest reviews. Comments praised not only the location and comfort but also the “look and feel” of the apartments. Many describing them as “beautiful,” “exactly as pictured,” and “better than expected.” This feedback directly reflects the kind of trust high-quality photography helps build.
Here’s what changed after the updated visuals went live:
Increased Positive Reviews: Guests began specifically referencing the aesthetics of the space in their reviews—something not as common before the photo refresh.
Improved Booking Confidence: Professional, aspirational images reduced uncertainty for travelers and helped align expectations with the real experience.
• Enhanced Listing Presence: The photos stood out across listing platforms, making Sonder Revival Apartmentsmore competitive in a dense hospitality market like Vancouver.
A Collaborative, Professional Production
This was not a solo effort! I worked closely with a seasoned prop stylist and on-site producer, both of whom brought years of hospitality and editorial experience to the project. Together, we crafted each room with intention: carefully styled surfaces, lived-in moments, and visual narratives that would appeal to Sonder’s target guest: design conscious, travel savvy, and comfort driven.
Strategic Visual Direction
Our approach was to move beyond sterile, wide-angle “real estate” imagery and create photos that were:
Aspirational yet authentic, capturing how it feels to stay there
Consistent with Sonder’s updated visual brand, which favors clean, editorial aesthetics
Context-aware, subtly highlighting the surrounding neighborhood atmosphere and natural light patterns
We paid close attention to textures, color tones, and composition to give the imagery a timeless quality.
The Take Away
This case underscores the tangible ROI of professional, story driven photography. When visuals are not just accurate but emotionally appealing, they do more than show a room. They tell a story that guests want to be part of. For Sonder Revival Apartments, this translated into stronger guest satisfaction, better reviews, and higher booking conversion.
