St. Moritz, Switzerland

ST MORITZ
St Moritz, Switzerland – 2023

I photographed luge and bobsleigh in the Calgary Olympics way back in 1988, so spending some time with the St Moritz Tobogganing Club, or the Cresta Club as it is more commonly known, was not all new territory. But my goal was very different this time around; this was an art project, not sports photography.

St Moritz is fabled for its glamour, its authenticity, its frivolity and its thrill chasing. It is a Peter Pan playground that remembers that life is for living. No part of the fabric of this community embraces these values more than the Cresta Run.

I want to thank the SMTC Committee for agreeing to work with me and I hope the photographs I took that sunny morning in February 2023 will stand the test of time. It was certainly a great deal of fun. I don’t think many have had the access and opportunity I had that day.

The real star of the show was leading Norwegian model Frida Aasen, who dazzled in her red styling. Her look and posture were pivotal to the image working. After all, in staged photographs like this, there is no room for error. This is St Moritz and getting it 80% right is not good enough, it must be 100%. Frida is one of the easiest models I know to shoot - the camera loves her.

I don’t take myself too seriously and I certainly don't want to be earnest. I want to have fun and tell stories. Little surprise that we enjoyed ourselves that day at this exclusive institution with its charming members. There is a humour and lightness of touch that is refreshing in today’s world.
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