INTERVIEW - SONIA ARAMA, MICE DIRECTOR, STUDIO HARCOURT: “THE EXPERIENCE OF A SHOOT ON OUR SET REPRODUCED IDENTICALLY”
The Studio Harcourt takes up residence in luxury hotels, to the delight of its guests, immortalising memories and sublimating expressions |
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INTERVIEW - SONIA ARAMA, MICE DIRECTOR, STUDIO HARCOURT: “THE EXPERIENCE OF A SHOOT ON OUR SET REPRODUCED IDENTICALLY”
The Studio Harcourt takes up residence in luxury hotels, to the delight of its guests, immortalising memories and sublimating expressions |
Category: Worldwide - Interviews and portraits
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Interview made by Vanessa Guerrier-Buisine on 2023-12-28
Since its creation in 1934, Studio Harcourt has embodied glamour and excellence. From Grace Kelly to Karl Lagerfeld, the greatest have passed before the lens of Studio Harcourt, which wields the art of sublimating elegance and revealing beauty with sobriety and magnificence.
Since luxury hotels are also worshipping hedonism, Studio Harcourt has naturally extended its offer by creating an ephemere studio, as it did at the last DUCO France. A photo studio that travels the world, from one exceptional location to another, to offer luxury hotel guests a unique experience and a souvenir that they will take home, immortalized on Art paper.
Next up for beauty lovers is the Hôtel du Palais in Biarritz, from 27 to 31 December. For the duration of this ephemeral studio, Harcourt, a Living Heritage Company, will be opening its doors to guests of the palace and beyond.
Journal des Palaces spoke to Sonia Arama, MICE Director of Studio Harcourt, to find out more about the possibilities available to luxury hotels and their clients.Journal des Palaces: Could you describe the experience that Studio Harcourt will be offering at the Hôtel du Palais?The experience of a session on our identically reproduced set to recreate the shooting conditions at the Studio Harcourt.Are there different types of experience possible?Yes, of course, several experiences: - The prestige portrait is a shoot lasting at least two hours and resulting in the delivery of an art portrait signed by Studio Harcourt. This portrait is delivered four to five weeks after the shoot, as it requires meticulous retouching in our Paris studio. This retouching work reveals the work done in the studio. It embellishes the shot, and erases any rough edges or technical faults in the camera.
- The wink of an eye portrait, such as the animation offered at the DUCO event, is, as its name suggests, an allusion, a foretaste of our expertise, which is produced during events in a short timeframe for a minimum number of people. After a quick powder coating, the model is invited to experience the shoot on set. The print (unretouched) is given to the guests immediately and the digital format is sent a few days later. The portrait is signed H. The wink of an eye portrait requires the same set-up as the Prestige portrait. It can only be done for an event with a minimum number of guests.
How are such sessions organized in hotels? What are the logistical requirements?We set up ephemeral Studios all over the world, in 5-star hotels, Palaces and other prestigious event venues. To set up a Studio, you need a minimum surface area of 30 sq. metres, with the option of blacking out the daylight. It takes two hours to set up and two hours to dismantle. Studio Harcourt travels with a team of four people: a photographer, an assistant, a make-up artist and a project manager.How long does it take to book the Studio in your hotel?There is no deadline, subject to the availability of our team, photographer, assistant and make-up artist, and of course, the projector equipment, etc.How does a session work for the end client? How should they prepare beforehand, and how do you prepare them?We give the client a few outfit recommendations. The session lasts about two hours. It begins with a beauty treatment by our make-up artist. Studio Harcourt's expertise is based on rigour and attention to detail. Specially designed to camouflage imperfections and enhance facial features, the make-up technique seeks to give the skin a special texture. The primary element in enhancing the subject is light, so make-up and lighting are complementary.
A selection of outfits and accessories is then made with the model and our team to vary the poses and offer a wide choice in the selection of portraits. Throughout the session, the photographer, assisted by his lighting technician, will create a photograph that is a veritable sculpture, a three-dimensional image created using beams of light. After the session, the photographer and the subject will discuss the portrait(s) on the basis of contact sheets, which will be preserved and then meticulously retouched in our Paris studio.How much does it cost to the guest?Instant portrait from € 995
Prestige portrait from € 1995
It's best to book ahead to be sure of a moment of grace.
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