Four Places, Four Ways of Working: My Experience as a Portrait Photographer in Switzerland, France, Monaco, and New York

I’m lucky enough to work in a variety of places: in Switzerland, Paris, on the French Riviera, and in New York.

Of course, every destination has its own atmosphere, architecture, and style. But after several years of working as a portrait photographer, I’ve noticed above all that what really changes from one place to another isn’t the glamour or the scenery.

This is how clients work with me.

The way an event is organized, the information I receive, the booking timeline, the atmosphere during the event, and even the way guests interact with me can vary greatly.

Switzerland: Precision and Preparation

Switzerland is probably the place where my highly organized side feels most at home.

Here, planning everything in advance is perfectly normal. Booking two months before an event is by no means considered early. When I arrive on site, I’ve sometimes already been provided with the store layout, information about the guests, customer profiles, and even some details about the brand and its history.

I really appreciate this level of preparation.

As an artist, the more I understand the environment in which I’ll be working, the better I can adapt my approach. I know where I’ll be set up, who I’ll be drawing for, and what the brand wants its guests to experience.

There is something very reassuring about this clarification.

And maybe that’s just part of who I am. I’m naturally very organized, and I have to admit that I really enjoy working this way.

New York: fast-paced, energetic, and incredibly welcoming

New York is almost on the opposite side.

Sometimes a request can come in just a few days before an event. Everything can come together very quickly. The pace is intense, and you have to know how to respond.

But once the event gets underway, there’s an incredible energy, and the organization actually works very well.

My events in New York are often very fast-paced, with a lot going on around me. There can be many guests, including clients with very high purchasing power.

And yet, one of the things I love most about New York is how natural the interactions are.

The people are incredibly welcoming. They’re curious, enthusiastic, and genuinely happy to be there. Everyone wants to join in the celebration and have fun.

I can easily take photos of customers, and they’re happy to pose with me. It’s all simple and spontaneous.

People can be extremely sophisticated, but they don’t necessarily need to show it.

To me, this combination of energy, generosity, and natural elegance is very New York.

And I really appreciate how easy it is to work with Americans. They’re generally straightforward, positive, and appreciative, which makes the whole experience particularly enjoyable.

Paris: Organization, Discretion, and Glamour

Paris is different again.

Reservations are typically made five or six weeks in advance, which allows enough time to prepare for the event under the right conditions.

The organization is generally very good, but there is also a very high standard of discretion.

When working with luxury clients in Paris, I’m often reminded of just how important confidentiality is. There can be very specific expectations regarding communication about guests, sharing images, and sometimes even whether the event can be publicly mentioned.

As a portrait artist, this is something I take very seriously. And then, of course, there’s Paris itself.

Magnificent places. Beautiful people. Elegant clothing. Incredible attention to detail.

There’s something special about drawing people in Paris.

I may be a little biased, but Paris is still my dream city. I love working there, and I don’t think I’ll ever get tired of it.

Monaco and the French Riviera: Last-Minute Getaways, Glamour, and Parties

And then there’s Monaco and the French Riviera.

Here, things can be much more “last-minute.”

The international nature of the clientele is immediately apparent. Depending on the event, I might sketch guests from the Middle East, Eastern Europe, or many other parts of the world.

And the atmosphere is often more focused on celebration and entertainment.

The French Riviera has a unique ability to turn any event into a true celebration.

The venues can be spectacular—yachts, private villas, hotels, and other exceptional locations—and you often get the sense that everyone is there, above all, to enjoy the moment.

Pour moi, le live portrait s’intègre parfaitement dans cet environnement. Il fait partie de l’animation, tout en permettant à chaque invité de repartir avec quelque chose de personnel.

There’s definitely a more festive and spontaneous side to working on the French Riviera.

And I have to admit: I love it.

So, which place do I like best?

People sometimes ask me where I prefer to work. The honest answer is: I don’t know.

Et c’est peut-être justement pour cela que j’aime autant mon métier. J’aime la précision et la préparation de la Suisse.

I love New York’s energy, warmth, and natural confidence. I love Paris’s discretion, elegance, and glamour.

And I love the festive atmosphere, the international flair, and the extraordinary locations in Monaco and on the French Riviera.

These are very different experiences, but each one gives me something I appreciate.

After more than 30 years of professional drawing, I believe that one of the greatest joys of being an independent artist lies precisely in this diversity.

The same artist. The same pencil. Four very different ways of working.

And I wouldn’t want it any other way.