December 2011 Zurich, Switzerland

Following the shoot in September for La Val Hotel in Brigels Michelle flew back to Switzerland with graphic designer Cheryl Gatward for a meeting at the head office of Ogilvy and Mather to oversee the placing of images within the hotel brochure, prior to print. It was a very productive trip.

December 2011 Shoot of The Dolder Grand, Zurich, Switzerland

Michelle photographed this prestigious five-star hotel, a member of The Most Famous Hotels in the World and home to one of the world’s largest art collections. Next to the pool was a Bolero sculpture; the hotel was designed by world-renowned British architect Norman Foster. The hotel is, in Michelle’s opinion, the epitome of cool: the combination of enormous rooms with views of the Swiss Alps and the nearby lake; minimalist designs; and fine furnishings made it a photographer’s dream. Not to mention the humongous award-winning spa with a “meditation walk” and an amazing selection of treatments.

Shooting this hotel was a pleasure for Michelle – living the life as a hotel guest in an elevated, almost dream-like world of iconic art and design. You can see the photos here.

December 2011 Automobile Museum, Malaga, Andalucia, Spain.

In December Michelle photographed the recently-opened Automobile Museum in Malaga for Andalucia.com. This museum houses the private collection of Portuguese car fanatic Joao Magalhaes. The collection is worth around 25 million euros, and is one of the most important vintage car collections in the world.

The cars are carefully arranged so that each one has room to breathe and photographers will be pleased to know that shafts of light fall naturally in diagonal lines into the space. The overall effect of this museum is to make driving sexy and glamorous, making you want to drive out in a Rolls, wearing a vintage hat and sunglasses, with a scarf fluttering along behind you in the wind.

December 2011 Verdiales Festival, Montes de Malaga, Andalucia, Spain

Michelle shot the Verdiales festival again for Andalucía.com. This festival takes place annually on 28 December, with colourful festivities, a fantastic atmosphere and, most of all, perfect for photography – an appropriate end to the year!