“Any photographic series on Palm
Beach must surely pay homage to its
two storied hotels: The Breakers and
The Colony. Both landmark locations
are tightly woven into the history of this
idyllic community and have played host
to legendary events. When Slim Aarons
talked about “attractive people, doing
attractive things in attractive places”
he was giving a nod to these celebrated
destinations.
From my eye, The Colony is less about
what goes on within, whether it be the
cocktail parties, the endless poolside
conversations or the bingo nights, and
more about the emphatic sense of place
offered by its storied pink façade. As
much as any other hotel in the world, the
entrance of The Colony is a microcosm
of the community. The coral colour of the
colonial style building and the green of
the palm trees fuse in that subtle alchemy
that is Palm Beach and meanwhile, those
who arrive at the hotel are doing so to
have fun not work. The Colony is the flag
bearer of “Team Palm Beach”.
I stayed at The Colony for a couple of
nights before our shoot began and
walked the nearby roads deliberating
over what to do. The 1947 building is so
tall and the entrance roads are so close
to the building that it would be difficult
to find a spot to celebrate the institution
and tell a foreground story.
But I realised there was one place on the
bend of the road going southeast from
Worth Avenue where I could get a car in
the frame. The problem was that to get
some space for my composition, the car
would be going away from me. I mused
over this riddle for a day and then, over
an evening cocktail at the Colony, I found
my solution.
The idea was solid, but we then had to
execute it before the traffic became too
steady. Frida Aasen - the Norwegian
supermodel - played her role just as I
asked and I walked along behind the
slowly moving car.
I think this photograph does what I
wanted it to do, just as the Colony Hotel
does what its guests want it to do.”