Then and Now
When researching locations to photograph, I often start by looking at the past for inspiration. One my favorite source is vintage postcards. I remember when we used to send friends and family handwritten cards from the exotic locales we were visiting.
The Orchard Tree Inn
Postcard from the 1950s of the Orchard Tree Inn in Palm Springs
Built in 1934 and originally established as a tiny 10-bungalow complex known as the Sakarah Apartments, it became The Orchard Tree Inn in 1952, also when the pool was added. During its heyday, the Orchid Tree Inn played host to several Old Hollywood celebrities including William Holden, Troy Donahue, Tab Hunter, Anthony Perkins, and Rosalind Russell. It was shuttered in 2005 and has remained vacant since.
Photographed in May 2017 and part of my Empty Series
The Deauville Hoel
Postcard from the 50s/60s of the Deauville Hotel in Miami
Built in 1957, this hotel in the MiMo (Miami Modernist) architecture style featured a gigantic pool, a hair salon, radio station and ice skating rink. The hotel attracted a host of celebrities such as Frank Sinatra, Tom Jones, Sammy Davis Jr., Joan Rivers and Jerry Lewis. President John F. Kennedy gave a speech here in 1961. But what really put the hotel on the map was the second 1964 Beatles performance on “The Ed Sullivan Show” taped in the hotel’s Napoleon Ballroom. Sadly, after an electrical fire in 2017 it has been sitting abandoned.
Photographed in April 2019 and part of my Empty Series
The Raleigh Hotel
Postcard of the stunning art deco pool of the Raleigh Hotel in Miami
L. Murray Dixon designed the Raleigh Hotel in the Art Deco style. It first opened in 1940 and had multiple owners until it closed after extended damage from Hurricane Irma in 2017. This is an aerial image of the iconic pool featured in many movies. It was captured in April 2019. Today the hotel is awaiting to reopen after an extensive renovation.
Photographed in April 2019 and part of my Pool Series
TWA Terminal
Vintage advertisement for TWA, 1963
The futuristic design of the Trans World terminal in what is today’s New York JFK airport. Its design from Eero Saarinen was striking then, and remains today.
Photographed in July 2019 and part of my Black & White Series
Avakarel af Texaco Petrol Station, Skovshoved
Originally built as a prototype for texaco in 1936, skovshoved petrol station is now a class A listed historic monument and has been restored over the years since it was first opened in the 1930s
Photographed in December 2018
and part of my Black & White Series
Skiing in Switzerland
Verbier by © Slim Aarons
I have always been a fan of Slim Aarons work and especially his photographs in winter on the slopes of Switzerland or Colorado.
Photographed in February 2023 and part of my Snow Series
Aspen
Postcard Aspen Chairlift, 1958
Photographed in January 2023 and part of my Snow Series
Super St Bernard Ski Reosrt, 1975
The Super St Bernard ski resort borders with Italy and takes its name from the St Bernard pass. As a child, I would often go with my parents to ski or to ski camps when I did competition. Sadly, in 2010 the resort was closed, unable to secure the 25 million necessary to renovate its infrastructures. To this day, the structure is still standing.
