Prior to our hasty departure to New Zealand, I managed to complete a pretty challenging photo project in 2011. A five star hotel in pre-opening stage needed several interior and exterior shots for their launching in December.
My client realized that it was going to be an extended vacation back home which meant they might not be able to get their photos done before the hotel opening. Due to the unpredictable weather conditions in Shanghai, we had to pin several tentative dates for the shoot. After a few mails back and forth regarding possible storms, drizzles, minor logistics problems and whether we can have all the setup ready for the restaurants and rooms – mind you, they were in the middle of pre-opening stage, meaning nothing was available at the time, we finally set the date. The day before my departure to NZ.
Keeping my fingers crossed as both sides couldn’t have any setbacks. This is it. Arriving at the lobby of the hotel, it was full of stacked lushes king-size mattresses and deep red suede lobby lounge chairs. It hadn’t changed much from my previous pre-shoot meeting. The shooting took pretty much an entire day, consisted of mock-up guest room, lobby lounge, chinese restaurant, ballroom and a few exterior shots — which was done in the evening to capture the exterior lights and outline of the building was nicely lit by spotlights.
Originally I proposed for a permit to get on to a crane from a construction site across the hotel. Perfect level to get an overall view of the exterior. Unfortunately the crane was strictly for operators only. It was a pretty tough angle to get from down below. Although finally after the Engineering department got involved, we were given an electronic ladder that goes up to 6m high. I didn’t think being up there was going to be so shaky plus the winter breeze was not much help to control finger muscles to even press the camera shutter. Oh my! What an experience!
…. and that one was me, 6 meters high on a wobbly stairs, taken by the director of the hotel — which way was up? dunno either 
