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March 1, 2011
Roger Federer Poses for Star Photographer Testino
By Daniel Huber, Credit Suisse eMagazine
A year after the photo session with well-known advertising photographer Platon, Roger Federer posed for no less than world-famous fashion and royalty photographer Mario Testino as part of Credit Suisse's new advertising campaign. We take a look behind the scenes of the photo set in Dubai.
It's still early morning in Dubai, and the sun's velvet light is only just beginning to make an appearance. But in the spacious rented villa, set back slightly from the Arabian Sea in the desert city's greenbelt, it's already a hive of activity. A group of about 20 people surround the crew, who are making sure every last detail is perfect for Credit Suisse's second major advertising photo shoot with Roger Federer. At 8:15 on the dot, the Swiss tennis professional appears on set. He had flown into Dubai from London late the night before, having beaten Rafael Nadal in the final match of the World Tour Finals fewer than 12 hours previously.
First Shoot at US Open
Victory is etched all over his face, helping make up for the fact that he had slept no more than a few hours. Visibly relaxed, and with his customary friendly manner, he welcomes photographer Mario Testino and his crew. It's the Swiss tennis star's second major shoot with the star photographer. The first was in 2009, during the US Open in New York for the September issue of Vogue. On that occasion, Roger wasn't sure if it would all turn out fine after a tough match in the preliminary round. But the results convinced him otherwise.
Engagement Pictures of Prince William
That is precisely Testino's strength. The photographer, who was born in Lima, Peru, has a legendary reputation for making people look so uniquely good. Probably not least because of that, he is also the British royal family's preferred court photographer: Testino was recently commissioned for the official engagement photos of Prince William and Kate Middleton. The photographs of Lady Diana that Testino took for the US edition of Vanity Fair now enjoy veritable cult status.
Family Photo As Gift
Since the first shoot, the paths of the two exceptional talents Testino and Roger Federer have frequently crossed, such as at last year's Fashion Week in Milan, where Testino took a family picture of Roger with Mirka and the twins, at the spur of the moment.
He has brought the picture with him to Dubai for Roger, who is visibly pleased with the gift. Amid this entirely relaxed atmosphere, the photo shoot gets under way. First of all it's off to makeup and the stylist; then the five takes are discussed and the final finishing touches made.
Helping Federer Relax Since 1981
The set's fairly minimal equipment is striking. Unlike most big advertising shoots, there are no gigantic props or pieces of scenery to have to contend with. Instead, Roger poses for Testino entirely naturally amid the familiar surroundings of his rented villa. Indeed, the idea behind the advertising campaign is to portray the tennis star and his life as authentically as possible – and far away from the world's center courts. It's with good reason that all five subjects of the English-language image campaign bear the slogan: "Helping Roger Federer Relax Since 1981." That's because in 1981, only a few weeks after he was born, parents Lynette and Robbie Federer opened Roger's first savings account with the forerunner of today's Credit Suisse.
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