Over the years, my shoots at The Beverly Hills Hotel have remained some of my most cherished memories. This iconic location has inspired many of my series, each one capturing the glamour and magic that is synonymous with this world-renowned hotel. From my very first shoot at the property to the fabulous Gray Malin Cabana, I’m excited to take you behind the scenes of some of my favorite projects and share how they came to life.
My First Shoot at The Iconic Hotel
It all began with a vision—the idea to create a series that would transport the viewer into my personal interpretation of the ‘Golden Era’. I wanted to showcase a glamorous jet-set crowd decked out in vintage 1950s and 1960s wardrobe, enjoying everything The Beverly Hills Hotel had to offer. With its timeless beauty and rich history, the hotel seemed like the perfect backdrop for such a project.
I was incredibly honored to be the first professional fine art photographer to be granted permission to shoot a collection at the property, and the resulting series was a celebration of both the hotel’s history and my own creative vision. To bring the concept to life, we had a large team of about 25 people working together—coordinating wardrobe, vintage props, lighting, and the hotel’s iconic locations.
One of the most interesting aspects of the shoot was how we lit the red carpet location shots. While you might expect those shots to be captured in the afternoon sun, we actually shot them early in the morning, with our lighting specialist helping us achieve the perfect look. It was a fun departure from my usual natural light setup, and the results turned out beautifully.
Also, a fun detail for those who love the finer things—each of the classic cars we used was chosen to complement the wardrobe’s color palette, and it really helped tie the overall look together.
The Gray Malin Cabana: A Poolside Dream
After the success of my Gray Malin at The Beverly Hills Hotel series, I knew I wanted to take my vision even further. Enter: the Gray Malin Cabana at The Beverly Hills Hotel. I had this idea to bring my brand to life in a whole new way, and what better place to do it than at the hotel that had inspired so many of my works?
I partnered with one of my favorite design brands, Serena & Lily, to create the ultimate poolside retreat. Designing the cabana was a dream come true. We knew we had to incorporate the iconic Martinique wallpaper from CW Stockwell—a signature look at the hotel—so we chose the classic green colorway to evoke the feeling of a coastal paradise.
The pink and white striped awning was another key design element, adding a playful yet sophisticated touch to the space. My favorite pieces in the cabana include the Capistrano Hanging Chair, Mercer Console, and Pacifica Sofa—each one adding natural textures like rattan and wicker, which give the cabana a laid-back, vacation vibe.
To complement the space, I selected a few of my favorite pieces of artwork, including Meet Me at The Beverly Hills Hotel, Lounging Ladies, and California Cruising. These prints perfectly captured the essence of a luxurious poolside day at the hotel—relaxed, vibrant, and full of California sunshine.
The Gray Malin Cabana quickly became an iconic spot at the hotel, and I’m thrilled that it brought my vision to life for guests who wanted to enjoy the ultimate poolside experience.
Dogs at The Beverly Hills Hotel
And last but certainly not least, I’m sure many of you are familiar with my Dogs at The Beverly Hills Hotel series—a personal favorite of mine! This was my first shoot working with dogs, and it was such a fun and rewarding experience.
Inspired by the glamorous guests and their posh pets, I created a world where these dogs lived and worked at the hotel, dressed in vintage accessories and custom-made costumes. The series was filled with playful moments, and we shot over 20 dogs in total—each one bringing their own unique personality to the set. The classic cars added another layer of vintage charm, and every shot was carefully composed to capture both the dogs’ charm and the hotel’s luxury.
One of my favorite moments from the shoot was discovering that the pug we were featuring actually knew how to surf! We hadn’t planned for any dogs to get in the pool, but once we learned about the pug’s skills, we decided to add an innertube to the scene. It was a delightful surprise and one of the many moments that made this shoot so special.
Looking back, these shoots have been some of my most memorable and meaningful experiences, each one allowing me to bring my vision to life at The Beverly Hills Hotel. Each project has added another layer to my ongoing love affair with this iconic property.
Though I can’t bring you all on set with me, I hope these stories offer a little peek into the magic of working at The Beverly Hills Hotel.
Cheers,
Gray