A Portrait by Michel Comte: Zurich Photo Shoot Experience

On Thursday, July 17, SAFAR had the opportunity to meet and be photographed by renowned photographer Michel Comte during an exclusive photo shoot hosted by Mews House Zurich. The session took place just outside the Mews building, where a select group of media guests – including SAFAR – were invited to sit for a portrait by Comte. Each participant selected a piece from the Mews collection for the shoot. We opted for a refined summer look by MaxMara, observing as Comte and his team moved with quiet focus – stylists preparing the scene, assistants fine-tuning the equipment. Comte, soft-spoken and attentive, directed each subject with understated clarity. A few gestures, minimal words, and an intuitive sense of timing: the photograph came together in seconds. To be photographed by Michel Comte – not in a studio, but outdoors in the heart of Zurich – was a rare and memorable experience.

Behind the Lens: The Story of Michel Comte
Born in Zurich, Switzerland, in 1954, Michel Comte began his career as a restorer of contemporary art, working with pieces by iconic artists like Andy Warhol and Yves Klein. His background in restoration laid the foundation for a deep understanding of composition, form and visual storytelling. In 1979, Karl Lagerfeld entrusted him with his first fashion assignment for Chloé. Comte rose to prominence, shooting for Vogue Italia, Vanity Fair and Interview, while working with leading brands such as Chanel, Hermès, BMW, Lancôme and Nike. He is also known for his iconic portraits of cultural figures, including Jeremy Irons, Louise Bourgeois, Mike Tyson, Akira Kurosawa, Sharon Stone, Naomi Campbell, Carla Bruni, Helena Christensen, Miles Davis and Vanessa Paradis. His long-term visual chronicle of F1 legend Michael Schumacher is another standout project. In recognition of his achievements, PHOTO magazine honored him as Photographer of the Year in 2000.

Humanitarian and Environmental Work
Beyond his success in fashion and commercial photography, Comte has devoted himself to impactful and purposeful projects. In the 1990s, he partnered with the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) to document war zones in Afghanistan, Rwanda, Bosnia and Sudan. His compelling images were used to raise awareness and funds for humanitarian causes, including the establishment of an orthopedic hospital in Kabul. These experiences are documented in his book, People and Places with No Name, published by Steidl. In recent years, Comte has focused on environmental issues, especially the impact of climate change on glaciers and landscapes. As an avid mountaineer and aviator, he has witnessed firsthand the disappearance of the world’s ice. His ongoing project, Light, incorporates materials like Murano glass, ice, carbon and other natural elements to explore the effects of erosion and rising sea levels. These works have been exhibited at renowned venues such as La Triennale di Milano, MAXXI Rome, Galerie Urs Meile, and major events like Art Basel and Contemporary Istanbul.

Meeting Michel Comte was a rare opportunity to work with a photographer whose career spans both fashion and documentary work. On a warm July afternoon in Zurich, he captured a moment with quiet precision—leaving behind not just an image, but an experience to remember.