Hermès: Mystery at the Grooms’ (A Photographers POV)
Hermès recently put on a free pop-up installation in NYC, and visually? It was lovely. Soft colors, flowing fabric, a whimsical bed setup — the kind of thing that could make for a great shoot under different circumstances.
I didn’t have a ticket, it was Junetenth, and I had nothing to do, so I waited in standby for about an hour (through three different lines). Once inside, it became clear this was more of a family-friendly experience and than a photographer’s playground. The whole thing was built around a scavenger hunt for kids to find hidden horses, and the pacing was fast — no room to slow down and shoot with intention.
Coming from the POV of a photographer who’s always on the lookout for striking visuals without a studio budget, these kinds of brand installations sometimes offer unexpected gold. But this one? Not quite. The sets were beautiful, but the experience was too quick and too crowded to actually use them.
Toward the end, they handed out free Hermès-branded notebooks. I gave mine back — because I didn’t think I’d use it. Looking back, the guy seemed genuinely stunned I didn’t want it and I probably could have sold it.
If you’re a stylist, designer, or have kids in tow, this pop-up is worth a visit. But for photographers trying to catch a vibe or find a muse without paying studio rates — this one’s more eye candy than opportunity. You can definitely get some fun Stills photography!
Check out the full video