A day at Sambuy

5:30 a.m., Glaisins parking.

The night is barely fading, the bags are full, the eyes still a little blurry.

The team is complete: Tim, our photographer, Alexanne, model of the day, Estelle, and Justine. We're heading to La Sambuy, up there, above Annecy. A place we know well—not just because it's magnificent, but also because it's home to us, the birthplace of Lagoped.

The sky is clear, but hazy. A strange light covers the mountain: a white halo from the fires in Canada. The atmosphere is soft, almost surreal. Ideal for what we want to tell: a simple, accessible, yet memorable day of hiking. A true moment.

First steps

The team climbs slowly. Nothing too challenging—fortunately, they carry all the camera gear and clothing. Tim looks for the best angles, Alexane walks, laughs, poses, and repeats. Estelle and Justine take turns: one hand on the bag, the other on the items to be photographed. The Gelinotte fleece, the Garnys shorts, the Ukpik jacket... Our hiking essentials come to life in the situation.

On the ridge

The view clears, the lake becomes visible. The wind is light. They shoot. They adjust. And sometimes, they try several times. The sun beats down, their faces turn candy pink.

6 p.m., end of the day.

The memory cards are full, and so are the legs. The team returns with images in their heads and on their cameras. And already the desire to do it all again.