M/Y 4Leon: A High-Performance Marine Media Production in 24 Hours
The M/Y 4Leon is a masterpiece of Italian engineering. Launched in 2020 by Custom Line, this 33-meter Navetta 33 features the iconic exterior and interior design of Zuccon International Project. When a vessel of this caliber—valued at nearly €11 million—needs to be documented, the production must match the prestige of the yacht itself.
The Strategy of the Single-Day Shoot
In the yachting industry, time is the ultimate currency. Taking a superyacht out of service for multiple days for photography is a significant expense for owners and a strain on the crew. My team specializes in comprehensive single-day productions. We deliver a complete visual library—stills, cinematic video, drone footage, and 360 virtual tours—within a single sunrise-to-sunset window.
Pre-Dawn Execution: Chasing the Perfect Light
Our day for the 4Leon began at Flisvos Marina at 5:00 AM. We depart well before the sun rises to ensure we are on location to capture the "Golden Hour." This disciplined schedule allows us to maximize the best natural light for the exterior lines and the 7.68m beam of this voluminous yacht.
Collaborative Workflow & Technical Precision
A 33-meter yacht with five suites for 10 guests requires an organized team effort. While my partner, Dimitris Tzankatian, handles the cinematic interior videography using stabilized gimbals, I focus on:
Aerial & Tender Shots: Using drones and shooting from a chase-tender to capture the 4Leon in motion at its 15-knot top speed.
Tethered Interior Photography: Using a tablet to control lighting composites, ensuring the Zuccon-designed interiors are rendered with perfect texture and clarity.
Interactive 360 Virtual Tours: Providing an immersive experience for brokers and potential buyers to explore the 262 GT volume of the ship.
Multi-Platform Content for Global Marketing
The 4Leon is a global asset, and its marketing material must work across all platforms. We provided a dual-stream of content:
Corporate Quality: High-resolution landscape imagery for websites and print brochures.
Social-First Media: Vertical photography and video "reels" designed specifically for Instagram and TikTok.
Lifestyle Detail: Working closely with the 5-person crew, we staged everything from "breakfast on deck" to the deployment of water toys, ensuring the yacht felt "lived-in" and ready for charter.
As the sun sets and the 4Leon’s underwater lights come on, we capture the final atmospheric shots, delivering a world-class portfolio that respects the owner's time and the crew's hard work.
