Champagne has long been celebrated as the ultimate drink for grand occasions, black-tie galas, and major milestones. But back in the 1960s, a legendary ad campaign challenged that tradition by placing a bottle of luxury champagne right next to a classic burger.

Decades later, Veuve Clicquot (or La Veuve, as insiders call it) revived that bold philosophy—this time specifically tailored for the vibrant Latin market in Miami.

When the brand needed a versatile, spacious production environment and top-tier creative direction to execute this vision, they brought the project to Rail 71 Studio.

The Creative Brief: High-End Champagne Meets Latin Comfort Food

The goal of the campaign was clear: break the stigma that luxury champagne is reserved only for formal events, showing that any everyday moment—and any delicious meal—is worth celebrating.

Our mission was to craft striking commercial food photography pairing chilled Veuve Clicquot bottles and poured flutes with iconic Latin dishes:

● A traditional Cuban sandwich

● Crispy golden tequeños

● Flavorful Argentine empanadas

● Fresh ceviche

● Authentic Venezuelan arepas

"High-end commercial photography is about blending brand guidelines with fresh creative freedom to turn a simple pairing into an elevated visual story."

Balancing Art Direction with Brand Identity

Working with an iconic brand like Veuve Clicquot requires absolute precision. The client provided an extensive brand book, detailing exact color palettes, lighting rules, and aesthetic parameters.

Stepping into the roles of Head Photographer and Creative Director, I (Leslie Gabaldon) spearheaded the art direction—selecting and purchasing props, structuring color palettes, and arranging set elements to match Veuve Clicquot’s signature aesthetic while maintaining full visual harmony.

Behind the scenes at Rail 71 Studio: Art direction, prop styling, and lighting setup for the Veuve Clicquot commercial campaign.

Navigating the Moving Parts: Building a Qualified Crew

Executing a seamless commercial campaign looks effortless in the final images, but it relies on an experienced crew managing every detail behind the scenes:

● Spacious Studio Environment: Having an expansive shooting floor allowed us to host the team, manage inventory (including dozens of prepped bottles), and maintain a clean workflow.

● Specialized Lighting: Our lighting technician crafted precise setups to highlight the golden effervescence of the champagne while keeping the food textures rich and appetising.

● Expert Food Styling: Working alongside a dedicated food stylist ensured each dish looked fresh, vibrant, and camera-ready throughout long lighting adjustments.

The Result

The collaboration was a total success. By pairing strict brand guidelines with creative flexibility and specialized crew talents, we delivered a polished suite of imagery that left the client thrilled.

Whether you are hosting a multi-day commercial campaign or a stylized product shoot, Rail 71 Studio offers the space, high-end equipment, and production support to bring complex visions to life.

Planning a commercial production in Miami? Explore our studio space or contact our team to discuss your upcoming project!