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- Companies having summer outings and holiday parties for the first time in years.
- Advertisers spending marketing dollars on events with consumer interaction and (thankfully) photo capture, for mementos or social media benefit.
- The return of corporate incentive trips and large company celebrations.
- Companies putting money back into their image and deciding to update their employee’s headshots.
- Business surging once again for the venues and planners we work with.
A Look Back on 2011: Lessons Learned From the Trenches
January 18th, 2012
The overall morale in 2011 was higher than it has been for the past three years. There was hopefulness in the air. Here at 5th Avenue Digital, we saw:
It seems like everyone is starting to see the economic woes dissipate. The many jobs we were lucky enough to be part of this past year indicate we are on our way, after two years of corporate celebrations being relegated to the back burner.
I’ve worked hard to assemble a team of super-talented photographers, who have captured not only incredible corporate images this year but have also taken our 5th Avenue Social division to new heights. We have partnered with a dynamic group of planners and venues and are very excited to share our new portfolios that feature images from their clients’ events. I am already anticipating the new images we’ll be seeing in the coming months.
One of my proudest accomplishments in 2011 is the newest model of the YouBooth photo booth. The collaborations with our clients have allowed us to introduce the newest technology crazes to their events. The YouBooth has a new exterior design, plus the most exciting new feature: a social media application that allows guests to upload their photos directly to Twitter, Facebook or email.
This year the YouBooth was proudly used at pop-up store events, holiday parties, mitzvahs, weddings – any occasion where fun was required. What we love the most is finding creative solutions that maximize each client’s use of the booth. I owe a special shout-out to my producer, Rylan Crooks, for always finding ways to execute our clients’ unending ideas of how they envision using the YouBooth.
Building a strong business in this economic time is certainly a challenge. We have watched many of our partners in event planning scale down the past few years, and it’s so comforting to watch them scale back up. We are very grateful for their trust in us and we treasure these partnerships.
I am also very grateful to my 5th Avenue Digital team: the amazing group inside the office, Beth, Rylan and Tim, and the photographers, videographers and designers that make our clients their number one priority. Teamwork and partnerships have been the overall theme in 2011. Knowing that you have the right people in the ship makes being the captain a joy. I am grateful every day that I get to work with the team I have, and I would not have been able to double our business this year if it hadn’t been for them. There have been some rough waters in terms of owning a photography business over the past three years, but it looks like smoother sailing ahead.
Thank you all who have contributed to an amazing 2011. We will be sharing some of our favorite photographic moments in galleries over the next few weeks. Here are a few more of my favorites.
A Bat Mitzvah Girl’s Dream Comes True
November 4th, 2011
At five feet and seven inches, Isabel never really considered herself a contender for Next Top Model, but she’s still loved getting in front of a camera almost since the day she born. Clothes have always loved Isabel, and Isabel has always had the right amount of style and attitude to pull off her amazing sartorial selections.
As her Bat Mitzvah approaches this November, Isabel and her family wanted to create a glamorous affair at The Capital Theater. Isabel’s mom asked 5th Avenue Digital to set up a modeling shoot in advance of the Bat Mitzvah, so they could have great photos to use for the sign-in book and other décor elements at the Mitzvah party. That was the original reason for doing the shoot, but what resulted was an interesting realization.
Modeling is hard work, and everyone learned soon enough that it’s not nearly as exciting as a 13 year –old Bat Mitzvah girl would imagine. There was more time spent sitting still in a make-up chair than there was in front of the camera. The dresses were gorgeous, but heavy and a little itchy. By the end of the day, our Bat Mitzvah girl was exhausted! Read the rest of this entry “
The Fun (and Art) of Marketing YouBooth photobooth at Trade Shows
October 26th, 2011
Having been in the event industry for over 20 years, naturally I’ve become adept at working trade shows and other industry events. I like them because they offer opportunities to mingle with some of the movers and shakers in both the social and corporate events industry. This week was one of the most fulfilling for my little networking self.
The YouBooth photobooth was a huge hit at The Knot gala, the first event I attended in my marathon week of networking events. We brought in our YouBooth “photobooth” to give everyone there a chance to see it in action. Carley and her dynamo team at The Knot were lovely to work with and many industry friends stopped by to check out the photobooth. Read the rest of this entry “
Onsite print for British Tourism-testimonial
October 14th, 2011
Nice to finally meet you as well, and thanks for bringing the frames down after-hours.
Michael and Stavros were great to work with. Both gentlemen went above and beyond my expectations for the evening. You’ve got a great team there!
Cheers…!
Glenn Reimer/Fourth Wall Events
A Hard Rock Bat Mitzvah
October 11th, 2011
The Hard Rock Café is slowly becoming my favorite Bar Mitzvah venue. It reminds me of the Dezerland venue of years ago. It’s all about pure rock and roll – and what 13 year-old doesn’t want to party among rock stars? It even provides a shot of nostalgia for the adults.
We’ve photographed Bar Mitzvahs at The Hard Rock Café a number of times, and at every occasion the venue offers a completely new experience for both the kids and parents alike. This time, the venue was decorated by the talented folks at Shine Events. Matt and his team not only planned the entertainment, they put their special flavor on the entire party.
One of the best things about hosting a Bar Mitzvah at The Hard Rock is the fabulous photo opportunities available in Times Square. Check out Chloe and friends (below), at a Bat Mitzvah we photographed last weekend, with the Times Square backdrop. The location, the décor and the entertainment all came together to create a cohesive whole, and a Bat Mitzvah Chloe will always remember.
What I love about photographing families during their children’s Bat Mitzvahs is the look of pure joy on everyone’s faces as the party kicks into gear. It’s priceless – and great material for the photographer. Capturing these heightened moments is what great Bar Mitzvah photography is all about!
Onsite print with Bernard Hopkins-testimonial
October 5th, 2011
It has been my pleasure working with you and your team as well. Stavros and Julia were professional, personable, and produced high quality photos.
Everyone was pleased with the outcome of this event and your team was definitely a part of that success.
I look forward to working with you in the future!
Zenitra Perry
Sales Developement
Rave Reviews for Onsite printing with Carmelo Anthony
September 30th, 2011
Thank you again to the 5th Avenue Digital team for helping us pull off a spectacular event last night with the tightest of schedules! Everyone was amazing and Stavros was fantastic, keeping the line moving and managing some of the “challenging” guests. Our client was thrilled with how things went and this effort was a big part of that, stepping in late in the game and rising to the occasion.
Again, awesome job and looking forward to working together on future projects.
David Cosentino
Sun and Moon Marketing Communications
Bar Mitzvah Photography Testimonial
September 28th, 2011
I am so touched by the yelp review we received by one of my favorite Bar mitzvah clients- i just had to share. Thank you linda for your kind words:Beautiful photography that reflected all the special and unique elements of our bar mitzvah. They were creative from start to finish in planning the timing of the photos, to incorporating a range of pictures including our family trip to Israel a week prior, to the painstaking work of perfecting the book. The book has all of the most current benefits of digital photography with the quality of the finest leather bound traditional bar mitzvah albums, the attention from start to finish was personalized and Elizabeth, the owner became a friend by the time we were done!! Don’t hesitate or spend your time scouring the city, this was my 3 rd child and we used top photographers for all but no one gives the personalized attention to detail that you get from elizabeth, her photographers, and staff!
Calling All NYC Wedding Planners: Have You Been Scammed Recently?
August 16th, 2011
We’ve learned that there is a woman going around to local high end wedding planners and consulting with them about her dream wedding. The catch is, after spending quite a bit of time with the planners and receiving detailed proposals from them, she writes bad checks for the deposits and isn’t heard from again. Clearly she was never intending to go through with the signed contract.
This has happened to at least two planners I work with, and we all feel there must be more planners who have been scammed by this woman.
The part we haven’t been able to figure out is, if this woman is trying to learn how wedding planners do their sales and how they present their contracts, why the need to write a bad check?
Here are some of the consistent specifics she’s presented to the planners:
• Getting married New Years Eve
• Two separate venues were mentioned as locations. In both cases, the “bride” said she was friends with the owner of the venue.
• Guest list of 250 to 300 people
• For a meeting with one planner the pseudo-bride brought a “groom” and with another planner she brought her “mom”
One of the planners is considering small claims court for the time invested. If you have a similar case, please let me know so we can add you to the proceedings. We want to stop this woman from wasting any more planners’ time!
Thanks to you all for any further information you may have.
A first birthday party worth photographing!
August 14th, 2011
This first birthday party was a real circus act, definitely one of the coolest and most creative birthday parties we have ever had the chance to photograph! Dejan was turning one year old and his parents really wanted him to have a birthday party that everyone would remember (maybe even him?).
The stage was set with beautiful decorations, designed by Shawn Rabideau himself from Shawn Rabideau Events and Designs. The colors were bright and brilliant and everywhere you looked there was another décor element that tied into the theme. There was an awesome dance floor, colorful balloons, and circus performers everywhere!
Best of all, there were dozens of cool events for the children to do throughout the whole day. There was face painting, balloon animals, carnival games. Shawn Rabideau even made a hat specifically for one-year-old Dejan… now that’s dedication. The circus-themed decor worked well with the space, and it looks like everyone loved it, especially the birthday boy!
I really wish I could have been at this birthday party because it just looks like so much fun! One of the things I liked most about this party is that you can tell from the photographs that the adults at the party are having just as much fun as the children, something you don’t see at every first birthday!
Read the rest of this entry “