My Thoughts on Being an Enterprising Woman

There was no shortage of fearless women in Ft. Lauderdale at the annual Enterprising Women Conference last week.  I was honored to be named Enterprising Woman of the Year, along with other successful women from around the globe.  Their stories were very similar: fierce ladies doing fierce things for their clients, their employees, their communities. And…always trying to be fierce for themselves.
Here we were at the Ritz Carlton…the beach mere tantalizing steps away…and we were all inside listening and learning from each other.  I would have missed time on the beach if I didn’t get so much out of talking with these exceptional women.  Here are my key take-away lessons:
•    Everyone’s journey is long and winding, but innovation is the consistent key for dramatic growth.

•    Only 2% of all women’s businesses make it above one million a year in revenue.  I didn’t realize what a big feat it was the first time I did it in my last business. I’m thrilled to be close this time around.

•    Most women’s businesses never get financing from banks, angels or venture capitalists; most grow their businesses solely through the help of family and friends.  This has yet to change.

•     Financing for women is less than 2% of all traditional financing.

•    There are new positions in government for women’s business initiatives, but they’ve been slow to yield true benefits.
•    Lots of organizations are helping women-owned businesses around the world, but what about the ones here in the US?  Financing from US banks and foundations is still very limited.

•    Creating a product in America is hard work and takes persistence, but there is tremendous satisfaction when it can be done.

Click to view the press release from the 2012 Enterprising Woman of the Year Awards and check out the other fabulous women honored.

Ideas for Wedding Photography – from the Best of 2011

The best way to get new ideas is from looking at what’s already been done, and planning a wedding is no exception.  This past year we shot weddings of all types: large and small, raucous and intimate, religious and civil.  Each was a beautiful reflection of the couple and the people closest to them.
The trend for weddings these days is to make it your own.  Gone are the cookie-cutter weddings!  Now, it’s all about individuality.  Photography is the perfect way to showcase and document what makes a wedding special.  To that end, here are examples of our favorite wedding photography for 2011.

[Show as slideshow]

[View with PicLens]

12►

Best of 2011: New York City Engagement Photos

Some engagement stories just draw you right in.  Like the one where the smitten boyfriend rents out the entire Rockefeller Center ice skating rink so it’s private when he gets on bended knee.  And the proposal where the entire family is secretly gathered to share in the celebration right after she said yes.  Every engagement scenario is special and unique.  We feel honored when we’re allowed to document the visceral energy that glows from a newly-engaged couple. Read the rest of this entry »

Best of 2011: YouBooth Photo Booth favorites

We saw the photo booth trend grow even stronger in 2011.  We are lucky to have had our YouBooth photobooth at some fabulous events last year.  From Fashion Night Out to Google’s holiday party, the New York City photo booth phenomenon is staying in full gear.  With the advent of our Social Media Portal, YouBooth is all the rave in event marketing, mitzvahs and weddings alike.

We are very pleased to share some of our favorite  YouBooth photobooth images from 2011.

[Show as slideshow]

[View with PicLens]

12►

Best of 2011: On-Site Prints at Events

There are few things more satisfying for us than to be known for providing high quality onsite prints and green screen photography.  Over the past three years we have watched photography needs change as the economy shifted the landscapes of the event industry.  Event marketing has increasingly become a sweet spot for our company.  Time after time we are asked to create event marketing photos, usually branded with a logo, for guests to take home. Read the rest of this entry »

Best of 2011: Social Event Photography

  Here are some of our favorite photos from 2011′s monumental birthday parties, anniversary parties and rehearsal dinners.  It is truly a pleasure to share these occasions with our happy clients.

[Show as slideshow]

[View with PicLens]

Best of 2011: Corporate Headshots

We know how important it is for executives to have a good photo for social media, the company website and speaking engagements.  This year, we had the privilege of working with more executives at our clients office or chosen location. These environmental headshots help our clients set themselves apart from their competition.  There are still many companies that prefer their executive portraits to have clean white, grey or black backdrops.  This is the preferred method when there are multiple offices outside of the New York area.  Here are some of our favorite corporate headshots from 2011.

[Show as slideshow]

[View with PicLens]

Best of 2011: Mitzvahs Photographs

Bar and Bat mitzvah photography is a huge favorite of mine.  It marks a wonderful moment in time for a family and provides the perfect opportunity to capture the family as they are right now.  We saw many thirteen year olds go through this wonderful right of passage and  were lucky enough to share in many joyous mitzvah celebrations. Here are a few of our favorites from last year.

[Show as slideshow]

[View with PicLens]

12►

Best of 2011: Marketing Photos

Every year we are asked to do marketing photos for various corporation.  This year was no exception.  We had the pleasure of working on a brochure for A hotel, a Restaurant and even a mall developer.  The best part was the happy customers.  Here are a few of the chosen images.

[Show as slideshow]

[View with PicLens]

Best of 2011: New York City Group Shots

[Show as slideshow]

[View with PicLens]