Event Focus Friday and BJ Enright

April 20th, 2012 by Elizabeth Beskin | Share Blog

A new addition to 5th Avenue Digital’s team, BJ has been shooting professionally since 2007, gaining a wealth of experience in weddings, engagements, portraits, events, concerts and commercial work.  Born and raised in the Detroit area, he started out second-shooting weddings in Chicago, then moved to Portland (for a girl…) where he spent two years growing his portfolio.  He married that girl last summer, and they moved to NYC in January, when he joined the 5^thAvenue Digital team.

What was the first event you photographed when you knew for sure: ‘This is what I want to do’?

My very first wedding, in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin.  It was a perfect late-summer day, with a backyard ceremony and a beautiful sunset reception at a venue right on the lakeshore.  I was a little nervous about it being my first wedding, but I was the third photographer and operator of the photo booth for the reception — so I was there mostly to learn.  But it was such a rush!  Being there to document such a special day and being witness to really intimate moments that most wedding guests never get to experience was electrifying.  It was both a thrill and an honor to take my skills and apply it to something truly beautiful.

What is the chief characteristic of a memorable photo?

That it really captures something special — whether it’s a mood, a feeling, an individual’s personality, or a moment that could never be recreated again.  One of my favorite things to shoot is pure photojournalism — where my camera becomes a portal to a world that I’m observing, documenting, and capturing forever.  My most memorable photos are those that are both stunningly beautiful and really captivate the viewer to connect with the subject.

If you had to change careers, what would you do?

Oh man, I’ve already changed careers once!  But if I had to do it again, I would love to work as a journalist.  I’m a big news junkie (New York Times, NPR, NBC Nightly News), and I really enjoy writing, so being able to document something with words instead of photos would be an easy transition for me.

How would you describe your signature style in five words?

Real, beautiful, poppy, heartfelt, and timeless.

Whose work have you admired over the course of your career?

I’m really drawn to the work of pure photojournalist photographers — Henri Cartier-Bresson, of course, and also the work of Zoriah, a modern war photographer.  I’ve always adored the portraits of Yousuf Karsh, and someone I’ve admired from the very beginning is Mark Powell — whose street candids in Detroit and Mexico absolutely blow me away.

What new photography trends are you seeing now?

Instagram is huge, of course, and it seems like vintage-looking color filters and treatments are all the rage.  People are starting to organize Insta-walks (or Instameets), where users meet up and take photos together.  I love the speed and ease-of-use of Instagram, but I’d prefer using my dSLR over my smart phone!

How do you keep it together when the stress is on?

My wife.  She’s my rock.

What job or person gave you your first “big break”?

Interlochen Arts Camp!  I worked there as a summer camp counselor for five years, then returned for a sixth working for the marketing department.  It was my first real photography job, and I spent the summer taking photos of camp life and special events.  The biggest thrill was having a house-pass to shoot all the big shows that came through, such as the Wallflowers, Augustana, Ra Ra Riot, Indigo Girls, and Steve Miller Band!

How has the industry changed since you started?

It’s all about social networking nowadays.  Word of mouth can only go so far, but more and more people are searching for photographers or finding their work online.  It’s important to keep up a constant web-presence through blogging, Facebook, and Twitter — and equally important to interact with people enjoying your work that way.

Name three things you enjoy photographing most.

Live concerts, people sitting across the table from me at dinner or coffee, and my wife.

Describe your ultimate dream assignment

A destination wedding in a really remote location, like a temple in the Himalayas or a small Caribbean island.

 What’s your preference: Color or Black & white?  Why?

I love really poppy color, but I’d have to choose black & white.  There’s something really beautiful about isolating a photo to just light and shadow, where the focus is on the feel and mood of the image.  Not to mention you don’t have to worry too much about white balance and getting the color right!

What do you think you’ll be working on a year from now?

Continuing to work hard and shooting lots of incredible event images for 5th Avenue Digital!

I want to be a great event photographer: what’s the single best tip you can give me?

You can never have too much backup equipment!

Who or what inspires you the most?

My faith.

Your next birthday: blowout bash or meditative retreat?

Meditative retreat — preferably to someplace warm with a beach!

To see more of BJ’s event photography check out his portfolio here