A Look Back on 2011: Lessons Learned From the Trenches

January 18th, 2012 by Elizabeth Beskin | Share Blog

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The overall morale in 2011 was higher than it has been for the past three years.  There was hopefulness in the air.  Here at 5^th Avenue Digital, we saw:

•    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.

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 5^th 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 5^th 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.

Headshots Make a Difference

November 14th, 2011 by Beth Baynum | Share Blog

We’ve long known the impact professional headshots can make to enhance a company’s image, but we recently found out that great headshots can also make a big difference to a not-for-profit organization, too.  In this case, the organization was the International Special Events Society (ISES) and the occasion was the Biz Bash Expo.

At this year’s Biz Bash Expo, we partnered with ISES to ramp up membership recruitment at their booth.  Every year at the Expo, ISES hosts a booth where they offer information and on-the-spot membership sign-up.  Typically, people have taken the information and deferred the membership application.  This year, ISES wanted to encourage memberships at the Expo by offering a free headshot to those who signed up, complete with professional make-up.

The membership drive was a huge success!   ISES garnered 15 new memberships at the Biz Bash Expo, a record for the New York Chapter and perhaps, they think, for the entire organization.  Seems on-the-spot headshots were the perfect incentive. Read the rest of this entry »

The Hazards of an Old Headshot

August 11th, 2010 by Beth Baynum | Share Blog

Imagine this scenario: You’re at a conference and you’re about to speak before a group of industry leaders you’ve long admired.  It’s lunchtime and people are mingling.  One of these industry leaders approaches you, looks at your nametag and says, “Oh!  I’m glad you’re wearing the name badge because I wouldn’t have recognized you from your photo in the program.”

Now you’re feeling less like the expert you are and more like the imposter at the party.  And you’re kicking yourself for thinking your old headshot was okay and the fact that it was years outdated didn’t matter.  Clearly, it matters.

Part Two of the scenario: You’re being introduced by the conference moderator, and the headshot you provided, the one that was printed in the program, is flashing on the screen behind you.  You get on stage, and you can see a number of quizzical looks in the audience, going from the projected headshot to you.  Damn!   Now moving to the top of your new to-do list: contact a professional photographer about getting a new headshot.

In today’s media-savvy world, an outdated headshot can be a true liability to your career and your image.   If your face is in front of people in any way – on a website, blog, newsletter or program – a photo that’s years out of date puts you in a no-win situation.  Either you look like you’re denying your age and uncomfortable with growing older or you look passé and decidedly out of step, with that dated hairstyle and unfashionable suit.

Read the rest of this entry »

Tips for a More Effective Headshot

July 6th, 2010 by Elizabeth Beskin | Share Blog

You know the importance of having a great-looking headshot for your website, social media sites, branding and marketing efforts.  If you don’t already have an up-to-date headshot, it’s understandable you may feel a sense of urgency to get “something” out there so you can start using it for all these purposes.  And in the short term, that may be an acceptable compromise.

But don’t fall into the trap of allowing a less-than-fabulous headshot to linger on your LinkedIn profile!  If your headshot isn’t current, doesn’t look professional nor show you at your best, it’s time to change it.

Don’t make the mistake of settling for an up-against-a-white-wall shot that your friend took yesterday.  It may be current, but won’t look professional. Remember, this is a photo that potentially everyone who comes in contact with you will see.  That’s right…all those eyeballs are on YOU.  A professional, flattering, effective headshot is well worth the small investment.

How do ensure you get an effective, professional headshot?

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Photo Gallery of Executive Portraits

October 1st, 2009 by Elizabeth Beskin | Share Blog

Maximizing your Headshot Effectiveness

September 9th, 2009 by Beth Baynum | Share Blog

on-location and in-studio headshots

You know the importance of having a great-looking headshot for your website, social media sites, branding and marketing efforts.  If you don’t have an up-to-date headshot, it’s understandable you may feel a sense of urgency to get “something” out there.  And in the short term, that may be an acceptable compromise.

But don’t fall into the trap of allowing a less-than-fabulous headshot linger on your LinkedIn profile!  If your headshot isn’t current, doesn’t look professional nor show you at your best, it’s time to change it. Read the rest of this entry »

How Awesome Is This? LinkedIn links 5th Avenue Digital to New Business!

April 17th, 2009 by Elizabeth Beskin | Share Blog

I noticed this posting on LinkedIn a few months ago (it was in the Questions & Answers section under “Event Marketing & Promotions”):

“Does anyone know a good photographer in Chicago to do headshots and automatic uploads?”

Read the rest of this entry »

EXECUTIVE PORTRAIT PHOTOGRAPHY: HOW TO PREPARE

January 6th, 2009 by Elizabeth Beskin | Share Blog

SIX EXECUTIVE PORTRAIT TIPS TO MAKE SURE YOU LOOK YOUR BEST

We at Fifth Avenue Digital are frequently hired to shoot corporate executive portrait photography for companies of all sizes. Understandably, many of the employees who are being photographed for their portraits are concerned about how they will look in the finished shot.

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