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 »
In celebration of the new Smurfs movie, New York City’s tourism agency, NYC & Company, proudly announces this week is Smurf Week in New York. All are welcome to stop by Columbus Circle and check out the Smurf Village. Marvel at the 3-D mushroom houses and a 40-foot-tall inflatable Smurf. Today only (Monday, July 25), visitors can take pictures next to their favorite Smurf until 7pm. You’ll also find Smurf merchandise giveaways, face painting and much more. Bring your children and take home a photo of them with the Smurfs! And be sure to say hello to our photographer, Stavros.
For a list of all the Smurf activities happening in the city go to the NYC & Company website
When 5th Avenue Digital provides photos printed onsite, whether via green screen photography or our photo booth, clients often ask if the background matters. The short answer is YES! Backgrounds can make a huge difference in how your photos look and (especially for corporate or sponsored events) what message your photos convey.
Consider photos printed onsite as an extension of your marketing efforts. Branding for your prints is as important as branding for the other elements of your event. Making the logo or branding message work seamlessly with your photo background is important, and we’re always happy to provide our insight and knowledge on how to best accomplish this.
If you want to convey new – fresh – fashion-forward as your event’s marketing message, we recommend incorporating bright, vivid colors into your background. This was the impression Lord & Taylor wanted to create with the splashy launch event for their renovated flagship store on Fifth Avenue. They brought in our YouBooth photo booth to entertain the crowd and reinforce their marketing message, and here’s the background they created:
What an impact these intense colors have on the photos!  And the logo placement is worth noting, because it connects the store’s brand with the photos’ bright, fashion-oriented style.
If course, there’s always the tried-and-true event marketing tactic of step-and-repeat photos, using a printed banner emblazoned with logos. Step-and-repeat photography is used so much because it effectively and (somewhat) subtly communicates a sponsor message. However, the design of the step-and-repeat background can reinforce or detract from your message, depending on how it’s done. The most effective step-and-repeat backgrounds limit the number of logos and the colors to one or two, like these:
When the party portraits are converting to black and white photos, a plain white or soft color background is often best, or a background with a simple black and white pattern, because colors can look muddy when converted to black and white. Sometimes, a simple architectural element in a space, such as a brick wall, works well for black and white prints.
When you want to glam it up, a glittery background adds some drama to your prints. Add a few feather boas and other props to give the background added impact. They work together to create a real party feel for your onsite prints.
Another option is to use a large printed image as a background, as shown in the examples below for Northface outerwear and Disney.  The only caution here is that you have to be careful about lighting, to avoid glare against the glossy finish of the printed background. That’s why you have to rely on the experts (us!) to avoid these pitfalls.
Finally, no review of background options would be complete without mentioning the ultimate in background selection: green screen photography. A green screen allows you to insert any background you want, so the choices are almost endless. Whatever the focus or theme of your event, we can create a background that supports and reinforces it.
When you (or your client) are sponsoring an event, you want to come up with as many ways as possible to connect your logo and marketing message to the event. Signage is the first and most common tactic that brands the event as yours. The problem is, in these times of marketing over-saturation, a sign rarely breaks through the visual clutter. Most signage is barely noticed, and if it is, it’s forgotten a second later. What’s the point in spending hundreds of event budget dollars on a branding message that has no impact?
A more effective use of those hard-won event budget allocations is to put those dollars toward something people will notice and remember. Better to invest in branding efforts that really make an impact, putting your name and logo in front of your target audience and driving your event message home. And that’s exactly what you get with YouBooth, our new digital photo booth.
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?
We often talk to event planners who want quality photography for their events, but have trouble justifying the expense to their client or board. Instead of investing in a professional photographer, they assume that assigning an associate to point-and-shoot will give them decent photos and save them money. In some cases, this might be true. But many planners haven’t recognized that professional event photos can serve more than one purpose, and can actually save the client money in the long run.
This point was proven yet again with an event we photographed recently for the National Foundation for Cancer Research (NFCR).  Their savvy Director of Marketing and Communications, Erin Chen, called me about photography for their event at the New York Hilton, saying she wanted more than the typical “stand and smile” photos they usually get. She was looking for artistic, emotionally evocative images they’d be able to use for marketing.
One of the most rewarding aspects of our work here at 5th Avenue Digital is being involved in events that truly help local communities. When I see a company that brilliantly merges their marketing efforts with positive social programs, using social media to promote them – well, I have to admit to being impressed and thrilled. It’s rare to see all these elements come together so effectively.
The North Face, the well-known manufacturer of clothing for outdoor enthusiasts, is the latest company to thrill me with their blend of branding, event marketing and community outreach. We were pleased and gratified to assist in one of these community events last Saturday, February 13th.
This special event was created and sponsored by Planet Explore, a new online community enabled by The North Face. Planet Explore, dubbed “a portal to the outdoors,” helps individuals and families learn about and participate in outdoor activities and events in their area. Planet Explore teamed up with the New York Restoration Project to produce the Winter Warm Up event in Swindler Cove Park, at the Northern tip of Manhattan. Read the rest of this entry »
Today’s consumers are inundated with media messages. We get bombarded from all sides with advertising, so much that we end up tuning out most of it. This fact isn’t lost on corporations. They are hungry for new ways to more directly connect with their customers.
These companies are learning that branded photography is an ideal way to create a personal, one-on-one connection with their customers. And because the connection is created with a photograph, it’s personal, tangible and lasting.
So who’s doing this, and how? Here’s a round-up of some recent events we’ve produced using branded photography for large corporations.
Lately, green screen photography has become more in-demand for events. In taking on these projects we’ve found new ways to use green screen technology that yields big benefits for our clients. Here’s a run-down of some of these innovations that may spark ideas for your events.
For St. Joseph’s Hospital gala at the Museum of Natural History, they wanted to break away from the usual “stand and smile” portrait photo, and offer something a little different. Playing off the location, we created a green screen photography background using a photo of one of the dioramas at the museum. Read the rest of this entry »
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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.
