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.

To give the picture-taking a focus, we decided to pose the question, “What’s Hot in Weddings?” and provided an erasable white board on which everyone could write their answer.  This infused the YouBooth photobooth function with some creativity and gleaned many interesting answers.

Bottom line: everyone found the YouBooth entertaining, and best of all, they had an opportunity to upload their photos directly to Facebook, Twitter or email.  This was the first time we’d offered the image sharing feature for a large group, and it was a huge hit. I was beyond thrilled to hear Xochitl from Always A Bridesmaid declare it was the best photobooth she’s seen.

The next night we made our yearly appearance at the BizBash pre-tradeshow party, and brought along YouBooth photobooth.  The social media mavens were in full blast and the crew enjoyed our new social media feature.  We included props for this event, which reminded me yet again of what a difference adding a few fun props makes.  Everyone seems to smile more when you add props!

The following day was the BizBash Expo, where we did double duty.  Our YouBooth was in the social media lounge, and at the ISES booth we offered headshots with professional make-up, beautifully provided by Filis Foreman Make-Up view images here.  Everyone who signed up with ISES at the Expo received the make-up session and a professional headshot.  The promotion was a huge success for ISES, yielding 15 new memberships in one day – a record number that’s sure to be envied by other ISES chapters.  We’re happy to have been a part of that.

I treasure the relationships I’ve developed in our industry, and these events give me wonderful opportunities to reinforce them.  It was so gratifying to show the newest developments of the YouBooth photobooth to the world and to hear all the valuable feedback from my friends and colleagues.  Working these events takes some finesse – and stamina! – but the payoff is invaluable.

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.

Unlike other digital photo booths, YouBooth comes with all the workings inside.  Its sleek, aesthetic design allows it to be seamlessly integrated into any event décor.  With our digital photo booth, your event guests have a blast taking fun photos of themselves, which we brand with your company name, logo or message.   The YouBooth photo booth is an entertainment element as well as a marketing tool.

The photos print in seconds, giving each guest at least one fun picture to take home after the event.   And when they take their photos home, they’re taking your branding home as well.   In most cases, that photo from our digital photo booth will be placed in the frame of a mirror or stuck on the refrigerator for weeks or even months.  Your branding message will be seen again and again, by the recipient — and probably his friends and family too.

Multiply that one recipient by dozens … and those impressions by dozens more … now that’s IMPACT!

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?

1.    Find a professional photographer who knows how to properly light your face to look its best.  Lighting is crucial and getting it right requires an expert.

2.    Make sure the photographer has a simple, flattering background.  Sometimes you’ll be locked into using a standard background that’s on your company’s website, but usually these are universally flattering.  As long as it’s simple and not distracting, a professional photographer can ensure the background color won’t make you look washed-out.

3.    If possible, schedule your headshot session for a time when you can arrive a little early, and not feel rushed about leaving.  Being relaxed adds an air of composure to your portrait.

4.    Before the session, drink plenty of water and get a good night’s sleep.  You’d be amazed what a difference this makes: dehydration and fatigue really come across on camera.

5.    Dress in the fashion you feel best represents you and your business. Your photographer should be OK with you bringing some clothing options.  Jewelry (if any) should be limited to non-distracting pieces.  Medium to dark solid colors are best.  Small patterns are OK, but avoid checks and flesh tones.

6.    Your photographer should have a professional, theatrical-quality make-up mirror in his studio.  Use it!   Make sure your tie is straight, your scarf adjusted just so, that cowlick smoothed down.  Take a moment to be sure that you look the way you want to be seen.  The added confidence of that one moment will read in your photos.

Following these basic steps will give you the platform required for today’s competitive marketplace.  It all starts with YOU at your best, and the synergy you’ll find with the right photographer.

To see more examples of executive headshots click here

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.

Erin explained that they’d wanted to use last year’s event photos on their website and in their printed materials, but the photos they’d gotten “were just too boring.”  She was looking for something more: shots of the room décor and guests engaging with each other, but incorporating interesting angles, close-ups of faces and expressions.

I sent Erin to our website photo galleries and an online link to images from a recent event covered by one of our photographers who excels at this type of event photography, to show her how we can deliver the type of images she wanted.  Erin loved the photographer’s images, and confirmed the booking immediately.

The Progress In Cancer Research event was held last week, and the folks at NFCR are thrilled with their event photos.  The images are exactly what they wanted for their website postings, public relations efforts, brochures and other promotional materials.  Rather than hiring a separate photographer for brochure photos, or relying on stock photos that have no real relation to their organization, they were able to get fantastic marketing photos at a fraction of the cost.

[Show as slideshow]

[View with PicLens]

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.

The mission of the New York Restoration Project is to restore, revitalize and develop under-resourced parks in the five Manhattan boroughs, so no New Yorker suffers from lack of healthy and natural spaces.  This makes them the perfect partner for the Winter Warm Up, which featured nature walks, ice fishing, a winter sports obstacle course, entertainment and – this is where we come in – photos printed onsite that people could take home with them.

[Show as slideshow]

[View with PicLens]

We’re happy to say our photography station was one of the most visited activities at the event!  We worked directly with Aloft Group , a marketing / event agency that helped produce the event for Planet Explore, to provide photos of the kids and their families.  Event attendees got their picture taken in front of a snowy Mount Everest backdrop, and moments later received their printed photo.

To further reinforce branding for Planet Explore and The North Face, the photos were printed with their logos.  Branding photos is easy and inexpensive to do, yet it’s the most effective way to position your company or product name front and center in the minds of your customers.

Despite the cold, attendance at the Winter Warm Up was beyond expectations.  Kids and grown-ups alike enjoyed the food, games, winter walks, and product give-aways from The North Face.  And thanks to our photographer and the onsite prints, they’ll always have a tangible reminder of this special event.

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.

Verizon

Remember the old phone company’s “Reach out and touch someone” cam

paign?  Verizon is still living the slogan, using branded photography to create a more personal relationship with their current and potential customers.  They turned to the creative team at Marketing Werks to execute a series of sponsored events that directly reach and involve consumers.

In October, Verizon used green screen photography at an Islanders game to rein

force their support of the Islanders “Stick Kid” program, and create a one-on-one customer experience.  First, to create the green screen background, we went to the Nassau Coliseum and shot the hockey rink when it was empty, and then added the Verizon and “Stick Kids” logos.

The green screen background put people where they usually can’t go, right in center rink – virtually, if not for real.  The photos reinforce Verizon’s community involvement and commitment to the Islanders “Stick Kids” program, as well as their branding.  And as you’ll see, people loved it!

In August, Verizon sponsored an Air Supply concert at the Westbury Music Fair, and gave some concert-goers an opportunity to meet the band backstage – and get their photos taken with them to commemorate the occasion.

For fans of the band, a huge thrill made even more memorable by having a photo of the event.   For Verizon, the pay-off is in goodwill built, and with their logo included on the photos, consistent brand visibility – for years to come.  The branded photography create an immediate association with their brand and this fun experience.  See for yourself!

Marc Ecko and Rolling Stone

Designer Marc Ecko teamed up with Rolling Stone Magazine to launch his new men’s cologne, Ecko by Marc Ecko.  As part of the launch event at Macy*s Roosevelt Field Mall, they offered branded photographs of anyone who purchased the new cologne, putting each customer on the “cover” of Rolling Stone.  Again, branding was reinforced and brand loyalty encouraged by marrying the customer and brand images – a match made in marketing heaven!

HP and Microsoft

You cannot find a more perfect example of linking event marketing with media advertising than the green screen photography we executed for HP, at the launch event for HP and Microsoft 7.  The event was held at the Museum of Natural History, and the green screen image tied into this location as well as the imagery used in HP’s new print ad campaign.  We formatted the image to create maximum play between it and the people photographed, to great effect as you’ll see below.

Who wouldn’t want to keep one of these fun photos around?  Again, brand reinforcement as its best!

These large corporations realize the power of  branded  photography for their events, how it reinforces relationship marketing, experiential marketing, word of mouth marketing, promotional marketing, direct marketing, retail marketing and brand marketing.  They know how to harness this power, and so can you!

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. We got off-hour access to the museum, and took a number of photos of various dioramas.  This in itself is tricky to do, because the photos have to be taken outside the dioramas, requiring careful and meticulous lighting.  Done properly, the results were fantastic: a green screen background that put the subjects right into the diorama!

It was a big hit with the gala attendees.

You can see more of them by clicking here:

We also created a way to enable St. Joseph’s Hospital to provide their gala guests with a print as a gift, and to make additional donations with each additional print they order.  But I’ll save these details for another blog post.  Today I’m all about green screen photography!

Another creative green screen application was used for two events tied-ins with Rolling Stone Magazine.  The first was held at Santos Party House , produced by the creative folks at Relevent, Inc. and sponsored by Heineken.  They used props to maximum advantage, as you can see for yourself: This is branding at its best: everyone walked away with a really fun photo of themselves, on the cover of Rolling Stone, with the Heineken logo embedded as part of the image and the experience.

The second Rolling Stone event was produced by the magazine’s event staff, to help promote the launch of a new fragrance called Ecko, by designer Mark Ecko.  We set up a portrait station with green screen in Macy*s at Roosevelt Field Mall, and anyone buying the fragrance received their picture on the cover of Rolling Stone as a gift.  The client was so thrilled with this execution of branding as merchandising, they’re considering repeating the promotion in Chicago and other major markets.

Another event at the Museum of Natural History was produced by Kaleidoscope for HP in conjunction with the launch of Microsoft Windows 7.  They took a more product-oriented approach for their green screen photography, but without sacrificing any of the fun or keepsake-quality. Lots of green screen uses, all achieving different marketing and PR goals, all directly communicating to their customer base.  That’s the power of the green screen and green screen photography!