Sustaining Success in a Weak Economy

August 26th, 2010 by Elizabeth Beskin | Share Blog

5th Avenue Digital recently hit its two-year anniversary.  There were no celebrations – we’re too busy working!  But the occasion gave us a reason to pause and think about how far we’ve come in the two years we’ve been operating as our own entity.  I thought our blog readers might be interested in what’s happened since separating 5th Avenue Digital from Sarah Merians Photography, and what we’ve done to keep our business viable in this weak economy.

Over 10 years ago, while still a part of SMP, 5th Avenue Digital started by doing corporate photography, and we continued to focus on this segment after the split.  However, we soon realized we’d need to expand beyond this rather narrow market.  The companies officially separated shortly before the start of the economic meltdown.  Subsequently, the corporate work (particularly with our larger clients, Lehman Brothers and AIG) dwindled drastically.  We knew then that we’d need to regroup, find ways to reach new market segments and develop new offerings, if we were going to survive.
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New Takes on Photography Add Pizzazz to Your Holiday Party

August 3rd, 2010 by Beth Baynum | Share Blog

As we get deeper into summer, many event planners – maybe like you? – begin thinking about the winter holidays.  If you’re planning a corporate holiday party, or if you’re a planner who works with companies on their parties, you’re always looking for ways to add some zest to this year’s holiday celebration, a way to take it beyond the typical.

While the economy seems to be (slowly) improving, most companies aren’t ready to return to the blow-out celebrations of the past. (It’s possible we’ll never return to those days, but that’s another subject.)  Shrinking event allocations can burden a planner’s list of challenges: how do you bring in fun, novel party entertainment that won’t gobble up the budget?

New ways to use photography offer the perfect solutions to party ennui.  Following are a few ideas to ignite your creative fire and bring much-needed pizzazz to 2010 holiday parties.  These ideas will deliver that “WOW” factor everyone wants for their events. Read the rest of this entry »

Tips for Maximizing Photo Booth Fun

July 27th, 2010 by Beth Baynum | Share Blog

Now that we’ve gotten our YouBooth photo booth out into the world, and we’re seeing it used for all types of events, we’re discovering new ways to maximize its effectiveness.   Like you’ll find at any party, most people need to get warmed up a bit before they start really having fun with the photo booth.  And as any good host knows, there are a number of methods and things you can use – aside from alcohol! – to get things rolling. Read the rest of this entry »

COPE Event Planners Remain Optimistic about Economic Recovery

July 15th, 2010 by Elizabeth Beskin | Share Blog

While the state of the economy is still a concern for all sectors of business, event planners have reported to us that they see glimmers of hope for the year ahead.  We had a chance to speak with a number of planners at an event hosted by the Council of Protocol Executives (COPE) at Bridgewaters, and found optimism – though guarded in some sectors – prevails among most.

When asked about holiday parties, one planner confirmed that her firm (a large technological services company) would be holding holiday parties in their various offices around the country, and that budgets for them had grown from last year.  Planners in the financial sector echoed this optimistic view.  And while other industry sectors took a more cautious view, the overall mood indicated promise for a more robust economic future.

This upbeat mood is certainly reflected in the photos we captured with our YouBoothphoto booth.  COPE graciously allowed us to showcase the YouBooth photo booth at the event, held in the stunning, panoramic Bridgewaters space with superb food by the Glazier Group chefs.  As usual, people had a blast mugging in front of the YouBooth camera and taking fun pictures with their friends.  Just take a look at the smiling faces below – you’ll start to feel optimistic about the future, too!

Who Knew our YouBooth, Photo Booth is Such a Fun Factory??

June 23rd, 2010 by Beth Baynum | Share Blog

Last night I attended the second anniversary party for La Venue, a fabulously versatile turn-of-the-century event space in West Chelsea, and was doubly delighted – and doubly surprised.  The first surprising delight was La Venue’s space: the old hardwood floors are gorgeous, and while the space is vast, it allows for sectioning off so smaller intimate spaces can be created.

The second surprise and real delight was seeing our YouBooth in action.  We tested our new photo booth extensively during its development, so I’ve seen what it can do.  We’ve already contracted YouBooth for a number of events, and I’ve seen the photos and videos from those events.  But that’s nothing like witnessing for myself how people interact with YouBooth!  Seeing YouBooth at an actual event really opened my eyes to its entertainment value. Read the rest of this entry »

Maximum Impact for Photo Booth Portraits

May 25th, 2010 by Elizabeth Beskin | Share Blog

5th Avenue Digital recently had the good fortune to introduce the versatility of our new photo booth, called YouBooth, to a premier event planning company in New York.  They wanted portraits taken and printed onsite at an event they were producing for an area hospital’s gala event.  They also wanted the portraits projected on large screens for everyone at the event to see.

When they heard about YouBooth, they knew it was perfect for the gala.  The event was held at Steiner Studios in Brooklyn, on the third and fourth floors with to-die-for views of the city skyline.  They wanted a YouBooth unit on each floor, to give everyone an opportunity to get in on the photo fun.

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Results from the Ultimate Engagement

April 8th, 2010 by Elizabeth Beskin | Share Blog

On March 14th, I co-produced an event called the Ultimate Engagement, at Manhattan’s Gotham Hall.  Frequent readers of this blog will know that I created this bridal event with my industry colleague, Maya Kalman, as a way for us to showcase our wedding businesses in a more personalized and targeted format.

Our concept was to give brides a chance to have one-on-one appointments with the masters of the wedding industry.  We put together an impressive group of wedding purveyors, presented in a luxurious venue, along with champagne and hors d’ouevres, informative sessions by wedding industry experts, and trunk shows with high end designers.  It was truly a bridal event like no other.

And I’m happy to report the concept worked!

In addition to being a sponsor of the event, 5th Avenue Digital provided photography coverage – you’ll find a link to the photos below.  We also provided an opportunity to try our new photobooth, complete with bouquet props, courtesy of Diana Gould.  (You can see these photos in our online link as well.)   Plus, we gave brides a chance to meet and see work from two of our top photographers, Julie Skarrett and Robert Evans.

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