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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How We Keep Our Photography Rates So Reasonable

August 16th, 2010 by Beth Baynum | Share Blog

I was speaking recently with Zak Kunish, an event planner we’ve long wanted to work with (because he’s also a cool and fabulous person), about our first job together.    We were reviewing our rates, and he said, “Is that all?  How do you guys make any money?”  It’s a fair question and it got me wondering how many other people we work with think the same thing.

Some people may interpret – wrongly – that a reasonable rate, or a rate they perceive as low, as a reflection of the quality of our photographers talent, or of our service.  Concerned that this may be Zak’s impression, I took the opportunity to explain how we’re able to keep our rates so reasonable.  His interest in my response prompts me to share this with our blog readers.
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The Clinton Wedding is Finally Here and We are Still Guessing!

July 30th, 2010 by Elizabeth Beskin | Share Blog

I must say, I’m incredibly impressed with the class and true nobility of all of the Clinton as they prepare for the wedding of the summer.  Jackie Kennedy would have been proud.  With all the reality TV drama surrounding the minute details of the wedding planning, isn’t it nice that the Clintons have kept everything so quiet.

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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 »

The Latest Trends in Wedding Photography

July 20th, 2010 by Elizabeth Beskin | Share Blog

Many of you have probably read about the latest trends in wedding photography, but even seeing examples of these trends can leave you wondering, “What the heck is THAT?”  As you plan your wedding photography, you may hear a photographer mention some of these options, or you may want to ask about incorporating these trends into your wedding photography.

First, you need to know exactly what these trends are, so you can speak intelligently about them and figure out what is – and isn’t – right for you.  Here’s a brief outline on the latest wedding photography trends, so you can make the right decisions for you and your groom. Read the rest of this entry »

Photographing a Gay Wedding

June 20th, 2010 by Elizabeth Beskin | Share Blog

From our perspective, providing photography for a gay wedding is no different than photographing a wedding for any other male/female union.  Each wedding is unique – gay or not – but the wedding for Andrew and Rob stepped up the “different” factor to another level.  And our photographer really had to be her toes to capture all the fun.

The wedding for Andrew and Rob, planned and executed by Shawn Rabideau of Shawn Rabideau Events and Designs, was small and elaborate.  Their 75 guests came from around the world to celebrate at The Mandarin Oriental over Memorial Day weekend, with a full slate of activities.

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A Bar Mitzvah Goes Hollywood

May 19th, 2010 by Elizabeth Beskin | Share Blog

If you can’t bring the Bar Mitzvah to Hollywood, then bring Hollywood to the Bar Mitzvah!  This is exactly what Robin Lathrop and Suzan Salmon, the extraordinary planners at By Robin, Inc. www.byrobin.com, did for a client’s recent Bar Mitzvah.  They made Noah, the Bar Mitzvah honoree, the star of his own Hollywood production, inviting all his friends and family to share in the fun of “He’s the Man” Film Premiere.

As the photographers and videographers for the Bar Mitzvah, 5th Avenue Social collaborated with By Robin, Inc on some details that helped give the party even more of a Hollywood feel.  We love working hand-in-hand with our clients, providing solutions and ideas that enhance their events.  In this case, we were true creative partners. Read the rest of this entry »

A Valentine’s Day Wedding with Distinction

April 19th, 2010 by Beth Baynum | Share Blog

If a young girl were to imagine her fairy-tale wedding, it would probably look much like the wedding that Nerissa Montemurro brought to fruition in February.  Held on February 13^th, the ceremony was at St. Patrick’s Cathedral, followed by a full-scale reception at the Loeb Boathouse in Central Park.  It was truly the ideal Valentine’s Day wedding of a girl’s dreams.

Nerissa, founder and CEO of Private Receptions, Inc. worked with Corrinne and John for almost a year, planning and coordinating every detail, from the pre-wedding preparations at the Waldorf=Astoria to the carriage ride through Central Park.  Nerissa and the wedding couple included all the traditional, romantic elements but added a few unique touches to make the celebration their own.

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A New Year for 5th Avenue Digital

March 1st, 2010 by Elizabeth Beskin | Share Blog

This year marks a new path for us.  Last year was more about…what do we want to be when we grow up?  We did a lot of soul searching, deciding where we fit as a stand-alone company.  In 2010 we are acting on what we learned and rolling out our plans.

This is our first newsletter letting you know all that we’re doing at 5^th Avenue Digital and our sister companies.  Please let us know what you think!  We are always looking for new ideas and ways to improve, and we welcome your input.

5^th Avenue Digital started as an innovator in digital technology, at a time when the world was still using film.  We have taken that spirit of innovation and brought it into our mission, addressing our clients’ changing needs for our products and our services.  This month we are launching our deconstructed photo booth. Read the rest of this entry »

How the Ultimate Engagement Came to be

March 1st, 2010 by Elizabeth Beskin | Share Blog

As an entrepreneur who’s been involved in the wedding industry for over the past 20 years, I’ve never known a more interesting time to come up with a new idea.

Because nothing is the same as it was ten years ago…

Ever since the internet came to be, information is on overload.  There is so much easy access to information from blogs, wedding websites and directories of vendors, most consumers find the choices overwhelming.

I started my career in the photography industry, where brides first started to purchase their wedding services online.  I saw photographers shoot one wedding with their inexpensive cameras, create quickie websites and – voila! – they suddenly became experienced wedding photographers.  Most people couldn’t detect these photographers’ lack of real experience or artistry from their websites.

As an entrepreneur, I noticed that these brides still wanted heirloom albums.  I created Album Boutique to fill that hole in the market and give all brides a chance get a high quality bound album for a reasonable price. Read the rest of this entry »