Organized by CCK Global Events, in partnership with the American Pet Products Association, the NYC Pet Show was created to address the needs and interests of city-dwelling pet owners.  With appearances by the Dog Whisperer, Cesar Millan, and other pet-centric celebrities, plus presentations from industry experts on topics such as where to travel with your pet this summer, the show featured products and services to help enhance owner/pet relationships.

Because this was the first year for the NYC Pet Show, CCK Global Events, a full-service event sales, production and marketing company, decided it was important to document the presentations, exhibitors and attendees with event photography.  5th Avenue Digital photographers were on hand both days to capture all the unpredictable antics that animals create – especially pets with their fanatical owners.

For CCK Global, the images clearly demonstrate the popularity of this inaugural consumer event, showing the crowds generated each day, the positive responses to the presentations and celebrity appearances, and the interactions between the exhibitors and the pet owners – and the pets themselves!   When CCK Global markets next year’s event, they’ll have a full complement of over 2000 images to use as promotional tools.  Words tell one part of the story, but photos complete the narrative.

Take a look at the photo highlights and see for yourself!

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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.

5th Avenue Digital worked hand-in-hand with the event team to create a seamless production of picture-taking, photo printing and image projection.  The ball started with cocktails, where guests had the first opportunity to take their own portraits with YouBooth.  Their portraits were printed almost instantly, ejecting from the side of the booth, and branded with the hospital’s logo.

The elegant sit-down dinner was served on another floor, where a second YouBooth was positioned.  After the speakers, award presentations and dinner, the dancing resumed and so did the photos.  These photos were almost instantly projected onto large screens strategically located throughout the space.  Within moments after guests took their own photos, using YouBooth’s floor pedal, the shots were shown larger-than-life on the screens.  To augment the evening’s message, the projected images also were branded with the hospital’s logo.

By now everyone was in on the fun, enjoying seeing friends’ faces smiling down from the screens, and snapping their own portraits that they could take home with them.  5th Avenue Digital’s YouBooth turned out to be the perfect answer to our client’s needs, yielding them a satisfied client, whose message was carried home in the hands of all their happy guests.

Event planner Heather Cleary, owner of Dreams Unlimited, is faced with this dichotomy all the time.  She approaches each Mitzvah with a fresh eye and keen focus on meeting these dual (and sometimes dueling) goals.  In her years of experience, she’s learned there’s a subtle alchemy to bringing all the various elements together for a stand-out B’nai Mitzvah.

Case in point is a recent Bat Mitzvah for Hannah.  Heather carefully chose all the vendors for their passion and experience with B’nai Mitzvah celebrations (see below for vendor details).  As the photographer and videographer, we were involved before, during and after the Bat Mitzvah.

In advance of the event, 5th Avenue Digital created a full day of fashion, photos and fun for Hannah and her mom.  After shopping with a stylist to select the perfect outfits, Hannah enjoyed a full day in our studio doing a fashion shoot.  Like a real model, her hair and make-up were professionally done, then she was videotaped and photographed as she posed in her outfits.

The video was used in a montage we produced, to be shown at the Bat Mitzvah.  Some of the photos were enlarged and used as sign-in boards; other photos were projected at the event and included in Hannah’s Bat Mitzvah photo album.  These video and photo shoots laid the foundation for a truly special party that kept the focus on Hannah and allowed everyone to share in her fun.

But what made this Bat Mitzvah really stand out was the family’s enthusiasm and dedication to making everyone feel comfortable.  All the planning was done in consideration of their guests, to ensure each person had a fabulous time.  As Heather says, the priority for Hannah’s parents was to “touch and connect with everyone who mattered to them.”   When all the other elements fall into place, this attitude is what creates a truly memorable B’nai Mitzvah.

Planner:  Heather Cleary, Dreams Unlimited heather@dreamsunlimitedevents.com
Location:  Pearl River Hilton; contact: Gerry Burns – Gerry.Burns@hilton.com
Flowers: Atlas Floral Decorators; contact: Sheila Genesin sheila@atlasfloral.net
DJ and MC:  Untouchable Events; contact: David Randazz  david@untouchableevents.com
Cake: Carlo’s City Hall Bake Shop; contact: Buddy Valastro – buddy@carlosbakery.com
Photography and Video: 5th Avenue Digital; contact – Beth Baynum beth@5thavenuedigital.com

Last year, I had just left the comfort of being a partner in a well established social event photography business, to forge a new direction and venture.  I felt that a Harvard Business School education would fill in the gaps of what I had learned in running my small business for the past 20 years.  Little did I know that while I was at HBS, learning about economics for the first time in my life, the world would be witnessing one of the most significant economic crises in over a generation.

Upon returning from my first three weeks devoted to innovation and seeing opportunity in challenging times, I swam for my life – upstream.  Me, along with all the other event professionals in New York City, who made their living planning and executing events for all those businesses that were suffering.

I may not have had time to reflect on my new found education, but I certainly used it to survive last year.  I made quick turns in our company and went after the opportunities I saw in the market.   Now I’ve taken the time to assimilate what I learned – here’s a quick summary:

•    The corporate photography market had dried up.  However, photography in event marketing was still being used as a way of bringing the brands to the consumers.  I therefore focused our corporate business on photography and technology to target this growing market.  I am proud to say that our event marketing business has continued to grow this year and 5th Avenue Digital is becoming a bigger player in this growing marketplace.

•    After owning one of the most successful social event photography businesses in New York City for over 20 years, I had no desire to make a name for myself in this market again, for many reasons.  However, I saw a number of changes happening in the marketplace that shifted my thinking about getting into social event photography.  With the economic downturn, I saw many potential customers turning to freelance shooters who could better meet their budgets.  I also saw many, many talented photographers not working because they had out-priced themselves in this wedding market segment with limited budgets.  Where there was turmoil, I saw opportunity.   I am now taking this business up a notch by representing some of the top photographic talent in the country, here in New York, much like an agency for the social event market.  We still provide the disk and allow the client to use the images as they wish, but we can provide some of the top social event photographers in the country for a reasonable hourly rate.

•    Should our social event clients choose to make an album, I’ve created a website to help them use their images, where they can create a high end heirloom album.  This was the venture I originally left SMP to build.  Launching the site has been an amazing experience, and I’m happy to say we have made it through the Beta launch and are working toward a robust social media campaign to target the bride and groom that would like a professional digitally designed album at a reasonable price.

•    In the realm of social media, I was given a head start by my friend Ed Monohan at Kodak.   An early morning conversation with Ed convinced me this new medium was worth learning, to help me target the young bride.  I dove in head first and I used this year to build and expand on my knowledge.  Going to conferences and reading books turned into giving lectures and making 16,000 new friends on my social networks.  I will continue to use my love of this new medium to forge new directions for all my ventures.

My brain now thinks differently because of the experience of those first three weeks.  It’s taken me a year to reflect on that knowledge and to see the directions and paths I have chosen because of that experience.

I started off this week planning to reflect on this year’s experience and found that I couldn’t discuss the implementation unit without first discussing the innovation unit.  I can’t wait to go back to HBS.  I miss the friendships, the cultures and complete absorption in expanding my mind.  It has been wonderful to reflect on how I utilized the information received in my first year.

I hope my HBS-OPM friends will share with you some of the innovations they initiated when they returned home last year while the world went through its economic devastation.

What opportunities have you seen in this new paradigm?

I had such a great time sharing my knowledge and helping people understand how they can use social media to help drive traffic to their site, raise their companies awareness, publicize their events and just understand why it’s so important in today’s environment.

To view the rest of the images from this event go to Fifth Avenue Digital

Betsy Kent from Be Visiable Associates was on hand to discuss the parts of the social media equation that she excels in. Blogging, Facebook and helping clients find answers to all their social media questions on her Just Ask Betsy Blog.

I approached the presentation as a small business owner of an events photography company who has discovered the power of these tools and how I use them to build my client base and the respect of my peers. By sharing my knowledge and information on Twitter, Linkedin and my blog, I have developed many friends who in turn, have sent me work for Fifth Avenue Digital.

The Bottom Line in social media is, people like working with people they admire and trust!

The 10 take aways for starting a social media campaign are:

1. Develop your own brand marketing plan

2. Determine what makes you different

3. Build out your NETWORK

4. GIVE VALUE 85% of the time, PITCH 15% of the time

5. LISTEN on Twitter before you talk

6. Embrace your INNER AUTHOR

7. Be GENUINE

8. ENGAGE, EDUCATE AND ENTERTAIN

9. Follow your PASSION

10. Be SELF-AWARE, not self-involved

Special thanks go to Gina Larochelle and the staff at the Oak Room for providing such a wonderful event space. Fredi Budd Ross of Total Entertainment for her efforts in helping Gina and I with the guest list, her production expertise, plasma screens and so much more! And the rest of the fabulous team Gina put together: Nerissa Montemurro from Private Receptions, florals by Renny and Reed, design by Swank Productions, and sound by Caramel Sound and Light. Fifth Avenue Digital provided the event photography.

I’d also like to thank my friend David Adler from Bizbash, for introducing the discussion and all my fabulous friends who have been calling and so supportive.

I had a blast and I’m so excited to see so many of those in the audience signing up for Twitter, Linked-in and Facebook this week. I look forward to staying connected!

So you have a great logo, reflecting your distinctive brand, which – marketing whiz that you are – you want to ensure is seen by a majority of your targeted prospects.  There are lots of ways to do this, and you’re probably familiar with the usual methods: advertising, or giving clients and prospects office tools or little gizmos with your logo imprinted on them.  These are tested and viable tactics, but also…well, a bit dated.  So 1999!

Another way to increase visibility for your logo, that’s tested to be effective but is newer and constantly evolving, is by sponsoring events and using event photography to promote your brand.  For less than the cost of most media advertising, or a month’s PR retainer, you can include your company’s logo on another organization’s event.   With a larger investment, you can sponsor your own event and keep the spotlight on your brand — and only your brand.

To yield the greatest impact from your event, or sponsoring one, you must think beyond the event itself.  Sure, your prospects will see your logo on event advertising and signage, but unless the event is your own, you’ll probably see plenty of other logos next to yours, competing for the same eyeballs.  How can you stand out from the clutter, and leave a lasting impression with your prospects?

The answer: onsite photography.  When you add your company’s logo to the prints, you get branded onsite photography.  Dollars-per-impressions, branded onsite photography is a most effective way to get your logo in front of your prospects.  Whoever comes to your event gets their photo taken, and their photo includes your logo.

Branded photos can be printed and distributed onsite, or sent via email.  Your logo can be dropped in after the photo is taken, or included in the background of the photo.  Either way, your logo is on the final print and the onsite photography is a hit!

By pairing your logo with a person’s photo of himself, you are guaranteeing multiple impressions for your brand.  Every time that person looks at his photo, or shows it to others, your logo is seen and remembered.  By intimately linking with your prospect, your brand identity is reinforced.

Onsite photography is one of the most cost-effective ways to get your brand out there and noticed.  It’s targeted, it’s easy, and it works.

On behalf of their client Samsung, Incentivise created an event for their conference attendees that was purely Manhattan – with a twist – by hosting a luncheon with a “Sex and the City” theme. Against the swanky backdrop of Blue Fin, located in Times Square, the event featured Cosmopolitan cocktails and appearances by Carrie, Samantha, Miranda and Charlotte. Not the real “SITC” characters, of course, but outrageous impersonators who provided plenty of naughty fun and camp.

To ensure an even more memorable experience, Incentivise asked Fifth Avenue Digital to photograph the characters interacting with the guests. We then printed 4×6” photos and inserted them into black folders that had been customized with the Samsung logo foil stamped in white. The framed prints were delivered to Incentivise the next business day, and given to all the guests.

Fifth Avenue Digital provided complete turn-key service for this event, from the photography, to the customized folders, to delivering the final prints. The folks from Incentivise and their guests returned to England with tangible (and branded!) mementos of their Manhattan experience – and, we’re sure, wanting more. That’s New York!

Adding to the excitement of the evening, Fifth Avenue Digital was asked to supply photography of guests arriving and to project the images on large wall spaces flanking the event areas. By creating a wireless network, we were able to make transmission of the images almost instantaneous. Each person was photographed entering the hotel, and by the time they walked up the stairs to the event, they saw themselves projected on a wall next to the entrance. Talk about immediate impact!

Additional highlights of the evening included fire breathing performers and a water ballet. The photos we took and projected became part of this entertainment matrix, creating a visual feast that underscored the modern sensibilities of the W brand.

Other Pictures include guests such as Khloe Karadashian,Cindy Crawford and Her husband Randy Gerber as well as Miss Florida 2009, Anastagia Pierre

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Congratulations to Relevent for pulling off yet another W opening with verve and flair! We’re proud to be working with this forward-thinking agency, and look forward to continuing our creative association.

It was a special treat having behind-the-scenes access to Stadium areas most people don’t get to see, including a walking tour of the stadium. This not only pointed out the many space options for events, but also gave us a peek into the club house and the dug out. We also got an opportunity to touch the famous Joe DiMaggio sign with the quote Thank god for making me a Yankee.

Some of the highlights designed to pique planners’ interest included the introduction of Flogos, which are foam cutouts that float your logo into the air – a fun new brand-reinforcing element exclusive to Total Entertainment. Event guests could also get their pictures taken on the Center Field Score Board and in front of a giant Bronze emblem from the original stadium – and they were able to take the photos home with them.

Additional features of the evening were the great swag, especially the book on the Yankees … the food, most notably the steak cooked on Himalayan salt blocks … Yankee stars Joe Pepitino and Micky Rivers signing autographs on baseballs … fabulous jazz by the Reggie Wood Quartet and more music from the Guthrie Brothers.

Total Entertainment’s Team Cerbelli handled all production for the event. Daryn Murphy Designs did the décor and Bentley Meeker did the lighting. Kudos to all!

We were honored to be asked to participate on this event with Total Entertainment and we look forward to shooting many other jobs at Yankee Stadium in the future.

A major highlight for me was having Debra Morris, Harriet Rose Katz, Melissa Rosenbloom and Marcy Blum all in the same room. It’s always uplifting to be in a room with your most esteemed colleagues.

click here for a downloadable link of all the photos

Whether you’re a Yankee fan or not, the Stadium us a huge hit for event planners. It’s different, it’s fun, it’s New York!

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The entire process, from taking the photos to projecting the enhanced images, took just minutes.  The result: images that became another mode of entertainment.  Like a magician, musician or any other form of entertainment, the effected images enhanced everyone’s experience of the space, creating a visual impact that made guests stop and say, “Wow!”   In the end, it’s the WOW factor that people remember.  The visual images we provided ensure everyone will remember the Hoboken W Hotel opening!