Event Focus Friday with Stavros Panopoulos

On his way to becoming a filmmaker, Stavros Panopoulos was seduced by the beauty of still photography. After studying with some of NYC’s best photographers, he opened his own studio with an impressive client base of major corporations. With a dedication to planning, exactness and organization as his basenote, Stavros developed a signature style similar to a jazz musician’s—of precision and spontaneity. Every subject, whether a portrait, still life, wedding or landscape, is a visual improvisation, a chance to learn and express something new while keeping in tune with his clients’ vision. As Stavros says, “this is a job that is easy to love.” Stavros shares more of his ideas and inspirations with us.

What makes a great event photographer?

Preparation and flexibility are the foundations of successful and great event coverage. Being able to approach the job with a plan and be ready to let go of it and adapt to a more appropriate approach—this is what generates success and appreciation from the client. Read the rest of this entry »

5th Avenue Digital’s Social Media Portal

Last night, 5^th Avenue Digital was awarded a Big Apple Award from the New York Metro chapter of ISES (the International Special Events Society), for Best New Product.  We couldn’t be prouder!  Our new product is the Social Media Portal, and since winning the award lots of people have been asking us: what IS the Social Media Portal?  For all those inquiring minds, here’s the answer.

At events where we provide photography, the Social Media Portal enables everyone to select their favorite photos and email them, or post them on Facebook and Twitter.  This works for portraits, with green screen photography, or even with general photography coverage.  Photos are sent to our Portals almost immediately, where they can be viewed and selected.  Here’s a screen shot of the selection page, which can also be branded with a logo in the upper right corner.

The images are ready to select almost instantly after they’re taken. Selecting and posting images is super-easy, and we provide a Host to assist anyone with questions.  We provide three types of stands: a clamp that attaches to a counter or table, a stand for high-boy tables and a floor stand.

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How to Shoot a President…With a Camera, That Is!

Yes, that’s me standing next to George W, and not the one you see in Madam Tussaud’s – although I’ll admit it’s hard to tell.

Last week we had the pleasure of working on the annual fundraising event for the Jewish Enrichment Center (JEC), along with the amazing folks at Global Events, Gotham Hall, Bentley Meeker and Foremost Caterers – plus the former president’s staff and Secret Service detail.

These grip-and-grin photos don’t just happen spontaneously; they are fully staged, with plenty of pre-planning.  This was by far our most carefully produced step and repeat session.  Happily, all the advance work paid off, because the results are spectacular.  We were able to take 150 images of the President with the VIP supporters of the JEC.  After the portrait session with President Bush, the photos were printed onsite and placed into engraved silver frames for the special guests to take home after the program.

What made this photo session unusual for us was the black curtain blocking all the guests from the portrait station, so no one saw President Bush until their turn for the photo.  There was also a Disneyland-worthy line that snaked around as people waited for their private time with the former president.  These parameters were arranged through Bush’s secretary of special projects.  She had the final word on where the president would stand, how big the line needed to be and how to quickly distribute the prints. Read the rest of this entry »

Photos Tell the Story: Harvard Event Honors Inspiration

I am proud to have been invited to be part of such a great organization as Harvard Business School Women’s Alumni of New York.  These accomplished women get together monthly to network, learn, inspire and give back to their communities.
Having graduated from HBS in October, I’m new to the group, which is one the largest alumni associations out of Harvard.
I’ve been to two events and I’m impressed with the warmth and intelligence of all the women I have met.  Some graduated in 1973, some graduated in 2003.  All work in fascinating businesses and I’m proud to share a common bond with these women. Read the rest of this entry »

Event Photography with a Mission: When Cause and Cachet Come Together

5^th Avenue Digital provides event photography for many organizations that support numerous worthy causes, but few have the high wattage cachet of the International Crisis Group .  The Crisis Group is now generally recognized as the world’s leading independent, non-partisan source of analysis and advice to governments and intergovernmental bodies like the United Nations, on the prevention and resolution of deadly conflict.

Crisis Group was founded in 1995 to act as the world’s eyes and ears for impending conflicts, with a highly influential board that mobilizes effective action from the world’s policymakers.  Their work is applauded and supported by former President Bill Clinton and other influencers from international political and media arenas, who were on hand to commemorate Crisis Group at their annual gala.   5^th Avenue Digital provided general photography coverage and step-and-repeat photos for the event, held at The Pierre.

With Clinton and George Soros among the political bigwigs, the gala also was attended by Robert Redford, Charlize Theron and other Hollywood luminaries, all lending their star power to the cause.  In the many years we’ve been providing photography for events of all types and sizes, we’ve seen and photographed numerous celebrities.  Few have the charisma that draws attention like Bill Clinton.  He’s the star satellite of any event.

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Seeds of Peace Fundraiser at the Plaza Hotel

We recently had the distinct pleasure to provide photography for two fundraising events for Seeds Of Peace.  The mission and work of this organization, extraordinary in its concept and creation, deserve more attention. Read the rest of this entry »