Shalom Hartman Institute | Full Day NYC Conference

Recently, I captured a full day conference for Shalom Hartman Institute at their Morningside Heights Manhattan, NY office. Most of the photos were candids and some were a bit more staged. The staged photos aimed to show “engagement” and a “shared learning experience”, all of the keywords I often hear in Higher Education Photography. I’ll admit it is always tricky to stage shots during a live conference, however I usually can find 5-10minutes here and 5 minutes there at the end / beginnings of sessions to do my thing.

Downtown Minyan New Torah Completion

The Downtown Minyan celebrated the completion of their new Sephardic Torah at their NYU Bronfman Center location. The group welcomed both members of their congregation, as well as the community to take part in the prayer scrolls completion. For me, it was a real honor to have photographed this event. This was the second torah completion ceremony I was able to photograph for the Downtown Minyan and the third torah completion I had the privilege of photographing in 2019.

Event photography is more than photographing great photos. A good event photographer photographs emotion and memories.

After the group finished the last few characters they celebrated and paraded their new torah through Washington Square Park. Knowing my photos will be used in 5, 10, 50, or even 100 years to tell future generations about this moment is what makes my job as an Event Photographer in New York City so great.

Hamlisch Awards - The First Annual | NYC Event Concert Photographer

The Hamlisch Awards were hosted and cosponsored by Queens College. The awards celebrate young emerging composers from around the world and were created to honor the late Marvin Hamlisch, paying tribute to his legacy as both an artist and an advocate for emerging musicians.

NYC Event Photography - Event Photographer is one of the best jobs.

My goal as a NYC based Event Photographer is to photograph the moments that matter. In doing so, I want to photograph the Who, What, Where, When, and Why of the event. My photos, in order to be successful, must show excitement, energy, and purpose throughout the event. These are the characteristics of great photos. Event photographers are hired to produce images that can be used in marketing and advertising materials. NYC’s best event photographs are hired because their images tell an interesting and engaging story, and get people interested in an event.

A History of the Hamlisch Awards

Started in 2013, the awards began as the Marvin Hamlisch Film Scoring Contest, presented by the Washington, DC-based nonprofit CINE. Hundreds of composers from around the world submitted their work to be selected as an emerging media composer. In 2019, the Marvin Hamlisch International Music Awards expanded their contest’s impact, adding three additional categories. Emerging composers can now apply for the following three categories: composition for musical theatre, film scoring, classical composition and jazz composition.

The evening included celebrities from across the media landscape. Stars such as the former New York Yankees Manager Joe Torre, home decor star and tv host Martha Stuart, Paul Schaffer, Robert Klein, and several others.

Venue: Queens College Lefrak Concert Hall

Sarah Hurwitz - Former Michelle Obama Speech Writer

Sarah Hurwitz, head speechwriter for First Lady Michelle Obama and author of the new book "Here All Along” joins Columbia-Barnard students at the Kraft Center. Besides discussing her new book, Sarah also discussed her experience as Mrs. Obama’s speechwriter, the challenges of writing for someone else while maintaining their voice, and her non-linear career path.

TestMasters LSAT Prep Class - Queens College

Recent shoot for Los Angles, California based LSAT prep class client TestMasters. This specific session was held at Queens College in Queens, New York. As to not disturb the class, with my tasks of capturing “active engagement and class participation”, I asked the teacher to work with several students one on one prior the start of class. Here I can instruct the teacher and the students to relax, move around, and add/remove certain objects (books, laptops, bags, coffee cups).

Having photographed for universities and schools I understand how to make learning look fun.

Florida International University Business School - New York City Visit

Florida International University business students visited an array of New York City companies to learn about their day to day operations, business strategies, and potential job opportunities. The FIU business students even interviewed for summer 2020 internships and full-time positions at several of the companies. Throughout the week long trip, the students visited the NBA HQ, JP Morgan, Morgan Stanley, Black Rock, IHS MarkIT, and Goldman Sachs.

Throughout the week I photographed the students actively engaging industry professionals of all different seniority levels. During a quick break I was able to offer the students headshot photos as well in a shaded area of Bryant Park.