Jonathan Heisler

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Capturing Global Diplomacy: Photographing Foreign Policy’s UNGA Event at Studio Gather

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As a corporate event photographer in NYC, I had the privilege of capturing Foreign Policy’s UN General Assembly event at Studio Gather by Tishman Speyer. Located high above Rockefeller Center, this venue offered a breathtaking backdrop for discussions shaping global diplomacy.

The event featured a dynamic panel discussion, bringing together thought leaders to address pressing global issues. My approach focused on balancing wide-angle shots to capture the grandeur of the venue and close-ups to highlight the intensity of the discussions. This dual perspective ensured a comprehensive visual narrative of the event.

Key Elements Captured:

  • Panel Discussions: Photographed experts engaging in meaningful dialogue, emphasizing the significance of their contributions.

  • Audience Engagement: Captured attendees' reactions and interactions, showcasing the event's impact on participants.

  • Venue Ambiance: Highlighted the unique architectural features of Studio Gather, integrating the environment into the storytelling.

If you're planning a corporate event in NYC and seek a photographer who can deliver high-quality, storytelling images with a quick turnaround, let's connect. I'd be honored to capture your next event.

UN General Assembly 2024: Capturing Global Diplomacy in NYC | Jonathan Heisler Photography

Photographing the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York City is always an honor and a unique challenge. As a seasoned NYC corporate event photographer, I've had the privilege of capturing various high-profile events, but nothing compares to the scale and significance of UNGA.

In 2024, I was tasked with documenting the Turkish Mission's activities during the General Assembly. This included photographing President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan's address, bilateral meetings, and various diplomatic engagements. The challenge was to balance the grandeur of the event with the intimate moments that define international diplomacy.

Key Aspects of UNGA Photography:

  • High-Level Speeches: Capturing the intensity and significance of world leaders' addresses.

  • Bilateral Meetings: Documenting one-on-one discussions between leaders, highlighting the nuances of international relations.

  • Candid Moments: Photographing spontaneous interactions that reveal the human side of diplomacy.

  • Venue Details: Highlighting the iconic architecture of the UN headquarters and the surrounding NYC skyline.

Utilizing a dual-camera setup, I ensured comprehensive coverage—from wide-angle shots that captured the scale of the assembly to close-ups that highlighted the emotions and expressions of the participants. This approach allowed for a diverse and dynamic representation of the event.

If you're planning a corporate event in NYC and seek a photographer who can deliver high-quality, storytelling images with a quick turnaround, let's connect. I'd be honored to capture your next event.

Photographing an editorial shoot - KPMG

When I was in high school I only knew two types of professional photographers, Wedding Photographers and Photo Journalist (news photographers or sports photographers), but what does an 18 year old kid know. The world of professional photograph is so, so much more.

Editorial photographers operate within a unique niche of photography which combines so many different skillsets and styles. The moments we capture are planned, stylized, and yet somewhat candid. On today’s session, we had loose brand guidelines and a very long shot list of items we needed to capture. To summarize, our main goal was to capture the newly renovated NYC office space with people, without people, and the people of the KPMG Ignition team collaborating with one another.

Dean's Williamsburg Brooklyn Rooftop Proposal

Dean chose a tasteful and perfectly timed way to propose atop the Wythe Hotel in Williamsburg Brooklyn. He rented one of the hotels best rooms with a magnificent view of the Manhattan skyline.

Why the Wythe Hotel Rooftop Is a Perfect Proposal Spot

  • Spectacular Manhattan Skyline Views — From the rooftop at Wythe, you see sweeping Manhattan vistas. The Empire State, lower Manhattan skyscrapers, the East River, all framed in one view. It’s dramatic, romantic, and ideal for photos with impact.

  • Rooftop Ambience + Privacy — Compared to public parks or busy bridges, a hotel rooftop offers more control over the moment: fewer interruptions, cleaner lines of sight, and a more curated setting that feels both elevated and personal.

  • Golden Light Opportunities — The height and orientation of Wythe’s rooftop make it especially good at dusk. As the sun sets, light casts across the cityscape beautifully—softening edges, creating golden tones, and giving romantic warmth to every shot.

  • Stylish, Urban Vibe — Williamsburg itself mixes gritty charm and modernity. The Wythe Hotel rooftop strikes that perfect balance: upscale enough to feel special; still full of texture, character, and edge that speaks of NYC.

Capturing Dean’s Proposal: Details & Moments

Dean planned carefully. He booked one of Wythe Hotel’s best rooms—positioned to give views right over the city. I scouted ahead to find angles that would maximize both view and light, especially as sunset approached.

As dusk set in and the sky softened, Dean asked. The moment landed against a backdrop of glowing city lights and fading day. Afterwards, we walked around the rooftop edge, capturing reflections, silhouette shots, and candid reactions. The architecture, the skyline, and the emotional punch all came together in images that feel cinematic and real.

If you’re considering proposing in Williamsburg—especially somewhere elevated like the Wythe Hotel rooftop—and you want that moment captured with elegance, heart, and cinematic beauty, let’s connect.

Jonathan Heisler Photography is comprised of New York City photographers specializing in photographing private NYC proposals, as well as engagement sessions and weddings.

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Photographing Upwardly Global's Annual Gala and Fundraiser

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Our team of professional NYC Event Photographers have extensive experience covering Award Ceremonies and Galas, Conferences, Fundraisers, and so, so much more. We bring a unique mix of technical expertise and a friendly, yet professional down-to-earth working style to every assignment. Our deliverables incorporate posed photos, candid moments, and wide environment photos showcasing your venue and engaged audience.

When photographing tonight’s fundraiser with an auction, we made sure to capture the energy of the guests and the amazing venue, Tribeca 360, with its unrivaled views of Lower Manhattan and Midtown.

Photographing a Discussion and Conference at the NYTimes Center

Our strategy around event photography: Have an unobtrusive presence and document the story of the event. It’s that simple. You focus on running your event and we’ll make sure it’s photographed from all the different perspectives with quality images that are beyond useable; galas, dinners, awards, conference, panel discussions, activations, and much, much, more.

What separates us apart from other New York City photographers is our background in event marketing and public relations, prior to becoming a full-time professional NYC photographer. We bring a unique mix of technical expertise and a friendly, yet professional down-to-earth working style to every assignment. Our deliverables incorporate wide environment photos showcasing your venue and engaged audience, posed group shots, close up detail photos (vendor items / displays / handouts), candids, and numerous creative point of view photos offering new perspectives.