The Gateway School Spring Gala 2019

The Gateway School’s signature fundraising and community event of the year took place on Thursday, May 2nd at the Mandarin Oriental right here in New York City. The program included a silent and live auction, and a musical performance by world renowned violinist Itzhak Perlman. Mr. Perlman performance several pieces with Gateway School students.

Photographing events like this gala always provide interesting challenges (lighting, when I can and not photograph), subjects, and angles. Event photography keeps me on my toes! I wanted to capture a great shot of the room with Columbus Circle and Central Park in the background before it became too dark outside. Unfortunately, the formal event did not start until after dark. Luckily, I was able to provide the client several photos of guests taking photos of and with the view. I even included a slow exposure shot of Columbus Circle at night and a day time to night time time lapse.

Venue: Mandarin Oriental New York

Client: The Gateway School

Matt + Erica Gantry Plaza Proposal

Congrats Matt and Erica! About a month ago, Matt and I started planning how and where he’d propose. Since Matt and Erica live in Long Island City, near Gantry Plaza State Park, Gantry Plaza with its awesome views of the New York City skyline only made sense.

Photographing a Long Island City Proposal makes me love NYC that much more. It is quintessential New York

Together, Matt and I, scouted the area, sent texts and emails with screenshots of the area, watched the weather, created a Plan A and a Plan B, and decided on a post proposal restaurant for a brunch.

The morning of Matt’s proposal the weather was “iffy” with rain in forecast. I arrived to Gantry Plaza a whole 90 minutes early to send Matt final photos of our Plan A location. I also sent a Plan B location which was under an awning. Finally, with 40 minutes to go and the rain drops subsiding we said “Plan A is a go!”. The skies cleared.

As I saw Matt and Erica approach I cleared the pier. It was a HUGE surprise for Erica.

capturing a mini-engagement session provides variety in the images i can deliver (posed and candid photos)

We took full advantage of the Spring flowers on our post proposal shoot.

2019 Alumni Global Day of Service NYC - Binghamton University

The sixth annual Binghamton University Alumni Global Day of Service united Binghamton University graduates with community service projects. Alumn showed off their “Bing pride” and the collective power of volunteerism within their community. The New York City alumni chapter split their time amongst 3 sites on 2 separate days; Astoria Park, a Williamsburg school, and the Special Olympics Upper West Side training field.

NYU Bronfman Center - New Torah

On April 11, 2019 the NYU Bronfman Center Hillel finished their commissioned torah alongside the Downtown Synagogue. Members of their community gathered at the Strand bookstore several blocks away from the Bronfman Center to write the last few words in their torah. Once complete students paraded the torah over to its new home where they celebrated.

Venue: Strand Bookstore and NYU Hillel Bronfman Center

Client: NYU Bronfman Center | Hillel at NYU

Friends Academy Annual Dinner and Auction 2019

The 27 Annual Friends Academy Annual Fund held at the Garden City hotel is the single most important fundraiser of the school year. The Annual Fund provides unrestricted funding for the operating budget, contributing approximately 7% to the total budget each year. Funds raised provide opportunities beyond those covered by tuition and fees.

Throughout the night faculty performed skits and led an auction to remember.

We are the Best Long Island Event Photographers NY has.

Yes, that’s a big statement to say. We said it. However, we can back it up. Our years of event photography experience for clients of all levels has prepared us to photograph events of all sizes and complexities. From NYC to Connecticut to Montauk and down to Washington D.C. our event photography style and method stands out.

Event Photographers should ask for a “shot list” of must have photos before your event. How else will they know what the key photos are?

Jonathan Heisler Photography, with their team of event photographers understands event photography and great photos captures the “5 Ws’; Who, What, When, Where, and Why.

Venue: Garden City Hotel

Client: Friends Academy

Lincoln Center Fountain Marriage Proposal

Lincoln Center is one of my favorite spots to walk around, to photograph, and to capture marriage proposals. Whether you come to Lincoln Center to see jazz, The Metropolitan Opera, the City Ballet or a concert at the Beacon Theater nearby, there’s something for everyone.

When Aaron approached me about photographing his Valentines Day proposal he asked for suggestions on where to propose. He thought about proposing in a restaurant, but due to logistics of hiding a photographer in a restaurant and it being valentines day (no restaurant would allow this) I suggested doing it elsewhere. Grand Central is beautiful, but there a lot of people. It would not be intimidated. Knowing Aaron lived on the Upper West Side I suggested Lincoln Center, right in front of the fountain.

Aaron and I went back and fourth planning this special moment. No detail was too small. Aaron ordered flowers and sketched out how they should be laid out. We spoke with Lincoln Center Security to guarantee we could lay out flowers around the fountain and to ensure we’d have an unobstructed space.

The day came and the weather was perfect. We texted back and fourth waiting for the time to arrive.

At 6:30 they arrived. He asked, she said “Yes!”.