March was supposed to be a great month. As any New York photographer will tell you, New York City is the best in the Spring. As the weather gets warmer the photography business gets going. It’s full speed ahead until Thanksgiving. Warm weather = more photography jobs. Heck, it was supposed to be the best season yet! I had projected it to be the best month yet and I had the jobs booked to prove it. I had several full day conferences to photograph, a wedding, several corporate headshot days with all new clients, and more.
Hiring a Conference Event Photographer In NYC
How to find a professional Event photographer to photograph your conference.
Hiring a professional conference photographer ensures your event is documented with intent. My role is to capture the who, what, when, where, and why of your conference / event while making every guest look engaged, attentive, and invested—not distracted or buried in their phones. From keynote moments to candid networking, I focus on clean compositions, great lighting, and authentic expressions. The result is a gallery that showcases your brand (think LinkedIn / PR statements) , supports future marketing collateral, and preserves the energy and impact of your event in a way that feels both dynamic and true.
The most common questions/ statements I receive from prospectus customers about hiring a conference photographer are:
When do we receive the photos? I need to issue a press release and post on social media ASAP.
Same day images | My background is in marketing and I understand the importance of relevance. This is why I always deliver same day highlight images. As a group or individually, these photos answer the 5 Ws of your event. Who, What, Where, Why, and When did your event happen.
Can you stage photos with attendees in between the sessions?
Yes! Between speakers or sessions is NOT down time. In fact, it is my GO-GO-GO time. I’m always looking for moments to photograph and people to pose. During this time I’m politely asking people to pose in groups and acted engaged. Maybe they’re demoing a product, catching up with someone, or they’re just talking about their new puppy, I make moments look inviting, interesting, and organic.
“We need to incorporate branding and logos in to the photos, and be mindful of name tags.”
Of course! This is your event and it should be known that this is your event. Your images should include branding and cues easily identifying both your event and your brand. The photos below are from Finastra Universe in New York City, a full day FinTech conference right here in New York City. I was mindful to capture anything with Finastra’s brand (logos and colors) and incorporate it into the story of the day.
“Please don’t photograph people looking bored… We don’t need photos of people looking bored and unengaged at our event.”
This is a common email and talking point. No matter how serious the event is, there are always a few light moments. For example, someone is always guaranteed to crack a joke or do something goofy, and instantly the crowd goes wild. No matter how “instant” these moments are I am ready. As a photographer, I am always hunting for those split second events. I am always ready to photograph smiles and laughs.
And don’t worry, the serious moments will also be captured as well.
I photograph events of all sizes and with varying restrictions; no flash, no moving during the presentation, and only photograph the first few minutes. During speeches I can either be a fly on the wall or I can quietly walk around capturing reaction photos and new perspectives of the event. It’s up to you.
Business Conferences and Meetings
Like a secret agent on a mission I am quiet, stealthy, and unnoticed. Regardless of your conference location, in a large ballroom or in a tiny office, I will get close, engaged, and enthusiastic images. My photographs are perfect for marketing and advertising pieces.
YieldStreet x NYC Coders Happy Hour
YieldStreet allows you to participate in opportunities with low market correlation and target yields of 8-15% across litigation, finance, real estate and other alternative asset classes. Tuesday evening’s YieldStreet event welcomed recent developer graduates from several of NYC’s tech boot camps. The evening hosted at YieldStreet involved presentations, Q&As, a bunch of jokes.
Event photographers NYC photograph the 5 “w”s
As a NYC Event Photographer my goal was to photograph the event’s purpose, energy, and its overall story. Event photography has to be capture the 5 “W”’s as we learn in elementary school; Who, What, When, Where, and Why. My event photos were both close ups of peoples reactions and wide room shots showing off the rooms capacity.
NYC Rooftop Proposal | Alex and Lauren
Congrats to New York City’s newly engaged couple, Alex and Lauren!
Lauren, I think it was worth going up to the 23rd floor rooftop on a windy 18* February day to “checkout the New York City skyline”. Alex’s proposal was worth freezing for a bit.
Proposal Photography - Not my first rodeo.
Having photographed countless marriage proposals both here in NYC and throughout the New York Metropolitan area, one would assume I’m a bit jaded photographing secret marriage proposals. However, I still get excited being part of a secret proposal. From helping to plan the moment, to waiting for the couple to arrive, and finally photographing the moment as he proposes I still smile. Every marriage proposal is unique, just like how every couple is unique.
Grand Central Marriage Proposal | Sara and Tim
Proposing at Grand Central Terminal
Upon arriving to Grand Central Terminal for Tim’s proposal, I knew I had to stake my spot. Tim and I had chosen the staircase overlooking the main terminal. If you’ve ever been to Grand Central Terminal right in the heart of New York City, you know it’s bustling with all sorts of activity. From slow-moving tourists “oooing and ahhing” while they snap their photos to city dwellers just passing through to musicians jamming out, Grand Central is bustling.
Just on time and just like we planned, Tim and Sara appeared.
Tim’s proposal plan was for him to ask me to take a photo of them with his phone. Just as I went to raise his phone up to snap a quick picture, he got down on one knee. In seconds, I put his phone away and picked up my camera.
Jonathan Heisler Photography is comprised of professional New York City photographers specializing in private NYC proposals, engagement sessions, and weddings.
Ari and James - Pier 17 NYC Proposal
Congrats James and Ari!
How to plan a secret marriage proposal with a photographer
Several weeks before James’ proposal the two of us met at Pier 17 to rehearse where and how he’d propose to his girlfriend, Ari. The only thing we could not plan was the weather. Prior to James’ proposal, I asked him all of the key questions I needed to, so I could perfectly photograph the moment he asked Ari to marry him.
What time are you going to propose?
Which direction will you be coming from?
How are you going to get her to the location?
What’s your Plan B if it rains?
NYC Proposal Photographer in action
Right on time, James and Ari walked through Pier 17, and towards our planned location. The weather could not have been more perfect, nor could the view of the Brooklyn Bridge. The second I saw the couple approaching I started photographing. Ari did not suspect a thing!
Popping The Question - New York City Style
After James popped the question we took several posed photos and then did a mini-engagement shoot along Pier 17 and throughout South Street Seaport.
Jonathan Heisler Photography is comprised of New York City photographers specializing in photographing private NYC proposals, as well as engagement sessions and weddings.