Press Photographer

9/11 Memorial and Museum Photography

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Capturing Emotion: Behind the Scenes of an Interview at the 9/11 Memorial & Museum

When it comes to documentary photography in New York, few assignments are as meaningful as capturing the behind-the-scenes moments of an interview at the 9/11 Memorial & Museum. I recently had the chance to photograph an interview with the daughter of a 9/11 victim, and it was an incredibly emotional and powerful experience. This kind of event photography in NYC takes a mix of sensitivity, technical skill, and a real respect for the people and place involved.

Why Behind-the-Scenes Photography Matters

Behind-the-scenes (BTS) photography is all about storytelling. Whether you're covering corporate interviews, press events, or documentary shoots in New York, capturing those candid, in-between moments adds so much depth to the final story. These images help show the full picture—the emotion, the setting, and the story behind the interview itself.

Challenges of Shooting at the 9/11 Memorial & Museum

Location photography in New York City is never easy, and the 9/11 Memorial & Museum has its own unique set of challenges. It's a place of deep reflection, so staying low-key while capturing the moment is key. As a professional event photographer in NYC, I made sure to use minimal gear, rely on natural light when possible, and set my camera to silent mode to avoid drawing attention.

Security and permissions are also big factors here. Planning ahead with the production team made sure everything was good to go before we even arrived. If you’re looking to hire a professional photographer in New York for a high-profile event, make sure they know how to handle logistics like permissions and working in sensitive environments.

Photography Gear & Techniques for BTS Shoots

For this shoot, I went with a full-frame DSLR and a fast prime lens, perfect for capturing details in low-light settings. A mirrorless camera with a silent shutter was also a must to stay discreet. The goal was to get authentic, powerful shots without disrupting the flow of the interview.

  • Lens choice: A 50mm or 85mm prime lens is great for natural, up-close shots.

  • Lighting: Natural light when possible, with a small LED panel for backup.

  • Composition: Framing the subject with memorial elements in the background added extra depth.

The Power of Storytelling Through Photography

Every shot told a story—from the quiet moments before the interview to the heartfelt expressions during it. Capturing real emotion is what makes a photo resonate. That’s why hiring an experienced event photographer in NYC is so important when working on meaningful projects like this.

Why Hire a Pro Photographer for Your Event?

If you need a documentary, event, or corporate photographer in New York, working with someone experienced means your story gets captured in a professional yet natural way. Whether it’s press photography, behind-the-scenes coverage, or headshots in NYC, a skilled photographer knows how to stay behind the scenes while still delivering powerful images.

The 9/11 Memorial & Museum is a place of deep significance, and photographing an interview there isn’t just about technical ability—it’s about empathy, discretion, and storytelling. If you’re looking for a New York City event photographer to capture an important moment, let’s chat. I’d love to help document your story with the care and respect it deserves.

Rainbow Room Party Photographer

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Production at the Rainbow Room in New York City by Carri at A Closer Look Events. Photography by Ben Hider

Tanqueray Gin at MetLife Stadium

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Jingle Ball at Madison Square Gardens

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Jingle Ball by Z100 in Madison Square Gardens Photographer for ABC

NYSE Photography - Venu IPO

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Shooting the Venu IPO at the NYSE was an exciting return to familiar ground for me, having worked there every day as the house photographer for years. Armed with my Canon R3, I captured everything from the buzz on the trading floorto the big moment at the bell-ringing ceremony. The fast autofocus and high-speed shooting of the R3 made it easy to keep up with the action, whether it was executives celebrating, traders reacting, or the company’s logo lighting up the iconic NYSE screens. I switched between a wide-angle lens for the sweeping energy of the floor and a telephoto lens to get tight shots of leadership. The NYSE lighting can be tricky, but knowing the space so well, I adjusted my ISO, shutter speed, and aperture on the fly to keep everything crisp. Later, I fine-tuned the shots in Lightroom and Photoshop, making sure Venu had stunning images for their press releases, social media, and investor relations. See more photos here and here

If you need a photographer for your IPO at Nasdaq or the NYSE please let me know. I have covered hundreds of IPO’s at the New York Stock Exchange and dozens at the Nasdaq Market Place in Times Square.

The Belmont Stakes Races in Saratoga for Fox Sports

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Belmont Stakes in Saratoga for Fox Sports

Photographing the Belmont Stakes was definitely an exciting experience, even though I’m not exactly a sports photographer! I usually focus more on events and portraits, so getting into the fast-paced world of horse racing was a bit of a shift for me. But it turned out to be such a fun challenge.

I had to adjust quickly to the action, trying to keep up with the horses as they flew by at full speed. Honestly, I wasn’t sure what to expect—I'm used to working with people in a more controlled environment, but this was all about capturing those split-second moments of excitement, tension, and celebration. There were so many incredible shots to be had, especially during the race’s climax when everything was on the line.

The crowd was just as fascinating as the race itself. You could feel the energy and anticipation in the air as fans cheered on their favorites, and capturing that energy was just as important as getting the perfect shot of the horses. It’s not something I do every day, but I loved having the chance to document a classic event like the Belmont Stakes.

Though I’m not a dedicated sports photographer, I found myself really enjoying the adrenaline of it all. It reminded me that sometimes stepping outside your comfort zone leads to unexpected moments of creativity. And who knows? Maybe I’ll do more of these high-speed events in the future!

The Effie's at Cipriani Midtown in New York City

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Effie’s Annual Gala at Cipriani Midtown

Smile Train 25th Anniversary Gala at Cipriani

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Photographing the Smile Train Gala at Cipriani was an unforgettable experience. It’s hard to beat the energy of an event that’s not just glamorous but also so meaningful. The gala was filled with incredible people coming together for a cause close to my heart—helping children around the world get the cleft lip and palate surgeries they need.

The venue, Cipriani, was absolutely stunning. The grand architecture and elegant ambiance set the perfect tone for the night, and I couldn’t wait to capture every moment. From the speeches that highlighted the impact of Smile Train’s work to the heartfelt moments of gratitude, there was so much emotion in the room.

What really stood out, though, was the people. The guests, the honorees, and the kids whose lives were changed by Smile Train were all shining examples of hope and resilience. Capturing those intimate, genuine moments between families and their supporters was definitely a highlight.

It’s not every day you get to document such a powerful, inspiring evening, and I’m grateful to have been able to help tell the story of such an important cause through my photos. The night was filled with joy, and it was amazing to see how many people were dedicated to making a real difference.

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Jon Bon Jovi for Hulu

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Photographing the Hulu red carpet for the Jon Bon Jovi premiere was such an epic experience! I’ve shot red carpets before, but there’s something extra exciting about one for a legend like Jon Bon Jovi. The energy in the air was electric as the stars walked the carpet, and capturing those moments up close felt like being part of the action.

As the photographers lined up, I was ready to snap shots of the big moments—Jon himself, of course, as well as all the other celebrities and guests who were there to celebrate. There’s always this rush when the stars start arriving, and getting those perfect candid moments of excitement and smiles is what makes the job so fun. But, honestly, it was the vibe of the whole event that made it special. You could feel the anticipation as everyone was excited about the show’s premiere, and it’s always a thrill to be in the middle of that buzz.

The setup for a Hulu premiere had that mix of glamour and coolness that felt just right for Bon Jovi’s legacy. The lighting, the backdrop, the crowd—it all came together perfectly to capture the essence of a star-studded night. While the red carpet can get a little hectic, it’s the little moments, like when someone’s genuinely excited or sharing a laugh, that make the best photos.

Overall, it was a night full of energy, rock ‘n’ roll spirit, and some seriously awesome people to photograph. Getting to shoot the premiere of a show with someone as iconic as Jon Bon Jovi is definitely one of those experiences I’ll remember for a long time!