Photography

Commit to Grow Equality at the Rockefeller Foundation

What a pleasure to be in the presence of all of these amazing speakers at the Commit to Grow Equality event hosted by the Food and Agriculture Organization.

Photography at the Guggenheim Spring Fete

Photography at the Guggenheim Museum by Ben Hider with a Canon R5 mark ii and Canon R3 with R24-105 F2.8 and R15-35 F2.8. You can see more of my work at the Guggenheim here

9/11 Memorial and Museum Photography

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

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

Westchester Food Photographer - Red Hat on the River

Food photography for Red Hat on the River in Westchester, NY

Chat GPT says…

Snapping food photos at Red Hat in Westchester, NY is all about capturing the rich colors, textures, and vibe of the restaurant’s dishes. With its warm lighting and beautiful Hudson River views, the setting is perfect for creating mouthwatering shots. Using natural light when possible helps keep colors true, while a wide aperture (low f-stop) adds that nice blurred background (aka bokeh) to make the dish pop. Playing with angles—like an overhead flat lay for a full table spread or a 45-degree close-up for those rich details—keeps things interesting. A tripod can be handy in low light to avoid blur, and a little tweaking in Lightroom or Photoshop can enhance contrast and sharpness. Whether for social media, restaurant branding, or just showing off an amazing meal, the right mix of composition and lighting can turn a great dish into a scroll-stopping shot!

food photography NYC, restaurant photography New York, best food photographers NY, professional food photography, Westchester food photography, food styling tips, natural light food photography, restaurant branding photography, menu photography NYC, social media food photos, DSLR food photography, Canon food photography, food photography lighting, best angles for food photography, food photography composition, Hudson Valley restaurant photography, Westchester NY dining photography, professional food photographer NYC, food photography editing, Lightroom for food photography, capturing food textures, overhead food shots, food photography gear, food photography tricks, Westchester restaurant photographer, NYC food blogger photography, close-up food photography, food photography for marketing, headshot and food photography, best lenses for food photography, food photography content creation

Tanqueray Gin at MetLife Stadium