University

Headshot Photography at Alumni Event in New York City

Capturing 60 College Alumni Headshots at Butter Restaurant, NY

Photographing 60 alumni headshots in a single session is no small feat, but when you pair an incredible venue with a well-planned setup, it becomes an exciting challenge. Recently, I had the opportunity to photograph a large group of college alumni at the iconic Butter Restaurant in New York City. The event brought together professionals from various industries, all looking for updated, high-quality headshots in a stylish and convenient setting.

The Venue: Butter Restaurant

Butter, helmed by Executive Chef Alex Guarnaschelli, provided a warm and elegant backdrop for the shoot. Known for its refined ambiance and impeccable design, the restaurant’s sophisticated lighting and décor helped create a natural and polished aesthetic for the portraits. The venue’s private event space allowed us to set up a dedicated photo area without disrupting the gathering, ensuring a seamless experience for the attendees.

The Setup and Execution

To accommodate 60 individuals efficiently while maintaining quality, I designed a streamlined workflow:

  • Compact Lighting Setup: Using a small but powerful lighting kit, I ensured each headshot had a professional, well-lit look while keeping the footprint minimal.

  • Quick and Effective Posing: With limited time per person, I guided each subject into flattering and natural poses quickly, helping them feel comfortable and confident.

  • Instant Review and Adjustments: A tethered setup allowed immediate review, ensuring that everyone left with a headshot they were happy with.

  • Efficient Time Management: I scheduled short but effective time slots for each participant, balancing speed with attention to detail.

The Outcome

By the end of the session, we had captured a diverse set of high-quality portraits, each reflecting the professionalism and personality of the alumni. Many attendees expressed gratitude for the opportunity to update their headshots in such a relaxed and enjoyable setting.

Photographing alumni events like this showcases the value of a well-executed headshot session. Not only does it provide professionals with fresh, polished images, but it also enhances networking events by fostering confidence and connection. If your organization is looking to provide high-quality headshots at your next event, reach out—I’d love to bring my experience and expertise to your gathering!

Tiny World at Iona University

Tiny World at Iona University shot with a DJI Air 2S

Creating a tiny world of Iona University using a 360 camera was one of those projects that made me feel like a kid playing with a new toy. The concept of turning an entire campus into a miniature version of itself is just so much fun, and when I saw the final result, I was honestly amazed at how cool it looked. The 360 camera captured everything in a way that felt almost surreal, like the whole campus was shrunk down into a tiny globe that you could spin around and explore.

As a drone photographer, I’m used to capturing sweeping aerial views, but playing with special effects like this really adds a new layer of creativity to the work. You can take something as familiar as a university campus and transform it into something completely new and unique. It's not just about getting the shot anymore—it's about experimenting and pushing the limits of what can be done with technology to tell a story.

Incorporating effects like these makes the job so much more interesting because it challenges me to think outside the box. Instead of just shooting from above or capturing traditional perspectives, I get to explore how to make the world look different. It’s like taking a bird’s-eye view and adding a whole new dimension to it. This tiny world effect gave Iona University a whole new vibe, and it was such a rewarding process to see it all come together.

Special effects in drone photography aren’t just a gimmick—they’re a way to make my work stand out and bring fresh perspectives to projects. Every time I use something like a 360 camera, it sparks new ideas and pushes me to keep evolving as a photographer. I can't wait to see where this kind of creativity takes me next!

Iona University Accepted Students Day in Westchester, New York

Iona University Photography

I’m looking to photograph for more universities and colleges around New York City and Westchester. Whether it’s documenting campus life, student events, faculty portraits, or commencement ceremonies, I love capturing the energy and spirit of academic institutions. With experience working in both higher education and corporate environments, I understand the importance of creating images that highlight a university’s culture, values, and community. If you’re a school looking for a photographer to showcase your campus or events, let’s connect!

Video Production at Iona University

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Working on a new video for the alumni association at Iona University. It was a fairly involved setup for a speaking head video, but a second camera and backup audio feels like the best way to get the best final results.

Iona Video produced and edited by Ben Hider

Iona University Photographer

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