More on Photographing an Event

Magic Hour

I have always photographed all my work and I’ve been passing on some tricks I’ve learned throughout the years to my team. This particular shot was taken from one of AOO’s rising stars, Jahon Pilichowski, a producer. Using my camera he recorded a series of events. This one was taken during that magic hour I mention in my blog posting of May 21. This is a great example that Jahon captured.

Peacock Feather

Different angles, close ups, seeing the event through fresh eyes … all are ways in which to get some interesting photos that are more than documentation, but art themselves. In this photo, Jahon zoomed in close to a peacock feather we used in the event design. Thanks Jahon, for reminding us of the beauty in a peacock feather!

Picture Perfect

Does the projection in the pool speak to this picture? I think so! Talk about a money shot.

A couple of things about this shot. First, whenever I’m doing a party around a body of water I love to use the reflective properties of the water to enhance the décor. By lighting the trees around the perimeter, it reflects onto the water -- more bang for the buck.

Secondly, the best of time to take a photo is right at what I call “magic hour” – that moment between day and night. It’s a trick used by many interior design photographers to show interior lighting while the outline of the home’s architecture can be seen against the still-light night sky. It works the same for events – the event lighting is beginning to “read” but there is still enough light so the sky can be seen.

Experience Counts

This is from a corporate event we produced in Tampa at the same final night event when The Goo Goo Dolls played (see Design Journal blog entry of April 17). We created a “white party” atmosphere. I was especially proud of this but not for the obvious reason that it looks cool. White calla lilies appear to be floating on acrylic rods that are attached by silver wire wrapped around a water tube. Silver, clear and black beads have been added to give it that kitschy little touch. And to finish off the top of the clear glass container, which is filled with clear tumbled glass, a white feather boa is glued to the top.

The reason why I am so proud of this is the fact that the pinspot was focused the night before onto my hand and then I tagged the floor right above where the arrangement was going to rest and it was flawlessly dead on. All my years of experience have finally paid off!

Reaching Out

This is the placesetting from the final awards night at a corporate incentive event in Montego Bay. I am posting it for two reasons. One -- it's a REALLY beautiful antique gold charger that we had made especially for this place setting. And two, if you notice the card on the charger ... this is something the corporate planner created for each award winnner of the evening. I wanted to pass the idea along because it was so impressive in its simplicity and effectiveness. The card is imprinted with personalized quotes from colleagues and friends about the winner and set at this person's place. To me, this is such a warm, wonderful way to make the nominee feel special. More than ever it's important that we reach out and make the extra effort to truly recognize one another in special ways like this. This was one very personalized detail that, dare I say it, might just might make even more of a memorable statement than the linen, the flowers or the beautiful charger!

Adding Texture

From Dave's Design Journal...

I took this photo the first night we were in Jamaica to produce a multi-day corporate incentive event. I continue to be very drawn to this image. I love the texture of the palm tree trunks with the ocean in the background, highlighting the natural beauty of the area. I realize that when I design events I spend a lot of time and thought on how to incorporate the natural surroundings. Rather than hide or ignore the perimeter areas of an event, I prefer to try to highlight it. For me, it's inspiring to see the actual environment in which an event is taking place, especially if it's a destination like Jamaica.

Getting Our Kicks On...

This was a different way to do a "stylized" Route 66 party. We started by fabricating large frames of the classic highway sign, then attached foam core to the top of that frame. We poked white carnations into it to make the base of the sign, and then raised foam core on top of the “Route 66” lettering. This allowed us to outline the number with the carnations.

This is something that could be done with any type of sign, be it informational, directional or decorative...just a new idea. And, we made this one big so it could be seen above the heads of guests as the room filled with people. The lamps, also custom made by AOO Events, are also larger-than-life.

Dave's Design Tip: Go big with a few elements in order to make a design statement. Plus, larger pieces can be seen even when the room is full of people.

Simply Jamaica

When you are dealing with the Master Designer of all time – Mother Nature – I’m of the philosophy that less is more. And in Jamaica, the stunning views, beautiful sky and azure sea really need no more embellishment.

Which is why, for this multi-day corporate event, AOO Events allowed the setting to speak for itself from a “simple-chic” beach party (see April 24 posting) to an elegant, old-world Jamaican final night dinner outside the Great House at Rose Hall.

White spiral wind jammers created a whimsical and natural border around the "dining area" under the canopy of a huge tree. I dressed the tables in crisp, white linen; a look that I find always elegant, especially at an al fresco event. The addition of lanterns in the tree and on the tables added an inviting glow. The hall itself was lighted in warm tones. It’s presence created a dramatic backdrop for the feeling we wanted – a Jamaican evening that combined romance, history and the laid-back feeling of the island.

Making an Entrance

I believe in the importance of a grand entrance. It sets the tone for the event and creates anticipation of what is to come.

Here are four entrances recently designed by AOO Events.

THE WILD AISLE

For this final night event for a cosmetics firm, we used a leopard-patterned carpet which told guests in no uncertain terms that they were in for something different! The look was finished off with large sprays of yellow orchids in urns.

HOLLYWOOD SHUFFLE

Here we did a spin on the old red-carpet-lined-with-paparazzi entrance by creating a stylized scrim that gave the illusion of media. This is a great way to create a more contemporary feeling and leaves more of the budget for what goes on inside the event.


MAKE A STATEMENT

Often, an entrance is your first chance to brand a product, relay a message or convey the event’s purpose. For the Gatorade G2 Lounge at Super Bowl this year, we designed an entrance that did all three. The logo was large and centrally located, plasma screens on either side sent the message that this was a media event and, most importantly, we created a long hallway that immediately focused the guests’ attention on the product being launched – a wall of colorful G2 waters.


THE CLASSIC

Ah, the red carpet. Simple, elegant and well, classic. I guess you could say that the reason it’s done so often is because it looks great and never fails to make the guest (or guests) of honor feel like a movie star.