The surrounding photos were taken at a luncheon to benefit Mount Sinai's OB/GYN division. The 600-person event featured a Bill Blass fashion show followed by over 100 children walking the runway! It was a festive and touching occasion!

Big Apple Circus

The Big Apple Circus is in town! We had the pleasure of photographing countless family portraits for two different clients over the past 2 weekends...To get your tickets and info, visit: http://theshow.bigapplecircus.org/

This seems to be the month for portraits! We photographed this good-looking group for a pharmaceutical company that won an award for some materials on fertility. The image appeared on the cover of Product Management Today.

Executive Portrait

Last week we photographed a security software entrepreneur for a computer trade magazine. This was an on-location shoot that included two different locations - one indoors and one outside. The client reviewed approximately 30 images before selecting this particular image which was taken on the street on the Upper East Side in New York. For a closer look at the publication, visit: http://www.dbta.com/

Details, details...

At every event we are sure to capture all of the details - from room and food shots, to decor and swag. So much goes into planning your event; be sure that your photographer captures it all. The images surrounding this post are from a NYC hospital's Breast Health Resource Program Gala called "Celebration of Life." The event occurred last week at Capitale in the Bowery. It was a huge success and the event planning company and hospital's events department did a tremendous job with every detail!!

Hey Paulie...

Burt Young, who portrayed Rocky Balboa's brother-in-law "Paulie" in the 1975 film "Rocky", appeared at a recent art gallery event along with his paintings. The actor has a second career as an accomplished artist and is represented by Galerie 1225 in Montreal. The artist contacted us for the corresponding photo. You can see this image, along with many others at Burt's website: http://www.burtyoungartandfilm.com/

All the angles...

One of the many things that sets Longview apart from our competitors is our versatility. We focus on both documentary and posed shots at events to capture images that meet our clients needs and interests. Corporate event experience is key for a photographer to capture the shots you need without disrupting your event's flow. The 3 images surrounding this post, provide examples of different image styles - all captured by one knowledgeable, versatile shooter at a recent event at The Pierre in NYC. The posed group portrait is perfect for the client's PR firm to send with a press release, whereas the documentary-style shot of the panel is appropriate for a brochure to advertise future conferences. Finally, the candid portrait can accompany a 'thank you' card to that speaker.

SeaFair: A "Fine Art Yacht" Benefit

Last night, we photographed a benefit aboard the Grand Luxe. This 228-foot megayacht, which features American and European galleries displaying their fine art and antiques, is docked at Chelsea Piers from October 9-14th. The special event benefited Gilda's Club, a non-profit which offers a network of meeting places that provide emotional and social support to people living with cancer, along with their friends and families. It was a wonderful night despite the uncooperative weather!

Weekend visits...

It's always fun to take a break from corporate shooting and capture friends and family! Yesterday I was blessed to spend time with my nephew Hudson and friends Dina & Thea...

IQ2's 2007-2008 debate series is underway offering a forum for intelligent discussion on hot topics such as Democracy in the Middle East, Affirmative Action, Aid to Africa and Immigration. Not surprisingly, the debate series is sold out, however the debates now air on PBS! (The first debate airs September 23 @ noon on channel 13 in NYC.) Longview Photography is proud to photograph these debates which offer insightful dialect from leading professors, authors, journalists, etc. on both sides of the issue at hand. For more visit http://www.intelligencesquaredus.org/

LeRoy Neiman in SoHo

Over the weekend, we photographed artist LeRoy Neiman in an appearance at the Franklin Bowles Gallery in SoHo. Neiman was offering hundreds of original Femlin drawings from his private collection. Many of these drawings appeared in the pages of Playboy, but some had never left his studio. http://www.leroyneiman.com/

Giving credit where credit is due...

Even with the "Copyright Act of 1790" on record, we still field questions about copyrights and photo credits for our images. The reality is that when a photographer takes a photo, a "tangible medium of expression" results and it automatically has a copyright. According to the U.S. Copyright Office, "Registration is voluntary. Copyright exists from the moment the work is created." Longview offers liberal usage rights for images, but we maintain the copyright and require a photo credit. This credit is similar to an artist's signature. Michael Wilson's New York Times article "Known for Famous Photos, Not All of Them His" (Click here to read) is a very interesting look at what results when photographers are not properly credited for their work. In the article Wilson discusses Joe O'Donnell (a.k.a. "The Presidential Photographer") who has laid claim to many photographs that simply were not his. For example, O'Donnell claims to have captured a 1962 photo of President Kennedy aboard his yacht, however this photo was taken by Robert Knudsen. In hiring a professional photographer, clients expect to receive unique, artistic imagery - we happily oblige but would like credit where credit is due.

Between a Rock and a "High" Place...

At a recent pharmaceutical event, an executive described the path to accomplishing his team's goal as driving a train through a rock, and performing many twists and turns. To celebrate the accomplishment, along with a champagne toast, the event featured a rock-shaped cake and a performance by AcroBack (think Cirque du Soleil.) Check out AcroBack's website, http://www.acroback.com/ for video clips of their work.

Race for the Cure

We were thrilled to join 20,000 New Yorkers this morning to support the Susan G. Komen Foundation's Race for the Cure in the fight against breast cancer...want to donate? Click here!

F-stop on the train....

Do you hear "f-stop" and think of a subway station? We don't...we think focal ratio; or the difference between an average shot and a great exposure. This is one of the many reasons why our clients turn to Longview for a professional photographer to document their events.
Anyone can set a camera to auto-mode and use a flash, but a professional (make that an experienced, talented professional) will think, "What shutter speed will portray the movement on the dance floor. What aperature will capture the detail of the product in the foreground, while blurring the distracting background."
The surrounding photos weren't lucky, the camera was set for a "great exposure!" At events, we often have one chance to capture a handshake, a ribbon-cutting or a signature. Without expertise (knowing the exact camera settings that will produce the perfect result) you leave your event documentation to chance!

Give 'em your best shot...

AMERICAN PHOTO's "Images of the Year Competition" is underway and you have until September 14th to submit your best shot! Click Here to read the entry rules.

Are you thinking, "I can't even find the zoom button on my point-and-shoot?" Forget about entering, instead Click Here to view last year's award-winning images.

So long summer, hello makeover...

Amazing how as August comes to an end, I still get that "back to school" feeling; even 10 years after my last day of classes! Of course now the feeling manifests itself into how I will update and challenge my business in the "new year," as opposed to my college dorm room, or my academic pursuits. So, I spent the end of the month redesigning the Longview Photography website. It now includes a broader portfolio with over 200 images, including individual photographer slideshows; our client's logos and testaments; as well as a "Seen In" section that displays our work in the press and on various websites. Of course, the site will always be a "work in progress" for me since I am obsessed with updating after every shoot...

Since you made it to this post, you already know that the website makeover also includes a link to this all-new Longview Photography blog, which will serve as a "What's New" at Longview. You can check back weekly for event and shoot highlights and images, as well as other tidbits including photo exhibit reviews, info on our photographers, personal travel photography, links to photo gear and more.

I'll leave you (and summer!) with these two shots of Spain...I hope to see you here next week!