NYU Law Alumni Dinner: Evening at Four Seasons Hotel Seoul
Corporate Event Photography at the Four Seasons Seoul
I was recently hired to cover the NYU Law School alumni meeting dinner at the Four Seasons Hotel in Seoul. The goal for this shoot was clear: provide professional event coverage that captures the venue while maintaining the warmth of the personal exchanges happening throughout the night.
The Four Seasons Seoul is a stunning location for corporate events in the city, but it presents specific challenges for a photographer. High ceilings and evening lighting mean you have to be intentional with your gear and movement to get clean results without disrupting the atmosphere.
The Branding: Capturing the NYU Identity
To make these photos feel like "NYU pictures" rather than generic corporate event shots, I focused on the branding details. New York University has a very distinct visual identity, centered around those deep purple tones. I used the environment and decorations—the purple lighting, floral arrangements, and table settings—to stylize the images.
Framing these details isn't just about showing what was there; it’s about reinforcing the brand. By playing with these colors and the high-end table setups, I was able to create a cohesive look for the gallery that feels unique to the Law School’s identity.
Technical Breakdown: Flash and Discretion
Shooting in a luxury ballroom during an evening dinner requires a balance of technical skill and social etiquette.
Lighting: I used a bounce flash to soften the light. Direct flash is too harsh for this kind of setting, but by bouncing it off the right surfaces, I could illuminate subjects naturally while keeping the background’s ambient glow.
Workflow: The key is to be invisible. I moved around the room during networking and dinner, looking for candid moments—smiles, handshakes, and engaged conversations.
Settings: I kept my aperture relatively wide to help separate people from the busy backgrounds, making those networking moments stand out.
Beyond the Professional: Finding the Emotion
I always try to push past "serious" corporate photography. A successful alumni event is about emotion and connection. I looked for the details that emphasize the atmosphere: a close-up of hands during an exchange, a genuine laugh at a table, or the specific way the room was set up to welcome guests. These details provide a more personal, candid feeling that tells the real story of the night.
Capturing a corporate event in Seoul is always a fast-paced experience, but focusing on these nuances branding, lighting, and human connection is what makes the final gallery effective for the client.
