Author: Kendall Rolfe
ABCey Presents: Best Photo Tips for Event Photography
Capturing the raw, spontaneous moments of events is something all photographers aim to do. There are a lot of little things that can make diving into special event photography much easier or much harder on yourself. Below are a few event photography ideas of how to prepare and execute your photo skills at your next event!
Take Pre-Event Shots
The event planner is responsible for all the little details at each event. Therefore, they will love that you captured shots of the room prior to the guests arrival. Not only will it be something they can use to sell their services in the future, it will also allow them to catalog the set-up in case they have a very similar type of event in the space again. Photo from ABCey’s Loreal & Skinceuticals PR & Media event in February 2010.
Capture The Event’s Story
Every event has it’s own story. Try to capture the entire story of the event & show the full scale. Take pictures prior and snap shots as people arrive. During the main event, set your camera to burst mode and shoot as many shots as you can. Bring a large amount of memory cards, as space should not dictate how many shots you should take. Candid audience or crowd shots are nice here and there, but a good rule of thumb is that once plates go down and people are eating, keep the camera pointed away from the tables and onto the stage. Photo from ABCey’s BlackJet SF event in Union Square in February 2013.
Edit Hard & Deliver Quickly
Once you edit your photos down to the best images, bring your files into your editing software and crank out the images. Make sure your images looks crispy and clean. Get your photos to your client as soon as possible after the event. They will appreciate the efficiency and attention to their event! Photo from ABCey’s Brit + Co Remake Event Day 1.
Snap Guests Looking Engaged & Enjoying Themselves
It can take some patience, but make sure you get images that indicate everyone was having a good time. Make sure guests, especially high-level executives aren’t caught in goofy or unflattering expressions! Photo from ABCey’s Blumberg Capital event.
Capture a Full Room
You want to make sure that the event looks well-attended with lots of people. Focus in on larger clumps of people to provide shots that indicate the event was crowded! Photo from ABCey’s UpStart 10x event in May 2017.
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What photo tips to you use for events? Let us know in the comments below, or on our Facebook & Twitter pages!
Sources: Digital Photography School, MostlyLisa, ABCey’s Event Photos
ABCey’s Weekend Lineup 7/7-7/9
It’s almost Friday! ABCey brings you this week’s Weekend Lineup with the top events in the Bay Area for the upcoming weekend! After the long 4th of July weekend, here are some amazing events to keep the fun going!
Pro Beach Volleyball Tournament
July 6-9th | All Day 9am-6pm | Cost: FREE! | AVP San Francisco Open | Piers 30-32
Starting Thursday through Sunday, The Mens & Women’s AVP Pro Beach Volleyball Tour will make its return to San Francisco. Sit back & relax & enjoy some exciting beach volleyball with the scenic Bay Bridge looming overhead.
Friday Nights at the de Young
Friday July 7th | 5-8:30pm | Cost: FREE! | Golden Gate Park | 50 Hagiwara Tea Garden Drive
San Francisco, CA
Friday Nights at the de Young programs are after-hours art “happenings” that include a mix of live music, dance, theater performances & more! The café also offers a special Friday Night menu and specialty cocktails!
French Fry Fest
Saturday July 8th | 11am-5pm | Cost: $5 General Admission, $35 All You Can Drink Craft Beer & Sangria, Ages 10 & Under – FREE! | Soma StrEat Food Park | 428 11th Street San Francisco, CA
SoMa StrEat Food Park and Broke Ass Stuart are teaming up to bring you the Bay’s most delicious food trucks and pop-up shops. Come enjoy some fry specials to the sound of disco funk jams all day!
Refreshments and Resistance: A Benefit for ACLU
Saturday June 8th | 11am-3pm | Cost: $30 | Spark Social SF | 601 Mission Bay Boulevard North | San Francisco, CA
ACLU is a group of professional women who have been awakened to their capacity to effectively drive positive, progressive change in our country. Proceeds will be donated to the ACLU, which works to protect and expand Americans’ freedom to vote. Your donation includes bottomless sangria, mimosas, or a non-alcoholic refreshment of your choice!
Sunset Silent Disco Yoga
Sunday July 9th | 6:15-7:30pm | Baker Beach | San Francisco CA
Yoga at the golden hour with curated music, the incredible SF community, and outdoor yoga teacher and founder Julie Aiello. Come enjoy this picturesque, peaceful, and fun environment for some relaxing yoga. They even supply headphones so you can listen to the teacher + to curated music together!
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What events will you be attending this weekend? Let us know in the comments below or on our Facebook or Twitter page!
Sources: SF Fun Cheap, EventBrite, De Young website, EventBrite, EventBrite
Your Fab Fourth of July Check-List
As we approach 2017’s Fourth of July weekend, ABCey has made the ultimate check-list for your perfect patriotic party! Here are 10 of our favorite recipes, decorations, and party must-haves for your greatest Fourth of July yet!
1. USA Rice Crispy Treats
Everyone loves a tasty treat at a party! These colorful rice crispy treats are perfect for your Fourth of July gathering! Plus they are great for all ages & the straws add a perfect touch!
2. Festive Donuts
These patriotic donuts look too good to eat! The festive frosting is an easy add-on for the perfect dessert!
3. Confetti Balloons
Next, instead of ordinary balloons, try these confetti filled balloons for a unique and sparkling touch to your event!
4. Star Spangled Sangria
Sangria is the perfect summer drink, so why not customize it for the Fourth of July! Add some colorful fruit to make your cocktail look & taste delicious!
5. LED Star Sunglasses
Light up the party with these great LED star sunglasses! They glow in red, white and blue colors and are perfect for night time when the fireworks are displayed!
6. Perfect Utensil Holder
Here’s a great way to display your table wear for this American holiday! Grab some patriotic-colored plastic forks and spoons to pair with these festive mason jars!
7. Trendy Garland
Garland can be used for any holiday or event! Add some color around the house or outside with this red, white and blue tissue garland by Etsy.
8. Fourth of July Fantastic Photo Booth
Grab some confetti & sparklers to set up an unforgettable photo booth for you & your guests! These DIY firework poppers are the perfect accessory for your event photos! Find how to make them here.
9. DIY Ring Toss
If you’re having a backyard BBQ or party, this easy-to-make game is perfect! It’s great for guests of all ages and super decorative for any backyard gathering! Here is how to make & create this festive game.
10. Summer Smoothies
Cool down with some refreshing & heathy smoothies for this hot holiday! A great alternative for sangria for the youngsters under 21! Here is the link to some delicious smoothie recipes that are sure to get you in the Fourth of July spirit!
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How are you celebrating the Fourth of July? What did we miss? Let us know in the comments below or on our Facebook or Twitter!
Sources: CoolGlow, Etsy, Brit + Co, Guest of a Guest, Country Living, Etsy, Tell Love and Party, Everyday Dishes, Brit + Co
ABCey’s Start Up Monday: Glassdoor!
Startup Monday is ABCey’s weekly post that features the best and brightest companies in the San Francisco, Bay Area. They are often companies that we have our eye on, or have worked with in the past & would like to share with friends and followers of ABCey Events! Today’s Startup Monday highlights Glassdoor!
About Glassdoor
Headquartered in Mill Valley, California, Glassdoor is one of the world’s largest & fastest-growing job search engines. They offer valuable insights from the people who know best – the employees who work there. Moreover, the company holds a growing database of millions of company reviews. These include CEO approval ratings, salary reports, interview reviews, and more. In addition, unlike other jobs sites, all of this information is entirely shared by the employees. Nonetheless, with around 800 employees, their mission is simple: to help people find a job at a company they love. In response, they help companies recruit and hire truly informed candidates.
More Fun Facts: Glassdoor
Founded in June 2007 by Robert Hohman, Rich Barton and Tim Besse, the search engine has grown rapidly in funding & employee growth. First, the company received its first financing in 2008, receiving $3 million in funding, before launching its website. Additionally, by 2015 they had over $160 million total investment. Furthermore, the company has continued to increase their funding by millions in the past few years. As a result, their own site stats updated Q1 2017, show 41 million users of their site and 5,800 paying employer clients/partners. Presently, starting with just the 3 founders, they now have over 800 employees, with offices expanding in the U.S. and Europe.
Why We Love Glassdoor
Here at ABCey we love using Glassdoor to find new employees and interns! Additionally, it is a great resource for getting your brand name out there and for attracting new talent! Overall, no other job site gives you this level of visibility as to what other employees are saying about their experience at a company. What a great tool to use!
We love Glassdoor and would love to do an event for them!
Do you use Glassdoor? Tell us why you love Glassdoor below in the comments or on our Facebook & Twitter!
ABCey Presents: Top 5 Event Planning Apps
Smart phone apps have become increasingly beneficial, especially in the event planning industry. There are many apps available now that can help event profs become more efficient in their day-to-day tasks. Here are ABCey’s Top 5 Event Planning Apps that are crucial for staying up to date on all the latest event trends!
1. Super Planner
This useful app is a great business application tool for the professional event planner, including calculators for venue capacity, staffing, catering, staging, projection and dance floor, as well as useful tips. ($9.99)
2. Boomset
Boomset focuses on event registration. Easily check attendees in with their QR scanner. Event organizers can also use this event app to print badges, or create wristbands. It also has integrations with other event management platforms so that event registration is as painless for organizers as possible. (FREE app)
3. myParties
“myParties” is simple and extremely easy-to-use event planner app. It lets you organize your party with utmost convenience. You can schedule times, make invitations and have the much-needed control of the bills. (FREE app)
4. Social Tables
Social Tables is a super efficient check-in tool. It provides a fast, professional and secure alternative to Excel or paper event guest lists. Their web-based app also makes 2D or 3D diagramming and seating charts easier. (FREE app, monthly service pricing)
5. Monefy
Monefy aims to remove all the clutter from tracking expenses. It allows you to view graphs, export data, and sync to Dropbox. The app makes it easy to manage all of your event expenses in one place. Event planning is an on-the-go job, having an app like this is a godsend. ($0.99)
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What event planning apps do you use? Have you tried any of these apps? Let us know in the comments below or on our Facebook & Twitter pages!
Sources: Social Tables, Bizzabo, iGeeksBlog, Ticketbud
ABCey’s Weekend Lineup: June 6-9, 2017
It’s almost Friday! ABCey brings you this week’s Weekend Lineup with the top events in the Bay Area for the upcoming weekend! We’ve got everything from a circus-themed dinner, to wine and beer tastings, and even hot air balloons!
Thursday June 8th | 5-9pm | Free Admission, $30 All You Can Drink Craft Beer | Spark Social SF, 601 Mission Bay Boulevard, North San Francisco, CA
Kick-off your carefree summer with exceptional beer and fresh air for an all-you-can-drink tasting adventure in the city! Featuring drinks from Fieldwork Brewing Company, New Bohemia Brewing Company, Drake’s Brewing Company, and more!
Starting Friday, June 9-17th | 7:30pm-Midnight | Cost: $50-$130 | Ages 21+ | Tortona Big Top 2001 Ferry Point Alameda, CA
From the co-creators of The Edwardian Ball, New Bohemia NYE, Phantasm SF, Lagunitas Beer Circus is the nightlife event of a lifetime. A circus-themed, dinner and theater experience that you will surely not forget! A wonderful night out that explores San Francisco’s scandalous history and with a world-renowned performance.
Weekend Lineup’s Wine Down Fridays
Friday June 9th | 5-8pm | Cost: FREE entry! | Urbano Cellars, 2323 B Fourth St. Berkeley, CA 94710
Friday’s call for wine & food trucks! Get the weekend started with some delicious wine, food trucks, live music & art! A perfect start to your Friday night.
Sonoma County Hot Air Balloon Classic 2017
Saturday June 10th & Sunday June 11th | 4am-10:30am | Kids $5, Adults $20, Children 2 & under FREE | Keiser Park | 700 Windsor River Road, Windsor, CA
An early (but worth it!) Weekend Lineup wake-up call to enjoy the beautiful hot air balloons in wine country. Right as the sun rises, these balloons will be launched from an open field into the sky. What a great way to start your morning!
Spring Into Summer Parade & Fair
Saturday June 10th | 10am | Cost: FREE! | San Mateo County Event Center | 1346 Saratoga Drive, San Mateo, CA
Come enjoy the floats, bands & activities at the perfect event to kick-off summer! The parade will begin at Franklin Parkway, then continues along Delaware Street, and ends at the Fair. A perfect family activity for a fun Weekend Lineup Saturday afternoon!
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Will you be attending any of these Weekend Lineup Bay Area/SF events? What other SF events are you excited about? Let us know in the comments below or on Facebook and Twitter!
ABCey Presents: Planning & Promoting Your Event with Pinterest
Here at ABCey, we are constantly using Pinterest as a tool for inspiration! As social media has become key for promoting events online, Pinterest is an effective tool in brainstorming and behind-the-scenes planning for events. Being able to make multiple boards and research through relevant content inspires creativity and organization when planning any kind of event!
Find “Pinspiration”
Decorating for events can be the most fun, but challenging part of your event. Decorations and little details tie the event together from start to finish. Whether you’re looking for table setting ideas or invitation inspiration, Pinterest is the perfect tool to start gathering pins. Start pinning!
Organize Your Boards in Categories For Your Event
It’s time to start pulling together every new idea you find in the Pinterest universe onto your own board. This can be done on your own personal page or on the official board for your organization, corporation, nonprofit, etc. Additionally, your boards can be organized by food, decorations, invitations, themes, florals etc.
Interaction with Vendors & Clients
First, as boards are created, the link can be shared with others, whether or not they have an account.We often create event decor boards for our clients, and then share them directly for feedback to make sure we are on the right track. Pinterest also makes it possible to identify other Pinners with similar needs and tastes. Therefore, by liking, pinning and commenting on other posts, you can connect to Pinners with similar interests and build ideas. In addition, if you both follow each other, you can use the private messaging feature to start a more in-depth collaboration.
Read the Crafting/DIY/How-To Articles
Ultimately, Pinterest is known for having some of the best creative content out there. Clicked on pins reconnect you to an article or webpage to show you where the Pin came from. Take advantage of these articles as they provide some great insight on how to make your own projects or decor!
Promote Your Event on Pinterest
Pinterest gears towards connecting everyone to content and ideas that align with their interests and passions. You can even use your own board to actually promote your event which also gives you a chance to start marketing your original content, creating brand awareness and media attention. It is a very visual platform, so choosing compelling photographs & visuals with bright colors will bring your event board more success!
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Love Pinterest and want some event inspiration? Check our Pinterest page for creative event ideas! Let us know how you use Pinterest in the comments below or on Facebook and Twitter!
Sources: EventFarm, Capterra, Hello Endless