The Truth Behind the Photo Montage

Photo montages aren’t our most popular offering, but we do get a decent amount of requests for them each month. Although it seems many people don’t know how to do them/show them properly. Let me give you the run down on what you can expect when you want to show pictures or a DVD at your event.

You have two options to play back your media (DVD, pictures or powerpoint), a plasma screen and a projection screen. Most of the time, the projection screen is what comes to mind first. And that is, 90% of the time, the wrong option*. Here’s why.

Projection screens offer a big viewing area and that’s about the best thing they offer. The screen itself takes up a huge footprint, so it disrupts the visual layout of the room. With a projection screen, you need a projector, which means you need, on average, about 10-12 feet in front of or behind the screen. Usually people use a pull down screen, which means when you are ready to show your media, someone is going to have to pull the screen down, set up the projector and run all of the cables. All this while guests are enjoying their dinner and wondering what’s going on. Not what most people want to have happen at their event. When the presentation is done, it all has to be moved, or worse, come down!

Instead, we suggest plasma screens. Two screens is perfect for about 225-250 people. They take up a very small footprint, look visually appealing and allow for instant viewing and no setup time. It is the best option for any type of playback.

Here are the different options we have done at events:
-2 plasma screens, one on either side of the ballroom for playback of picture slide show, DVD or ambient DVD’s.
-Screen set up during cocktail hour for video playback on loop.
-Photographers using the screens to show the pictures they shot throughout the day.
-Instead of projecting your monogram on the floor in lighting, use the screens to display it.
-The plasma bar! Use this as a specialty drink bar and your guests will rave for a long time!



*For many corporate events, projection screens are the best option. We are simply talking about social events in a typical venue that holds 200-300 people. Please speak with Matt or Kelly for more information.

-Jason

{Video} Lighting at Holly Hedge Estate

{Video} Lighting at Deerfield Country Club

Kristie and Lester

This wedding had it all! From the soft red up lighting , to the dance floor wash and monogram, to the LCD screens for a slide show presentation, it was awesome. We worked at Deerfield Golf Club, an absolutely incredible place to light and DJ. Steve and the staff there really work with us - they understand that it isn’t all about them and that all of the professionals are there to make the day perfect for the bride and groom. One of the really interesting things we did with this wedding was let the photographer use the screens. They edited their pictures throughout the night, so that the guests could see the pictures that were taken during the day while they were eating. They were all very impressed. Steve Newbert of AOV productions was able to use the screens for live video transmission, always a crowd pleaser. And let’s not forgot about the DJ’ing ... 300 people at a wedding means there is going to be some serious dancing. And boy did they dance. Old school hip hop, some R & B and a few current tracks kept them at the same place the whole night, the dance floor! Make sure to check out the video blog we did a few months back on this event as well. And a big thanks to Rodrick Moore Photography for the images.

-Jason

Natalie and John

Natalie and John had a beautiful wedding in Cape May, New Jersey. Their ceremony took place on the beach, followed by a reception at Hotel Alcott. They had a beautiful day and it was captured by Marc Matteo of Marc Anthony Photography. Jason and Justin were the DJ's for the nice and they also did the up lighting, dance floor wash and plasma screens.

-Becky

Alison and Troy

Alison and Troy were married last month at Holly Hedge. They had a beautiful ceremony and reception - Jason DJ'd both and we provided the plasmas and did the up lighting. We recently received a lovely letter from Alison's father, Steve, that I'd like to share.

"This note is overdue. We wanted to thank you again for the fantastic work you and your assistant did with the wedding and reception. Your performance as master of ceremonies was just as we had hoped it would be when we started planning the event.

The red up lighting absolutely made the room. We can’t imagine what it would have looked like if we hadn’t done it. It was so dramatic and it created such warmth in the room. The still pictures look beautiful with the lighting in the background. We can’t wait to see what it did for the video.

Speaking of video, the clip during the father/daughter dance came out perfect. It was the hit of the evening. We got so many compliments and many of the men commented that they had gotten 'misty' eyed. Thank you for your kind words after it was over. It was the moment we had planned for so long and it clearly exceeded our expectations.

Overall, every one of the people involved in the making this wedding either met or exceeded our expectations. But we really believe you and Albie were the keys to it. You two work so well together.

Once more, thank you for doing such a wonderful job and making the only major event of our lives such a success. We will never forget it.

With warm regards,
Ellie and Steve"

Ellie and Steve, we're so glad you were pleased with our services. It was a beautiful wedding and we're so glad we could be a part of such an important time in your lives. We wish you, Alison and Troy all the best!

Here is a video clip of the father/daughter dance that Steve mentioned in his letter. While Alison and Steve were dancing, playing on the plasmas was video of the two of them dancing together at an event when she was 7. Thanks so much to Steve Newbert at All Occasion Video for the clip!

New equipment

Well, they finally came in. We recently got a new fleet of 46 inch LCD screens. They are beautiful! They're bright, HD and have an incredibly small edge - they're one of the best screens on the market today. We used them this past Sunday and they provided the WOW factor the bride was looking for. Our plasma inventory is ready to rock! Have you booked them for your event?

-Becky

Jessica and Dominic

Jessica and Dominic had a beautiful reception at the Crystal Tea Room on July 4th. Kurt and Kyle DJ'd their reception and we also did the lighting. We uplit the room, pin spotted the tables, did their monogram and provided the big screen that showed their photo montage throughout the night. Jessica and Dominic provided their guests with sparklers for a beautiful send off at the end of the night.

Thank you so much for allowing us to be a part of your special day and we wish you all the best!

Thanks to Chris Hensel Photography for the beautiful images below.

-Becky

Photo montages

Of our offerings, photo montages aren’t the most popular, but we do get a handful of requests for them each month. I think one of the reason’s they aren’t as popular as they could be is because most people just aren’t sure how to properly show them. Here’s a rundown of your options and what you can expect when you choose to show pictures or a DVD at your reception.

You have two options to play back your media (a DVD, pictures or powerpoint); a plasma screen or a projection screen. For many people, the projection screen is what comes to mind first. And, 90% of the time, it is the wrong option. Here’s why.

Projection screens offer a large viewing area, but that is about the only positive to them when it comes to photo montages. The screen itself takes up a huge footprint, so it can disrupt the visual layout of the room. With a projection screen, comes a projector, which means you need, on average, about 10 feet to 12 feet in front of or behind the screen so your media can be properly projected. Many venues have pull down screens, which means when you’re ready to show your slideshow, someone has to pull the screen down, set up the projector and run all the cables. All this while guests are enjoying their dinner and wondering what’s going on, not what most people want to have happen during their event. When the presentation is done, it all has to be moved or taken down.

Instead, we generally suggest plasma screens for your photo montages. Two screens are perfect for about 225-250 guests. They take up a very small footprint, visually fit into the room layout, and allow for instant viewing with no setup time. It is the best option for any type of playback.

Here are some of the different ways we've used plasmas at events:

-2 plasma screens, one on either side of the ballroom, DJ or dance floor

Jennifer Childress Photography

-1 screen set up during cocktail hour

-Plasma screens for your photographer to show the pictures they shot throughout the day.

James Michael Photography

-Instead of projecting your monogram on the floor or wall, use the screens to display it

Tom Welsh Photography

-Place a plasma at the entrance to your reception to welcome your guests!

-The plasma bar! Use this as a specialty drink bar or candy buffet table so your guests can relive the days moments and journey through your relationship while waiting for a drink or getting a treat!

Dollface Studio

-Jason

Synergetic in The Knot, New Jersey Magazine

Last September we were asked to participate in The Knot's South Jersey Vendor party at Currents, The Ballroom at Adventure Aquarium. We uplit the ballroom in blue, fitting for a room with a view into a 550,000 gallon shark tank, did break ups and "The Knot" logo on the dance floor, provided a plasma TV as well as our Plasma Bar. It was a great night for event professionals in both the Philadelphia and South Jersey areas. Check out a slide show of images from the night here, or pick up the Spring/Summer 09 issue of The Knot, New Jersey for more information on the evenings participants.

The pictures below are courtesy of Dollface Studio. Thanks ladies!

-Becky

Lauren and Mike

Lauren and Mike were married on Valentine's day and had a beautiful reception at Cairnwood Mansion. Matt and kyle kept the party going - everyone seemed to have a great time. Congratulations Lauren and Mike, we wish you all the best!

Here are some photos of their big day courtesy of Jim, James Michael, The Art of Photogprahy.

-Becky

Rachel and Chris

Rachel and Chris were married on November 1 and had a beautiful reception at Celebrations. They brought their parents into the room beforehand and everyone was thrilled! Rachel was a beautiful bride and she looked so happy! The guests had a wonderful time dancing and Matt kept the dance floor busy all night. Rachel and Chris are a wonderful, fun couple and we wish them all the best!

The beautiful images below are courtesy of Yesterday and Today Photography, thanks Pam!

-Becky