BEHIND-THE-SCENES NYE PARTY: DAY DATE INC. X SLATE AT FOUNDERS TOWER
"24 hours to learn how to use a flash/speedlight, what could go wrong?"
Two days before New Year's Eve, I got a text from my girl, Sicilia. She hooked me up with Day Date Inc, a local marketing firm that needed a photographer for their NYE party. I mulled it over for a sec, weighing my options of chilling with Jack Jack (my little dog) when the clock struck midnight or being out there doing what I love - snapping photos. I went with the latter.
The only hiccup? This photography gig required using an on-camera flash/speedlight, and I don't own one and I'd never touched one before. Can you believe it? But hey, I'm always up for a challenge!
THE CHALLENGE: LEARNING TO USE A SPEEDLIGHT IN 24 HOURS
Never one to shy away from a challenge and an opportunity to grow in my craft, I eagerly embraced the job. I reached out to my friend Charlie, who happens to be the absolute best, and borrowed a flash and lens from him. Seeking advice from Charlie and my friend Renata, I also scoured YouTube and Google for any nuggets of wisdom on using speedlights. Let me tell you, the next 24 hours on this accelerated journey was filled with experiments on Jack Jack (who wasn't amused), a few moments of panic, and a whole lot of learning!
But come New Year's Eve, I was excited and ready to go.
THE PHOTOSHOOT THEME: LUX NYE IN OKC
THE LOCATION: SLATE AT THE FOUNDERS TOWER
Soaring high above the hustle and bustle of Oklahoma City is Slate at The Founders Tower. Let me tell you, this place was absolutely perfect for an upscale NYE bash! With its stunning rooftop lounge and sweeping views of the OKC skyline, this venue is sexy. They recently gave it a makeover with sleek hues, giving off a modern and luxurious vibe that added an extra touch of glamour to the NYE party theme.
THE VIBE: LIVING LIFE + CELEBRATING THE NEW YEAR
Joy and happiness reigned supreme that night. Everyone was dressed to impress, with each outfit reflecting their personal style and unique vision for the new year. The atmosphere was electric as party-goers sipped on champagne, signature house drinks, and danced to music provided by a live DJ. It truly felt like one big celebration of life and the possibilities that lay ahead in the new year.
BEHIND THE LENS: THE PHOTOGRAPHY PROCESS
THE PHOTOGRAPHY EQUIPMENT: CAMERA, LENSES, AND LIGHTING
Camera Body: My trusty Canon RP Mirrorless camera
Camera Lens: For this shoot, I used the Canon RF 28-70mm f/2.8 lens. I needed the low aperture value to let in as much light if necessary.
Lighting: YONGNUO YN560 IV Flash Speedlight
Other Equipment: I made sure to bring extra batteries for my camera and the flash too! No way was I gonna let my camera die right before the ball dropped at midnight on NYE.
THE CAMERA SETTINGS: SHUTTER SPEED, APERTURE AND ISO
I truly considered switching my camera settings to one of the Automatic modes, but opted to shoot in Manual mode as I always do. Because I controlled the light with my speedlight/flash, my settings stayed pretty much the same the whole night. Here's a breakdown of the settings I used:
Camera Settings:
White Balance: Flash
Shutter Speed: 1/125
Aperture: f/2.8 to let as much light in as possible in such a dark environment (f/5.6 group shots)
ISO: 400
Focal Length: I tired to stay around 70mm the whole time. But when I was in a really tight space, I would switch as wide as 28mm for group shots.
Speedlight Settings:
Mode: Manual (this flash I borrowed didn't have TTL auto mode)
Power Output: 1/64 or 1/32
Zoom: 70mm (to mirror my lens' focal length)
THE MAGIC REVEALED: TOP SHOTS OF THE NIGHT
Remember when I revealed that I didn't know how to use a camera flash/speedlight prior to accepting this job? Well, I have to say, for cramming for 24 hours, I'm pretty proud of the shots I got! The images turned out stunning and captured the essence of the NYE party perfectly. From candid moments to posed shots, each image tells a story and showcases the joy and excitement shared by all at this event. And my client, Day Date Inc. was super happy too! Woohoo!
I had such an incredible time once the night kicked off! I was so pumped that I hopped onto a chair beside the DJ and started dancing and snapping pictures too. It was an absolute blast, and I'm pumped to have picked up a new photography skill!
Here are some of my top shots from the night:
AND THAT'S A WRAP: ONTO THE NEXT CHALLENGE!
From learning a new photography technique to capturing unforgettable moments at an epic NYE party, this behind-the-scenes experience was seriously one for the books! I'm beyond excited for opportunities like this that not only let me level up my craft but also connect with amazing people and create awesome memories. Huge shoutout to Day Date Inc. for trusting me to capture their luxurious NYE party - here's to many more challenges and successes in the future, my friends!
As I dive into the new year, I can't wait for more epic challenges, personal growth, and unforgettable experiences. Who knows what other cool photography skills I'll pick up along the way, right? Bring it on because "school is never out for the pro!" Here's to living life to the fullest and capturing every amazing moment with a camera in hand!
Until next time, keep snapping photos and chasing your passions! And remember, it's never too late to learn something new and take on a challenge. Who knows where it might lead you? Happy snapping!
XOXO Melissa "Mel" Drake
#LetsMakeMagicTogether #MelDrakePhotography
QUICK REFERENCES:
Photography:
Melissa “Mel” Drake (Mel Drake Photography)
Clients:
Locations:
Slate at Founders Tower - Instagram | 5900 Mosteller Dr, 20th Floor, Oklahoma City, OK 73112
Equipment:
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