NYC Gala Photographer

Riccardi Media is an NYC gala photographer for charity galas, foundation fundraisers, awards dinners, corporate recognition programs, and black-tie evening events. Documented coverage includes the Broadcasters Foundation of America gala at The Plaza Hotel Grand Ballroom. 30+ years and 2,000+ events on the lens; $200–$300/hr or flat-rate full-event packages. Same-night press selects available for donor email programs and foundation PR. Familiar territory includes Cipriani, Apella, Manhatta, and the Javits Center alongside The Plaza. Contact Greg Riccardi at (201) 528-5068 or greg@riccardimedia.com.

What we cover

Charity gala and foundation fundraiser photography — donor experience and program coverage
Red-carpet arrivals and step-and-repeat coverage with dedicated lane
Awards dinner and recognition program photography
Black-tie evening event coverage at NYC tier-1 venues
Same-night press selects for donor email programs and foundation PR
Low-light ballroom photography calibrated for chandelier-lit venues
Coordinated photo + video crews for full gala documentation
Sponsor signage and step-and-repeat compliance capture

Frequently asked questions

What kinds of NYC galas do you cover?

Charity galas, foundation fundraisers, awards dinners, corporate recognition programs, industry galas, society events, and the kind of black-tie evening programs that need both formal coverage and the kind of guest experience photography that supports donor communications. The Plaza Hotel BFOA gala we documented is the case study format we work from.

Do you have experience with low-light ballroom photography?

Yes. NYC gala ballrooms are chandelier-lit, warm in color temperature, and unevenly distributed. Our gear and approach are calibrated for that environment specifically — minimum-flash bounce work, exposure ratios that respect the room's ambient, and coverage decisions that work with the venue's lighting design rather than against it.

Can you handle red-carpet arrivals and step-and-repeat coverage?

Yes. Red-carpet arrivals are a discipline of their own — controlled lighting, named-guest capture, sponsor/step-and-repeat compliance, and rapid file turnaround for PR. We staff arrivals coverage as a separate lane with a dedicated photographer and editor so the program team has named guest photos before guests are seated.

What's included in a gala photography package?

Arrivals and step-and-repeat coverage, cocktail hour candids, seated dinner documentation, stage and program moments (keynotes, awards, honorees, host moments), guest experience and table photography, sponsor signage capture, and venue/décor detail shots. Every image is professionally edited, color-graded, and delivered through a curated online gallery within 5–7 business days.

Can you deliver same-night photos for press and social media?

Yes. For high-profile galas with same-night press releases, social-content distribution, or donor follow-up email programs, we station a dedicated on-site editor who processes and delivers select images while the gala is still running. Common request for foundation events with a Monday-morning donor email already on the calendar.

Do you photograph galas at specific NYC venues?

Yes — we have documented experience at The Plaza Hotel Grand Ballroom (Broadcasters Foundation of America), and regularly work Cipriani, Apella, Manhatta, the Javits Center, and other tier-1 NYC gala venues. Each venue has its own production realities; we plan coverage to the venue rather than the other way around.

Can you provide video alongside photography for galas?

Yes. Most of our gala engagements pair a photographer with a videographer working coordinated lanes — one team handles arrivals and reception while the other establishes ballroom positions for the program. Highlight reels, sizzle videos, donor-impact films, and full-event recordings are all available as add-ons.

What's the rate for a NYC gala?

NYC gala photography is $200–$300 per hour, with full-event evening packages typically quoted flat — usually better value than hourly for galas that run 5+ hours. Photo-plus-video packages are quoted based on program length, crew size, and any same-night editing or social-content needs.

What our clients say

"We have had the pleasure of working with this photographer for multiple events, including our Long Island Walk and Gala, and he consistently exceeds expectations. The quality of his photos is spectacular, professional, vibrant, and beautifully composed. What impresses us even more is his fast turnaround time. We receive edited photos quickly without any compromise in quality, which is invaluable for event promotion and follow-up communications."
— Molly Edrich, Long Island Walk and Gala

Contact Riccardi Media: Greg Riccardi · (201) 528-5068 · greg@riccardimedia.com · 5 Myrtle Rd, East Brunswick, NJ 08816 · 30+ years of corporate event photography and videography in NJ and NYC.