A while back I mentioned that out of all of the photographers in the city of Chicago, I was the one asked to photograph the 2008 NICE Awards. (NICE stands for NACE, ISES Catering Executives). NACE and ISES are two national catering professional societies which have local chapters. Each year they give awards for the best events. Anyway, I had the honor of being the official photographer.

A place setting

An appetizer (it was good!)

This year’s theme was the Nature of NICE and here are Water and Fire!

A look at the room

Behind the head table

Desert! YUM!

Earlier this evening I attended the NACE Chicago meeting at the new Muvico theater in Rosemont. Like everybody else in attendance, I was wowed. The theater is amazing. Beyond the 18 screens, there is so much more. When you walk in the building is impressive. It is stylish and nicely decorated.

What is different about this theater? A lot. Let’s start with upstairs. There is a full service table restaurant and bar. You have to be 21 in order to go upstairs. But is does not end there. Some of the theaters allow you to bring your food and beverage right into the show. Have children you can’t bring upstairs — no problem. There is on-site babysitting for children 3-10 years old. Older kids can enjoy the teen room or see their own movie while their parents are upstairs.

Another feature of the Muvico, are the two party rooms which are available to host birthday parties. Depending on the what you want, it can cost $15-$23 per child which does include admission to a movie! The teen room, bar and restaurant can also be used for private events. It is quite a setup.

The Teen Center

Concession Stand

Tuesday afternoon, I received a call from FleetMatics in Boston to book me for their annual sales award banquet which was held last night at the Hyatt Regency hotel in Schaumburg. Once again, it was not my typical event but a nice change of pace. The evening got off to a strange start becuase some of the people flying in from Boston had to be rerouted due to cancelled flights. So after delaying the start of the evening by an hour, the party began. It was cocktails followed by dinner and then the awards.

The biggest award went to the salesman of the year. After the award he was asked to speak and said “The bitter taste of poor quality lingers long after the sweetness of a good price is long gone.” I’ve never heard it put this way. But it is so true in many things we purchase. For manytimes, quality and price are mutually exclusive.

Appetizers!

Deserts!

One of the awards

Last month, I spoke to the Illinois Videographer Association, IVA about business planning. It amazes me how many photographers and videographers fail to understand their business. They may be great artists but fail because they don’t know what they are doing. Anyway, earlier this evening I was back at IVA taking headshots.

Next month I understand that Bill Brennan of Bridal Expo Chicago will speak about marketing to the wedding industry. I think that with all of the time I’m spending at IVA, my photographer friends might think I’m being seduced by the dark side!

Earlier today I received a call from the NICE Awards committee. While it would have been great to be nominated for an award, that’s not why they were calling. Out of all of the photographers in the Chicago area, I was being asked to be the official photographer for the award banquet.

For those of you who don’t know. The NICE Awards are given to event coordinators and the like who are members of NACE and ISES for outstanding events. As the official photographer, my work will been seen by many of Chicagoland’s best event planners. Check back in late March to see photos of the event.

Tonight’s shoot was a little different for me and a bit sad. I was called upon to photograph Daisy, an 11 year old yellow lab who is not expected to live too much longer. In many ways she reminded me of Merlin, our yellow lab who passed away several years ago. Photographing kids and animals can be a challenge under the best of circumstances. But Daisy was not alone. There were 3 more yellow labs who joined the photo session. It was fun and utter chaos!

Daisy

Daisy and her 3 girls

Every so often as a photographer, I get to do something different, fun or cool. The other day was just such a day. I was called by the folks over at the Schaumburg Convention Center to take some trade show photos. I got to see a side of the convention center that most people never get to see. Notice that doorway circled in red in the first photo. Well, I got to climb a three story ladder to reach that door. Not difficult, unless you are holding a $2500 camera, with a $1000 lens attached to it in your hand as you climb up the ladder. I was up there in order to take the 2nd photo.