When RMR Wealth Builders reached out about photographing their company awards dinner at The High Lawn in West Orange, NJ, I knew we were in for something special. Corporate event photography is about more than just documenting an evening. It’s about capturing the genuine connections between team members, the pride in recognition moments, and the culture that makes a company thrive. This awards ceremony at one of Northern New Jersey’s premier venues delivered all of that and more.

The Venue: Why The High Lawn Excels for Corporate Events

The High Lawn stands out among Northern New Jersey corporate event venues. Located at 1 Crest Drive in West Orange, this venue combines Old World elegance with modern event capabilities. The property sits atop the Watchung Mountains, offering stunning views of the New York City skyline and surrounding Essex County landscape.

The main ballroom provided the perfect setting for the RMR Wealth Builders awards dinner. High ceilings with exposed beams create an open, sophisticated atmosphere. Crystal chandeliers add elegance without overwhelming the space. Large arched windows with black frames provide natural architectural interest and frame those spectacular mountain views.

The High Lawn’s neutral color palette – cream walls, white trim, and natural wood tones – creates an ideal canvas for event styling. This matters tremendously for corporate event photography. The venue doesn’t compete with your décor or branding. Instead, it enhances whatever design direction you choose.

What sets The High Lawn apart is the professional event staff who understand corporate event flow and work seamlessly with photographers. The result is an evening where photography can focus on people and moments rather than logistical challenges.

Cocktail Hour: Setting the Tone

I arrived during the cocktail hour to capture those early networking moments that often define corporate events. There’s something authentic about photographing people as they first arrive. The genuine greetings. The relaxed conversations before the formal program begins. The approximately 60 attendees from RMR Wealth Builders created a warm, collegial atmosphere that came through clearly in the images.

The cocktail hour setup featured an impressive display of appetizers and beverages, thoughtfully styled with seasonal greenery and elegant presentations. These details matter in corporate event photography because they tell the complete story of the evening’s experience. RMR Wealth Builders clearly invested in creating a memorable experience from the moment guests arrived.

The energy during cocktail hour was exactly what you want. Colleagues reconnecting. Leaders engaging authentically with their teams. The kind of interaction that happens when people genuinely enjoy working together.

Table Settings and Décor: Elegance in Every Detail

The table settings showcased a sophisticated color palette of burgundy, blush, and gold accents. Each round table featured floral centerpieces combining roses, seasonal blooms, and winter greenery in gold compote vessels. The place settings included burgundy napkins with delicate floral ties, gold flatware, and multiple wine glasses. Details that elevated the formal dinner atmosphere.

Blue place cards marked each seat, and gold votive candles added warmth throughout the room. The overall design created an upscale yet approachable environment perfect for celebrating team achievements.

The presentation materials were professionally designed and strategically placed. A large screen displayed award information clearly. Physical award plaques were positioned for easy viewing. Everything about the setup communicated that this recognition mattered.

The Awards Presentations: Capturing Recognition Moments

The heart of any awards ceremony photography is capturing those recognition moments authentically. RMR Wealth Builders presented several awards throughout the evening:

• The Always Growing Award
• The Change Maker Award
• The Driving Success Award
• Living By Our Values Award
• Additional company recognitions

The formal presentations captured the professionalism of the RMR Wealth Builders leadership team. Company leaders took time to explain what each award represented. Why it mattered. Why this particular recipient earned the recognition. These contextual moments add tremendous value to corporate event photography because they document not just the what, but the why.

Each presentation was photographed to capture both the formal handshake moment and the genuine reactions from recipients and their colleagues. The pride in a recipient’s expression. The supportive applause from teammates. The congratulatory handshakes afterward. These are the images that end up on office walls and company websites. They need to convey both professionalism and authentic emotion.

Planning a corporate awards dinner or team recognition event in Northern New Jersey? Professional event photography ensures these moments are documented with clarity, professionalism, and authenticity. Contact Alex Kaplan Photography to discuss coverage for your upcoming corporate event.

Team Photography: Organized Efficiency

Between the awards and dinner service, we efficiently captured several staged group photos:

• All company directors together
• Corporate office staff
• Individual department and team groupings

The key to successful corporate team photography is working quickly and efficiently while still ensuring everyone looks their best. We positioned groups near optimal lighting. Gave clear direction. Captured multiple frames to ensure we had perfect shots for each configuration.

The teams were clearly comfortable with each other. That genuine camaraderie makes group photography much easier. When people actually like working together, it shows in the images.

Real Moments, Real Connections

What distinguished this event was the genuine camaraderie throughout the evening. The laughter during the team photos. The supportive applause during award presentations. The animated conversations during dinner.

Technical Approach for Corporate Events

Professional business event photography requires adapting to various lighting conditions throughout an evening. I shot with multiple camera bodies to ensure backup coverage and worked discreetly to capture candid moments without disrupting program flow. For formal presentations and team photos, I used off-camera lighting to ensure professional results.

Deliverables: Professional Results

All images were color-corrected and lightly retouched to professional standards before delivery. The final gallery was provided via both a download link for immediate access and a permanent online gallery for long-term reference.

Why Corporate Event Photography Matters

Events like the RMR Wealth Builders awards dinner serve multiple purposes beyond the evening itself. Professional photography creates assets for:

• Internal communications and culture building
• Recruitment and talent attraction materials
• Social media and marketing content
• Website updates showcasing company values
• Employee recognition programs
• Future event planning and promotion

Working with RMR Wealth Builders

Geraldine Martin and the RMR Wealth Builders team were excellent to work with throughout the planning and execution process. Clear communication about timing, key moments to capture, and group photo requirements made the evening run smoothly.

When a corporate client provides detailed information and clear communication, it allows me to focus entirely on delivering exceptional images.

The High Lawn: A Strong Venue Partner

For companies planning corporate events in Northern New Jersey, this venue delivers consistent results. The location provides easy access from throughout the tri-state area. The views add visual interest to reception coverage. Multiple event spaces accommodate both intimate gatherings and large-scale celebrations.

Corporate Photography Investment

Professional corporate event photography serves as both immediate documentation and long-term brand assets. The images from this awards dinner will be used by RMR Wealth Builders for years – in employee onboarding materials, on their website, in recruitment presentations, and in internal communications celebrating company culture.

Looking for a corporate event photographer for your company awards dinner, team celebration, or business gathering in West Orange, Northern New Jersey, or the tri-state area? I bring over 30 years of professional photography experience to corporate events. Your important moments get captured with both technical excellence and authentic storytelling. Contact Alex Kaplan Photography to discuss your upcoming corporate event photography needs.