Capturing the Energy: The 2026 Lumen Awards at Pier Sixty



There is a powerful synergy that happens when meticulous event production meets raw, unfiltered celebration. As an event photographer, my goal is never just to document who was in the room it’s to capture exactly what it felt like to be there.



This past month, I had the incredible privilege of photographing the 2026 Lumen Awards at Pier Sixty in Chelsea Piers. Celebrating excellence in lighting design, the evening was a masterclass in atmosphere, blending sophisticated gala elegance with an absolute powerhouse of an after-party.


The evening kicked off inside the stunning, expansive ballroom at Pier Sixty. Documenting a large-scale awards dinner requires an eye for both the room's grand scale and the intimate moments shared at the tables. From the ambient blue hues washing over the dining floor to the collective applause echoing across the tables, the atmosphere was charged with anticipation and prestige.


When photographing formal  events, my approach is always polished, intentional, and unobtrusive. It’s about capturing the authentic connections, the shared laughs over dinner, and the pristine details the organizers spent months curating.


But a great event doesn't stop when the awards are handed out. The real magic happens when the formalities fade, the disco balls start spinning, and the dance floor comes alive. My favorite part!


The Lumen Awards after-party was an absolute explosion of joy, color, and personality. From guests sporting glowing accessories and literal feather crowns to triumphant award-winners celebrating on the dance floor, the energy was magnetic.



Woman holding a Lumen sign at a registration desk during a corporate event.
Bartender pouring a cocktail into a glass at a bar with bottles and drinks in the background.
Server holding a tray with Negroni Dusk cocktails and cookbook at an elegant event.
Guests in sequin dresses selecting elegant appetizers from a black tray at a glamorous catered event.
A server holds a wooden tray with white bowls filled with assorted breaded appetizers at a catered event.
Four guests smile together at the LUMEN IESNYC After Glow gala event, dressed in elegant formal attire.
Server offers hors d'oeuvres on a tray to guests at an elegant cocktail reception event.
Three men smile and hold drinks at a Lumen After Dark event, dressed in suits at an upscale venue.
Elegant appetizers served in crispy wonton cups on a sesame seed tray, garnished with fresh vegetables.
Two smiling men in festive attire toasting drinks at an elegant party event.
Four elegantly dressed guests pose together at an outdoor waterfront event on a sunny day.
Three guests smiling together on a waterfront pier at an outdoor evening event with city skyline views.
A smiling server in black attire holds a tray of elegant appetizers with decorative picks at a catered event.
Three men smiling and holding drinks at a sophisticated networking event.
Three elegantly dressed guests pose together smiling at a formal gala event with blue lighting.
Two men in suits smile and hold drinks at an elegant evening reception with guests mingling in background.
Five women in elegant attire pose together on a waterfront pier during a sunny outdoor event.
Two men posing at an indoor gala, one wearing a Knicks hat and sports jersey, holding wine glasses.
Smiling couple holds wine glasses and poses together at a festive evening cocktail party.
Five women smile and hold drinks at an elegant outdoor social event.
A smiling woman with tattoos in a floral dress holds a cocktail beside a man in sunglasses at a social event.
Two men smile together at a gala, one wearing a bold yellow blazer and the other a rust-colored jacket.
Group of seven elegantly dressed guests smiling and holding drinks at a formal evening gala event.
Two guests smiling at a formal evening event with Lumen signage in the background.
Three elegantly dressed guests posing together at an outdoor waterfront evening event with city views.
Three women in elegant attire smile and hold drinks at an outdoor rooftop social event.
A couple smiles at an outdoor waterfront event, woman holding a cocktail, city skyline visible in background.
Professionals networking at a formal corporate event, holding drinks and engaging in conversation in a modern venue.
Four women pose together smiling at an outdoor waterfront party on a sunny day holding drinks.
Three women pose together at an indoor gala event, one wearing a sparkling blue sequin outfit.
Six formally dressed guests posing together at a sophisticated evening reception with elegant venue lighting.
Large elegant gala event with formally dressed guests mingling in a spacious well-lit venue.
Three young women smile and hold drinks together at an elegant evening party event.
Four friends pose together smiling at an upscale indoor evening social event or gala.
Guests holding wine glasses being filled with white wine at a busy outdoor bar with bottles on display.
Couple smiling together at an outdoor waterfront event on a sunny evening, man holding a champagne glass.
A couple in formal black attire converse on a waterfront terrace during an evening gala event.
Three men smile and hold wine glasses at an outdoor rooftop event with a blue sky backdrop.
Two women in stylish dresses smile together on a sunny waterfront pier at a social event.
Three elegantly dressed guests take a selfie on a waterfront terrace with a city skyline backdrop at a formal evening event.
Elegant navy blue table setting with plated salads and crystal glassware at a formal dinner.
A woman in a floral dress poses for a photo at an elegant evening gala with blue balloons.
Two guests shake hands across a formal dinner table set with wine glasses and plated meals at a gala.
Man reading a glossy magazine at a formal dinner table with blue tablecloth and plated meals.
Two guests share a warm embrace at a formal banquet dinner event with seating chart visible.
Two women smile and embrace warmly while seated at a formal banquet dinner event.
Guests raise wine glasses in a toast over plated dinner at an elegant blue-lit gala event.
Guests in formal attire review event programs at a elegantly set dinner table during a gala fundraiser.
Three guests laugh and converse at table 62 during a formal gala dinner with live violin performance.
Smiling woman in floral dress holding a drink at a blue-lit gala dinner event.
Performer in colorful outfit stands on stage surrounded by glowing white spherical light props.
Speaker presenting on stage at a corporate event in a gray suit with audience seated in background.
Woman in black dress presents on stage with decorative balloons at an indoor evening gala event.
Man in gray suit dances energetically on stage at a corporate gala event with colorful balloons and lighting.
Six award recipients stand on stage together at the LUMEN IESNYC gala awards ceremony.
Five people on a stage at an awards ceremony, one speaking into a microphone at an indoor event.
Four men on stage at the Lumen Awards ceremony, with two shaking hands during a formal presentation.
A silhouetted DJ performs beneath glowing LUMEN IESNYC neon signs in a darkened venue.
A server holds a tray of chocolate espressotini desserts at a catered event.
Elegant dessert table display with assorted pastries and treats illuminated by blue event lighting.
A man in a tan blazer and striped tie poses with a woman in a floral dress at a nighttime event.
A performer in a sparkly dress and white boots dances on a blue-lit stage.
Large group of elegantly dressed people posing together at an outdoor nighttime formal event.
Excited man in gray suit celebrates with raised arms surrounded by dancing guests at a gala party.
Excited man in gray suit celebrates winning a trophy at an awards event with friends cheering beside him.
Large group poses together on an outdoor terrace at night with city views.
A large group of elegantly dressed guests pose together smiling at a formal evening gala event.
Guests in formal attire dancing energetically on a colorful illuminated dance floor at a gala.
Female singer performs passionately in black dress under a glittering disco ball at a glamorous evening event.
Guests dance energetically on a colorfully lit dance floor at a lively gala after-party.
Two women dancing joyfully at a lively evening gala with sparkling decorations.
Group of seven friends posing together at a formal gala event, dressed in elegant attire.
Four colleagues smile together at a networking event with a soccer match playing on a large screen behind them.
A couple dances together under green and blue lights on a crowded gala dance floor.
Guests dance and celebrate under green lights and a disco ball at a lively evening party.
Four women in glamorous attire pose together smiling on a festive gala dance floor.
A man dances joyfully holding a white fan under a disco ball at a vibrant gala party.
Two women smiling and posing together at an upscale evening social event.
Two guests dance and celebrate energetically under purple lighting at a lively evening gala event.
Three men celebrating and dancing energetically at a nightclub party event.
Man dancing under disco ball holding cocktail at an upscale indoor evening party celebration.
Three men celebrate enthusiastically on a dance floor, raising hands and holding drinks at a party.
Energetic crowd dancing at a vibrant nightclub event with purple lighting and confetti falling.
People dancing and celebrating at a lively nightclub party with blue ambient lighting.
Two people dancing energetically at a nightclub party, man in white suit and woman in black sequin dress under blue lights.
Three people laughing and dancing at a formal event, with blue star-lit backdrop and festive atmosphere.

Let’s Elevate Your Next NYC Event


Whether you are planning a big event, an industry awards ceremony, or an immersive brand experience in New York City, your event deserves to be remembered exactly as it felt. You deserve imagery that showcases both the pristine professionalism of your brand and the vibrant energy of your community.

I love telling the complete story of your evening, from the first quiet cocktail to the very last song on the dance floor.

Planning an event in NYC? Let’s connect and bring your vision to life!